Fitness Tips From Professional Dancers
Take a Mary Cassatt Birthday Quiz!
Plenty of established American institutions are struggling to keep up with the digital age, so it's not surprising that the Girl Scouts aren't exactly as popular as they used to be. After an 8 percent drop in enrollment over the last 10 years, administrators decided to get with the times. They've retooled and shifted priorities from teaching crafts and homemaking skills to teaching more practical things centered around community service and careers. It's part of a move to update their image and get more "hip, cool and edgy." They've even developed their own social-networking site, LMK. (But some areas of the Girl Scouts, like selling cookies, are still considered sacred and Internet involvement is a punishable offense.)
Watch the clip and then tell us: Did you love being in the Girl Scouts back in the day, or were you not into the whole being-groomed-for-wifedom thing?
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Awesomely Nerdy My Little Ponies
My Little Alien.
Mari Kasurinen
My Little Cthulu.
Mari Kasurinen
Edward Ponyhands.
Mari Kasurinen
Ponies of the Caribbean.
Mari Kasurinen
The Pony Bride
Mari Kasurinen
Predator Pony
Mari Kasurinen
Darth Little Pony
Mari Kasurinen
Comments:
Add a comment
Friday 01 May
By dlmc
When I was in the program, I loved it! --- But- I wish we could have done more things like carpentry, and technology.
Reply
Saturday 02 May
By jj
Love the cookies
Reply
Saturday 02 May
By rev. Jimmy
I think it's about time the girl scouts came out of the dark ages. And into the modern era.
Reply
Sunday 03 May
By TJ
Hate to break it to you, but this is not new. Not even close. I'm a leader and the Girl Scouts are not in the dark ages. Do we go camping and other fun outdoor activities with the girls??? Yes, of course. But we also teach science, teach and do community outreach, have our own online tools and training, and have internet sites just for Girl Scouts. All of these things are not new by any means. If there has been a drop in membership, it's more likely to be that kids today have so many options and things required of them, the parents just don't want to bother with one more. And that's a shame because Girls Scouts is one of the few places that they will be taught values, respect, and fun all at the same time.
Saturday 02 May
By Nancy
Yeah for Girl Scouts! I am a GS leader for my daughter's Cadette troop. I am proud that they are doing things to keep girls involved once they get a bit older. Just wish there was someplace to go to complain about the local Council! The girls work so hard to earn money (selling cookies, magazines, etc.), then the Council blows it on things like a $15K wall at a camp to post who gave what donations - then they come back to the troops for money because they can't fund their own outreach programs. Troops need a way to report these wrong doings!
Reply
Monday 04 May
By MzFu
I too have a Cadette Troop and yours can't be any worse that ours. They purport to be there for you, supporting you and your Troop but all of the (very slim) offering for activities center on the Daisies, Brownies and some Junior programs. Very few things do they sponser for a Cadette or older Troop. The service units aren't much better either and they are supposed to be your first line of help.
Saturday 02 May
By susan
Honestly, If it wasn't for Girl Scouts I dont know where I would be. I was all over the place, not doing well in school, socially inept although I covered it and just anxious kid. In highschool I didn't tell anyone that I was still in Girl Scouts but I had the best freakin experiences in it from Camp learning to sail to the silver award projects learning about careers, makesup and just planning. I would have never learned that anywhere else and it is what made me successful in life when I didn't have that natural ability to learn these things. My daughter, who is getting tested for Aspergers, really needs that positive environment, the kids around her who are respectful and kind and to learn those important things in life that she , again, will not learn on her own through the projects they do for the silver and gold rewards to just getting out and experiencing life around great people while giving girls positive identities! Go Girl Scouts!
Reply
Saturday 02 May
By Anne Watkins
My personal experience in Girl Scouting in the 1960's was NOT grooming for wifedom. It was about developing character, civic service and values. Girl Scouts was highly relevant to me as a girl. As a troop leader in the 1990's, we did the edgy stuff. That troop still networks for professional and personal support. Girl Scouts has had the foresight to stay relevant to girls, since its inception. Glad to see the media is finally recognizing the true value of Girl Scouts.
Reply
Monday 04 May
By Sherri
I am 37 years old, and although I did not have the opportunity to become a GS leader, I will always remember what I learned in scouts. I went from 1st through 12th grade in the Girl Scouts, and think that the term "being groomed for wifedom" is just ridiculous! I made so many friends over the years, and being in scouts helped me realize that I could do anything that I wanted to!
It's just sad that Girl Scouting doesn't get the press (usually) that Boy Scouts does.
Monday 04 May
By Cyn
Right On, Anne!~~~
I was a Girl Scout in Falls Church, VA in the 1960's, and it had absolutely NOTHING to do with "becoming a wife"?! After JFK and his physical fitness
initiatives, we were into civic duties and the type of "camping out" that they
probably do in the military, now! We were basically just left alone in Prince William Forest.....there were no men "guarding" us, and we carried our packs up steep mts. and braved snakes, huge spiders, hunger (only G.S. stew at the end of the day!) ...None was wasted!
One girl even got lost way out there, and we had to call the park service and police...she was fine, but it was exciting for us searching for her. Helicopters overhead and everything! (Apparently they didn't have lawsuits back then).
We didn't just rough it, we toughed it out....and it did wonders for my confidence (I wasn't quite as shy after that)......I simply don't remember any homemaking skills; unless you count pitching tents in the pouring rain at night fifty miles from anywhere!
Peace and Love, Old Timer~~~
Saturday 02 May
By feathericedncr
I loved being a Girl Scout! I was one during the late 90's-early 2000's, and I have learned a lot more than I did in school. My troop really did a great amount of community service in our town, and we also went on camping trips so we can learn about nature, survivability, and communication. Being a Girl Scout helped me be more cultured, responsible, and appreciative of the world. It also helped me become a leader in College :)
Reply
Saturday 02 May
By Teraza
As a leader myself in Girl Scouts we do what the girls are into. So on that note it is all about who your childs leader is and what they get out of it. My girls are wanting to do outdoor stuff so we as the leaders think up things they can do outside to earn their badges and things.
Reply
Saturday 02 May
By jessica cox
GS is not about catering to men it's about self reliance. Getting the badges gives you a sense of accomplishment and confidence in your own abilities. An dit gives less fortunate kids an opportunity to get out and meet lots of new people.
Reply
Saturday 02 May
By John Blazek
Maybe some of the crafts and activities Prepared girls for wifehood or womanhood but the girls didn't think of it that way. They thought of it as fun. I guess they were looking forward to getting married. Now I think they are just looking forward to being 14 year old unwed mothers. Maybe the Girll Scouts need to prepare them for that in order to keep from being irrelivant.
Reply
Monday 04 May
By MzFu
You're an ass.
Saturday 02 May
By Billi Willis
As glad as I am to see something good in the news about GS, it is a shame the real reason of decline in attendance is not do to the "edgyness", because anybody in GS knows that the girls rule their troops. Troop leaders are there for guidance only, the girls decide what they want to do, how they are going to make money to do it and do it! Although there are women out there like the ones in my community who are taking advantage of the girls and the organization. One has been charged and arrested and eventually plead guilty, another however, my daughter's ex-troop leader, has not been charged and nobody is giving a hoot either, hence the reason she is my daughter's ex-leader and unfortunately due to this display of not caring, my youngest will not participate in GS. I'm done funding GS troop leaders personal vacations while my daughter is sitting home not doing what was promised to her!!
Reply
Saturday 02 May
By kathy
Why don't you become a more active parent volunteer. Just because of a couple bad apples. Your daugthers and you can make a difference. Give it a try.
Saturday 02 May
By Shayla Grant
Girlscouts is the complete OPPOSITE of 'grooming for wifedome'. Its all about independence, developing a sense of individualism, and becoming a wellrounded person. In the early stages, girlscouts was about showing women they could be more than a wife. Now, and I am still an active girlscout, its about doing what you love and discovering who you are. And, haha, we dont wea any silly outfits or do crafts. We meet at borders or the mall, and take kickboxing classes!
Reply
Saturday 02 May
By Sonya
My daughter has been a girl scout sice she was a Daisy (kindergarten). She is now in 7th grade with the same troop. It comes down to leaders. Attracting them and keep them committed. We have two great ones that do relevant projects with the girls. It's a great program that encourages team building and community involvement.
Reply
Saturday 02 May
By Diane
I agree with Anne Watkins - GS in the 60's/70's did NOT prepare me for "wifedom" and I take offense at the author's comment! In addition to all the wonderful things Anne listed, I also learned to build a campfire that would start with one match (something my BSA hubby can not do). We were physically active outdoors, camping and hiking, and learned to love our Earth. Girl Scouts were "green" decades ago!
Reply