From: szafrans@copper.ucs.indiana.edu (Pamela Kay)
Newsgroups: rec.scouting
Subject: Re: But I want my girls in Scouting!
Date: 8 Apr 92 14:02:03 GMT
Article-I.D.: bronze.1992Apr8.090211.29297
Organization: Indiana University


 
>    I understand how the Boy Scout program works and what it provides
>for the boys.  I know very little about Girl Scouts and want to find
>out more!

There are many ways to go to find out more about the opportunities
available to your daughter in Girl Scouting.  Since she is 5, she is
ready for the Daisy age level (for 5-6 year olds).  With summer 
approaching, it would be good to contact the local Girl Scout council
office and inquire about Day Camps they will be operating.  Most 
Councils have several in differenct service units.    The best way
to learn about what is there for your daughter is to call your
local council.  I have learned most councils simply list themselves
in the phone book under "Girl Scouts".

>    This is good to hear.  But camping is only one aspect of the Boy Scout
>program, though a major one.  Other aspects that I'd like my daughter to
>experience is the leadership positions that Boy Scouts fill.  Among these
>positions are Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Senior Patrol Leader, Troop
>Guide, and Instructor.  Does Girl Scouts have the girls fill similar
>positions?

There are many different types of leadership positions available
within a Girl Scout troop.  Many times this is dependent upon the age
level of the troop, and the type of troop government that the members
chose, and the number of members in the troop (is it small or large?)

Most often used at the Daisy Girl Scout and Brownie Girl Scout age
level is the "Town Meeting" style of troop government.   This is
where each member has equal input into troop planning and operations.
These are called the Daisy Circle and the Brownie Ring.

The older age levels tend more frequently to be split between
the patrol system, the executive system and the town meeting.
The patrol system uses patrols (same meaning as for Boy Scouts) to
make decisions in small groups.  The patrol leaders then report this
information back to the Court of Honor (which consists of patrol
leaders, troop president, troop treasurer, troop scribe, and the 
adult leader/advisor).  The executive system seems most simply put
to be a town meeting for information gathering and input, and a
Court of Honor (without patrol leaders...no patrols) for refinement
before final decision by the entire troop.

Also for the Older Girl Age Levels (Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts)
there is an Older Girl Planning Board.  It is compromised of elected
members from the total council older girl membership.  This planning
board works on special council wide activities for older girls.
It (depending on individual councils) may sponsor the Wider Opps
night for the council, and hold Wider Opps applications workshops.

>    Also, for those boys who earn the Eagle rank there is a lot of
>recognition both within and outside of the Boy Scouts of his
>achievement.  I've just recently learned in this news group that there
>is a Gold award in Girl Scouts.  Is this equivelent to the Eagle rank,
>and what recognition do those who earn this award get?

The Gold Award in Girl Scouting is the highest award/recognition 
that a girl member may earn.  It has evolved over the last 80 years
to this place.  Over time the highest award has been called,
the Golden Eaglet of Merit (1916) and was very similiar to the 
Boy Scout Eagle award (oh well :) in appearance.  The requirement
to earn it was to earn 14 out of 17 proficiency badges.  This was
awarded by the national office.

In 1940, the Curved Bar became the highest award a Girl Scout member
could earn.  After she has attained the intermediate rank of 
First Class, she could work on additional proficiency badges in the
same program area for this award.

In 1963, the First Class Award became the highest award a girl member
could earn.  A series of Chellenges had to be met, and several badges
earned before the award was presented.   This award was discontinued
in 1982,

In 1980, GSUSA introduced the present Silver Award and Gold Award.
The requirements for each (I posted a while back...if anyone wants
another copy I will send it) required a time committment of about
18 months.  The Gold Award became the permanent name for Girl Scouting's
highest award by nearly unanimous approval at the 1990 Girl Scout
of the U.S.A National Convention after an motion made by a Senior
Girl Scout Delegate.  The Award is a Trefoil with Rays emanating from
it.  A Parent's pin is available, it is a replica in miniature
(similiar to the Eagle pin a parent receives when a Boy Scout 
receives his Eagle Award....on a side note:  I hope to have two
Gold Award and one Eagle Award parent's pins ...someday :) :)

Senior Girl Scout members who earn their Gold Award help to plan
their own presentation banquet.  There is community recognition.
In the Girl Scout Councils I have had the pleasure of working with
this usually consists of a Council Wide Recognition Banquet with
press coverage.  The amount of "hoopla" associated is as much
as the girl wants.  The Gold Award often carries extra impact
on college applications (as an Eagle Award does), and in helping
show employable skills.

I hope this answers the questions.  (I know sometimes I tend
to give a little more than asked for, but ...gosh...I love to
talk about Girl Scouting :) :) :)

Pam
Yes, I am *still* a Girl Scout!!!!!!

P.S.  My husband gave me his Eagle Pin when we got engaged...
	and now I am saving it for our son :) :)