Not to create a firestrom, but i would love to have my daughter join cub scouts and then boy scouts. when she goes with her brother she enjoys it greatly. She gets it. She would be a great scout and probably would make Eagle. We tried the GSA program but was not impress (let alone got the direct implications that Dad's were not welcome to be involved in leadership, serve as a laborer to haul cookies and gear, but not in any leadership capacityn), the organizational structure burdens the leader (no centralization like in cubs and BSA) and the most shocking of all (and i hope someone will tell me it is not so) was the % of profit from the cookies that goes to the girl scout troop. I know popcorn is pricely, but i can always look people straight in the face that buy it and tell them that 70%+ is coming back to the scouts (about 35%+ to council, and 35% to pack, and only 30%+ to manufacturer).I would like to confirm about the approimate 8-10% per box commission that i have heard goes back to a girl scout troop. If that is even remotely true, that is shameful.
I have ended up putting her in a church program called "Sparks". She seems to like it and enjoys going. Program seems to be well run and structured.
BSA should expand the program to girls, but that would cause a gender war and that's not a battle they would want. But isn't America about capitalism, therefore shouldn't the consumer (ie families) decide which program is best for their children.
I just can't stop myself from saying it: But with all the constant bickering/lawsuits that is made to
have women and girls equal access to traditional male programs, why is it that i get the feeling the prohibition on girls in the BSA originates more from the GSA than BSA?
Eagle Dad, Veteran Cubmaster, soon-to-be Scoutmaster for New Troop...Roy