Would you let your daughter join girl scouts?

annb · #1 Aug 26, '10, 9:06 am

My 5 year old wants to join Daisy girl scouts, since she knows how much fun her brother's cub scout meetings are.
Would you let her join, or not, and if not, could you please explain why?

OSUbride0708 · #2 Aug 26, '10, 9:24 am

I'm pretty sure the Girl Scouts give to Planned Parenthood. You might want to look into that if it's something that would impact your decision. I really struggle with stuff like that. Like for instance, ACS and Susan G. Komen give to PP, and while I know it's not necessarily because they support abortion but to help provide free early cancer screening services to those who can not afford them, I still have trouble supporting them. Since I now know that Girl Scouts supports PP, I don't think I would let my daughter join. Maybe it would be fun to take her and her friends camping or get some mom's and daughters together to do something fun as an alternative?
It's a personal decision.

KarenElissa · #3 Aug 26, '10, 9:45 am

As far as I can tell, GS doesn't "give" money to PP. Various councils have partnered with them to provide education to girls.

Girl Scouts seems to have, like many things, a different "flavor" depending on where in the country you live. Considering that the OP lives in a generally conservative area, I would have no problem letting my daughter be a GS, especially at such a young age. It will be years before anything controversial will be an issue, and at that point, just make sure you are aware of what is going on at the troop level. If you are part of a troop that generally has similar viewpoints as yourself, then it really shouldn't be a problem.

annb · #4 Aug 26, '10, 9:47 am

Just based on a few google articles, I don't see anything that puts their ties to planned parenthood at anything more than a rumor, other than an incident where some inappropriate pamphlets may have been handed out.

annb · #5 Aug 26, '10, 9:49 am

Karen--yea, they do meet at the Knight's of Columbus hall.

KarenElissa · #6 Aug 26, '10, 9:52 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by annb

Karen--yea, they do meet at the Knight's of Columbus hall.

Then it sounds like it would be a perfect fit!

I grew up in GS, went all the way through, and my mom is still a leader, even though both my sis and I are adults.

It was a good experience with TONS of great memories.

OSUbride0708 · #7 Aug 26, '10, 10:01 am

I just did a quick google and didn't go too far into it. That is why I said you may want to look into it.
This is the link I had found, and it looked to be old anyway: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1766116/posts

KarenElissa · #8 Aug 26, '10, 10:04 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSUbride0708

I just did a quick google and didn't go too far into it. That is why I said you may want to look into it.
This is the link I had found, and it looked to be old anyway: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1766116/posts

Ya, I looked and found a couple of sites that said they donated/supported PP, but no actual EVIDENCE.

annb · #9 Aug 26, '10, 10:14 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSUbride0708

I just did a quick google and didn't go too far into it. That is why I said you may want to look into it.
This is the link I had found, and it looked to be old anyway: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1766116/posts

Thanks, I looked at the website it referenced, and if I'm going to boycot girl scouts, it looks like a long list of things I would need to boycot including Disney and Whole Foods.

HeavenlyRoses · #10 Aug 26, '10, 10:23 am

Yes! Let your daughter be a Scout. My daughters have been in Scouts for 10 years and it's been so positive. The program is a progression of skills; as they grow older they take on more responsibility for planning and organizing. My oldest earned her Gold Award, which helped her get into a prestigious university.

Your daughter will have fun and make friends and learn a variety of skills.

Lil_M · #11 Aug 26, '10, 10:35 am

I was in Guides (the Canadian equivalent of Scouts) for 13 years and it was awesome. For sure I would enroll my daughter. We actually did a lot of "faith-based" activities like caroling for cans, badges related to religion, etc. I don't know if you could get away with that now

I hadn't heard anything about a PP connection but that wouldn't change my decision. It's difficult to avoid every organization/store that contributes or promotes abortion, sadly, but that's another thread.

Jea9 · #12 Aug 26, '10, 11:07 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSUbride0708

I'm pretty sure the Girl Scouts give to Planned Parenthood. You might want to look into that if it's something that would impact your decision. I really struggle with stuff like that. Like for instance, ACS and Susan G. Komen give to PP, and while I know it's not necessarily because they support abortion but to help provide free early cancer screening services to those who can not afford them, I still have trouble supporting them. Since I now know that Girl Scouts supports PP, I don't think I would let my daughter join. Maybe it would be fun to take her and her friends camping or get some mom's and daughters together to do something fun as an alternative?
It's a personal decision.

OSU...just wanted to clarify something because my husband and I struggle with this. I personally contacted Susan G. Komen and they said yes they give to PP so we don't have anything to do with them. But I had heard about ACS which REALLY worried me because my husband is on the Relay for Life committee and we're huge supporters. He contacted some people at the national level and what actually happened was that ONE branch of ACS (in some state, I'm thinking Ohio maybe?

can't remember the specific state) combined with PP for a specific tobacco cessation program in their area for pregnant women. They monitored how the funds were used and none went to abortion activities (granted, PP was still involved) but they have since not partnered with PP at all on anything and don't have plans to. Just FYI, if it bothers you, because it does us and we boycott what we can but ACS is good still.

As for Girl Scouts, I went to Cadet, and really enjoyed it. There are a lot of benefits. I don't know if I'd let our daughter join down here because of the people who run it, but if your area is good then I'd say go for it but be involved with her!

Scienceteach82 · #13 Aug 26, '10, 11:14 am

Yes. I loved it when I was younger! So many great memories and fun trips. I'm going to make sure my girls have the opportunity to join!

Emily2009 · #14 Aug 26, '10, 11:18 am

I would! I graduated from HS in 2009; I was a 13-year Girl Scout and completely my Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. The Gold Award was completed with a mission trip [with a group of other girls from my church who worked in collaberation on separate but fitting projects] to the island Grenada! I also did my project based on the Rosary. It was pretty cool!

Scott_Lafrance · #15 Aug 26, '10, 11:19 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by annb

My 5 year old wants to join Daisy girl scouts, since she knows how much fun her brother's cub scout meetings are.
Would you let her join, or not, and if not, could you please explain why?

Boy Scouts (and by association Cub Scouts) have a strong spiritual component to their organization. Part of the Scout Oath is "To to my duty to God and my country" and the Scout Law "A Scout is Reverent". There are no atheist Boy Scouts. Girl Scouts, however, are much more inclined to secular progressive ideals. So, if you are a Catholic, I would look at the Little Flowers girls program if there is one in your area.