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My Girl Scouting Experiences
I was in Brownies and Girl Scouts from Kindergarden through 7th grade. My Catholic school that supported my troop was both poor and sexist, so my troop ended up the same. More money and honor went to the Boy Scouts; they were able to camp in tents during the summer. They swam, pitched tents, climbed trees, ran races, and played sports. My troop, though, stayed in a one-room cabin in winter. There were dead mice and we didn’t have enough mattresses. We learned how to arrange flowers, make macrame, and clean. Whenever we went to other troops' cabins (which had linoleum rather than cement floors), we cleaned up after them because we were told that good Catholic Girl Scouts clean up after the more priviledged.
I’ll call my troop leaders Mrs. L and Mrs. D. Mrs. L had daughters in our troop and was a housewife. Mrs. D had a daughter too and was a police officer. They fought so much that Mrs. D left. We cleaned, sewed and did our nails. Mrs. L taught her daughters’ friends to help those who, for example, spilled things. When my friends and I spilled, however, she had us clean up alone while she yelled. We were scolded when we asked if we could do the Boy Scouts’ activities; good Catholic Girl Scouts shouldn't ask for things, especially to do what boys do. We were to be like Mrs. L: quiet and pretty.
I've heard similar stories. It wasn't until reading an article in "Bitch" magazine that I realized what a problem this is. Have you had or heard of any similar experiences? I emailed Girl Scouts about it and have been to several other online message boards to ask for other experiences, but I don't know what to do next.
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I haven't had that experience - my SIL was a girl scout troop leader and its completely different.
Girl Scout is a wonderful organization - and I would suggest finding a new troop. Also, contact that you contact the Catholic school who is supporting the troop - this behavior is not acceptable.
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You had lousy leaders, it sounds like. Juliet Gordon Lowe would not have approved! Girl Scouts is all about empowering girls. Yes, we were encouraged to clean up after ourselves and others, but we also went camping, hiking, swimming, sledding, etc. We earned sewing badges as well as Ms Fix-It badges. When I was in Scouts, I thought my leader was a hag, but now I like her and claim her as my mother again. ;) She would never have told us to clean up after the privileged. She would have told us to clean up after the poor, elderly, and disabled. The concept of gaining God's love by totally humbling oneself is, in my experience, a Catholic thing. You had a leader who tried to apply Catholic tennets to her entire life, including Girl Scounts, and, since they overlapped, to your (little girls')lives as well. Sorry about that.
Sabine
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I don't have much to say other than how messed up that is. The Catholic religion should have nothing to do with Girl Scout activities.
Being a "good little Catholic girl" shouldn't mesh at all with being a "good little Girl Scout."
It seems your troop leader doesn't know what she is doing. Being quiet and pretty has nothing to do with being a Girl Scout, either.
Have you tried to contact Girl Scouts of the USA about this? I sure would if you haven't. At the link below, you will find an email address and phone numbers to contact them with questions and concerns.
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