Homeschool World Forum

Hi! I am a hs Mo m of 1 6 y/o DD going into 2nd grade. She is involved w/ Sunday School/Church & plays w/ the neighbor children when they are not in school. She started girlscouts last year & has truly loved it!! I stay at the meetings & am a helper. We have GS camp this month & we're looking forward to it. It's always worth a try, You get out if ya'll don't like it

We are just starting 4H. I can't really tell you much about it other than it is free! LOL

We do Rainbow for our girls. Catherine (who is 6) is a sparkle and will be a pledge when she is 8. Anna (who is almost 3) will get her sparkle pin in March of 08.

My daughter used to be involved with Girl Scouts, but after discovering that they were supports of Planned Parenthood, we decided not to participate anymore. I found a really neat group called American Heritage Girls - which is alot like Girl Scouts in the way of earning badges and ranks, etc., but is Christ-centered. I have copied and attached some quotes from the founder of AHG from a website - google them if you would like - American Heritage Girl.

We are Christ-centered, not spiritually principled (GSUSA's words), and that makes a huge difference. Controversy has followed the Girl Scouts for some time. The Cincinnati, Ohio-based American Heritage Girls was formed in 1995 after "flexibility" was adopted within the Girl Scout promise, allowing girls to replace the word "God" with concepts of their own choosing. Other efforts include a push to de-feminize the program by removing badges for all traditionally feminine or domestic-related pursuits and replacing them with career-focused activities.

Just wanted to throw another option out for you - it is a great organization and the troop I started has grown from 18 girls to about 31 in 2 years.

We loved Girl Scouts. I didn't know they supported Planned Parenthood but I'd assume most people would anyway. I'm all for them. That doesn't bother me.

Right now my kids are taking a 4 H course in pistols. There are some really scary people there who are way too conservative, religious and close minded. A few are truly lovely open people.

I'm in 4h and it's a real good program. I have really learned a lot about animals. In 4h you can take anything from cooking to pigs. Last year I took cooking pigs and sewing. You can take woodworking, photography, cooking, sewing, dioramas, and the like. It is a lot of fun. The first time you get judged it's a tad nerve-wracking. Once you get used to it it's so much easier. I love 4-h!!! In our club, if you are in kindergarten you are a cloverbud. They do projects but don't get judged. Once you hit 3rd grade you're a real member. If anyone has any other questions just pm me. I've been in a long time so I should be able to answer your questions.

I know I missed it when you all were discussing it, but another option is Keepers at Home/ Contenders for the Faith. Keepers is the girls side, Contenders is the boys. We have just recently joined this group and really like what we see so far.

First, there are Bible badges the kids can earn. The memorize passages, sometimes entire chapters, and earn badges for them.

Second, there is no national lever watching over you to make sure you do it any particular way. Each group is very unique, as there are no set guidelines you have to follow in how the group is ran. (They do have some set rules as far as how to earn the badges.)

Third, the boys and girls meet at the same time, different parts of the same house. For all five of them to be involved, I only have to go one place.

Fourth, it teaches the girls things they will have to know to manage a home when they are adults, and the same for the boys.

Fifth, it's less expensive than most as there are no national/ state/ district/ or local dues. A group may choose to have dues if they so desire, but it is not a requirement. Our group doesn't have dues, we provide the materials our child/ren need/s.

Some may say I'm closed minded, but I would not put my kids in scouts because of them supporting Planned Parenthood and the whole girl power mindset that was there when I was in GS. I'm not judging, just telling why we don't do that group. Keepers/ Contenders gave our kids goals to work for, the friendships, etc.. but also allowed for me to have control over what they are being exposed to.