Girl scouts...

[babibelli]

I'm thinking about putting Anna in Daisies when she turns 5. Anyone have positive/feedback about their experiences? I had a great time in scouts-but I'm not sure how things are these days...

[Queen Gwen]

Dd had a great time in Daisies. She was in a troop that met in a local grade school.

Then for Brownies she got in a special troop that was blended Brownies and Juniors, about half homeschoolers, lots of sisters in it together. It was totally different from her 1st group, and totally cool.

I think it just varies a lot according to the local leadership. Our experiences so far have been great.

[rozzie'sma]

I love girl scouts. I was a girl scout from kindergarten until high school. I still talk to my leaders and the girls from my troop. They were all at my baby shower. Do IT! I cannot wait until Rozzie is old enough for daisies. I have only been out for 5 years so things may have a changed but basically a lot of the experience depends the leader.

[TheJoyfulMom]

My oldest loves it. She is now a 2nd year Brownie. My middle daughter will be starting Daisies in the fall. She is so excited.

Do it! You can always pull her out if she doesn't like it.

[Brenoi]

Girl Scouts has been phenominal for our family. My daughter has been doing it for 7 years (She was one of the few pre-K Daisies - She did it for two years). Girl Scouts has helped her grow in herself. She is currently working on her Bronze award and with another girl, she is planning and putting on meetings for other troops where the girls make bottles of hope. The girls made a presentation in front of all the leaders to ask if they could come to their troops, the created fliers to explain what they are doing, they made contact and scheduled with the leaders, they presented the program, and soon will be delivering the bottles. The great thing about Scouting and homeschooling is that she and my son who is in Cub Scouts do so much "learning" without me having to say anything (actually I am my dd leader and my dh is my ds's leader - so I guess we say something, but you know what I mean). The kids find the activities fun and realavant and eagerly do what is needed.

BTW my dd is the only hs in our troop. There doesn't seem to be a problem.

Also, I am sure that their involvement and dedication to Scouting will help us when we get to college applications.

[Kontessa]

I love this thread!

We where invited to one of the last GS meeting of the year here by another homeschooling family. The mommy just happens to be the leader! They are the same faith we are, Pagan. It really helped to calm my worry and my daughter was taken right in by the other girls.

Sometimes I worry that my daughter is not much like other girls her age. No one would have thought so that day! It lightened my heart and my daughter found more friends.

We will be joining and I will smile even as I drive and hour to the meetings! -- Goddess forgive me the gas I will be using!

Blessings,
Kimmy

[ecochic]

finding a troop

Does anyone know how to find a local troop? My daughter doesnt go to public school so we dont have all the connections that others might have.

[adtake]

I started GS when I was 7 and am still a GS 26 years later. I am kinda bummed that I have 3 little boys, but I guess I will learn the world of Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.

We had so much fun in scouts!! One thing I rememeber specially doing is making special clothes for babies in the NICU. The entire scouting experience was so positive for me.

Like a PP said you can always pull her back out. And you can always look for another troop if the one she gets in doesnt fit for you.

I think you can look in the phone book under Girl Scouts, if not check online for your area.

Good luck!!
sandra

[mattemma04]

I met a mom at a local YMCA homeschool class that is planning to start a homeschool GS troop in August.She had her daughter in a few regular troops,and the issues she had were:

1.Exclusion of her dd by the other girls,and the troop leader seeing nothing wrong with it.

2.Not being able to bring along siblings.She has 2 other kids and another baby coming in July.

The main gs site can link you to a local dristrict,which you can call for numbers of local troop leaders.

I may be wrong but I think you only needed 5 kids in a group to create a troop. I am looking forward to a homeschool troop since I want to do many activities during the day,and not after public school hours.

I also have a 4yo ds with me,and I want him to be able to join in on the activities.A sitter for ds,or dropping dd off at a local public troop meeting is not really an option I would want.
Best wishes!

[mamasi]

I would say Girl Scouting was the most important experience growing up I had, both the troop and going to summer camp. At the time, it was especially great at introducing me to outdoor skills I would have never learned otherwise (how to use a jackknife, how to use an axe, how to cook over an open fire, how to lash branches together to make camp furniture, canoeing, sailing, backpacking). Some of that was at camp but some of it was also with the troop. It gave me tremendous self-confidence and was an antidote to the horrible time I was having in public school.

A lot does depend on the leader, but it can be a great experience.