The problem I see is the empowerment pledge as it’s shown.

The pledge says, “I pledge to responsibly commit my time and talent to ensure that the nation is empowered to achieve the following goals by 2025:

Every American child is ready for college, work and life.

Every American has access to jobs with a living wage and good benefits.

Every American lives in safe, decent, affordable and energy efficient housing on fair terms.

Every American has access to quality and affordable health care solutions.”

The hot buttons are “living wage and good benefits”, “energy efficient house on fair terms”, and “affordable health care solutions”.

This is written as if it was an endorsement of the platform of one of the major political parties. This invites the assumption that the Girl Scouts of the USA is more in favor of one party over another. Personally, I don’t think it’s an obligation for an employer to offer benefits. It’s a good business decision, but this pledge makes it sound like benefits are an obligation or right. When did home energy efficiency become the responsibility of the public? If you pour your money out of the leaky cracks in your home that’s your bone-headed decision. How is it my responsibility to make sure you aren’t doing that? What are fair terms for housing? Aren’t terms negotiated between the landlord and tenant? Doesn’t that mean both sides will probably feel like something about the arrangement was unfair? Compromise is like that. Fair is very ambiguous and there will always be someone saying that a decision is unfair. Putting affordable health care solutions as a pledge just seems like begging for trouble with the heated health care debate going on.

In short, this pledge seems like it will lead to nothing but ulcers for young girls being asked to take it. The intention of making the world a better place is there, but where are the other side’s talking points? Where’s the pledge to enhance the personal freedom of each American? How about the drive to increase the net income for families? Freedom for religious expression? Deregulation of political speech?

This can be played from both sides and so far only sounds like one is endorsed. Even the points written could have been better expressed so they shy away from charges of political bias. *sigh* Oh, Girl Scouts. When will you ever learn?

That’s why I like specific skills and camping. Not a lot of politics there. When’s the next campout?

This year, the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center of Townsend is expanding its programming to accommodate Boy and Girl Scouts throughout the region.

Sponsored by Foothills Kiwanis and the Cornerstone Foundation, these programs enable Cub Scouts, Brownies and Junior Girl Scouts to attain select badges or achievements. Scouts of other ages can also receive customized programming.
…
The Scout programs are available year-round and at any time of day but must be scheduled four weeks in advance. Programs generally last from two to four hours and cost from $3 to $15 per Scout. Contact the Heritage Center at 865-448-0044 for more information or to schedule a visit.

Sounds great. Maybe I should try to talk my local nature center into this kind of deal since a lot of Eagle Scouts do their projects there. A little PR never hurt.

Girl Scouts came to my meet and greet and brought girl scout cookies. Beyond stoked.
7:57 PM Jul 23rd from web

Feel the power of the cookies!

It took about five days, but Derrick Mason finally got his wish when he was greeted after practice this morning by a Girl Scout troop playing music.

When the wide receiver ended his 20-day retirement and practiced with the Ravens for the first time at the team’s training camp Sunday, he joked afterward that he was expecting to see a marching band similar to the reception Terrell Owens got when the city of Buffalo welcomed him. Mason even joked that he couldn’t get the Girl Scouts to come out.

The Ravens arranged for Girl Scout Troop 1594 from Westminster to play “Hot Cross Buns” on flutes and recorders as practice ended. Mason said he was surprised by the girls’ appearance.

“I kind of walked past them for a second, and then I had to look at the little jackets that they had on because my daughter was a Girl Scout,” he said. “So I had to look at the jacket and [did] a double-take. Then I saw their signs, and I had to walk over there. I was surprised, but it was a good surprise for me. I asked for the marching band, and I asked for the Girl Scouts, and the Ravens sent me Girl Scouts. You can’t ask for anything better.”

The troop also brought several boxes of cookies for Mason, which gave him a slight edge over Owens’ reception.

“See, I got it better than T.O.,” Mason joked. “They just wanted autographs of T.O. walking through the airport. They gave me cookies and signs and everything. What more can you ask for?”

Mr. Lee even has a video of the event if you’d like to click over and see it. How cool. Feel the power of the cookies!

Amanda and I just returned from a screening for Girl Scouts of the new Walden Media movie Bandslam. It was held at the Harmony Gold Theater in Hollywood and Vanessa Hudgens attended and became an honorary Girl Scout. Amanda was chosen by the Greater Los Angeles Council along with 11 other girls to answer questions by the media and be on stage with Miss Hudgens when she became a Girl Scout. Before the movie, Girl Scouts from many different cities showcased their various talents by singing, gymnastics and putting on skits. Then there was a question and answer section with the VP of Operations and VP of Marketing and the girls got to ask questions about the movie industry.

Vanessa Hudgens then came onto the stage where the sounds of screaming Girl Scouts echoed through the theater. Vanessa was presented with a certificate, recited the Girl Scout Promise and was pinned. Girl Scouts presented her with flowers and gifts (Girl Scout cookies of course, and she was very pleased about it). The paparazzi went wild and the scouts got to experience what it was like to be a celebrity. Amanda asked Vanessa how she can stand all the flashbulbs and she said that she just looks away or turns, but mostly she’s blinded. Amanda then went to her seat to watch the film where she still saw bright lights for a long while.

This enjoyable movie featured an outsider boy who manages a group of High School kids trying to put together the perfect band for an annual battle of the bands contest. Walden Media also put together a Walden Media patch program for the Girl Scouts to earn which focuses on media literacy. After the film was over, the girls were given cookies, juice and a Bandslam poster as a souvenir of the event. It was an exciting event for all the girls and we now have another photo to add to our Girl Scout Celebrity Scrapbook!

I previously questioned the use of Miss Hudgens as an appropriate Girl Scout role model and it seems as if some sort of karmic joke has brought to light another round of drama with some site somewhere accusing her of having new photos of an inappropriate variety. I hope it’s not true for her sake and for the GSUSA.

I am wondering about this new partnership with Walden Media which has been a great source of family-friendly entertainment for years including their smash success with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. This is the same company that was last year reported to have purchased a script about Girl Scouts so it seems the company many be trying to develop a long relationship with the premier girls’ organization. The company has a press release about a patch program in my area for the fall.

This fall, the Girls Scouts of Greater Los Angeles will have the opportunity to earn a special Walden Media Patch. GSGLA serves over 45,000 girls in the LA area in over 350 diverse communities. It is the largest girl-serving non-profit agency in Los Angeles. This exciting partnership is one of the first of its kind, and we couldn’t be more excited.

Focused on Media Literacy, the Walden Media Patch asks girl scouts to complete a series of immersive activities that encourage them to read, research and compare how literature have been adapted into movies.

It seems like they have a prototype of how they will present the program in their current media literacy program focused on music at this link. I don’t really have enough time to go through their whole curriculum right now, but it looks interesting and extensive. I hope Girl Scouts of the USA and Walden Media have a long and successful partnership to the benefit of our nation’s young ladies.

Update: According to Jared at BuzzNet.com Vanessa’s co-star, Aly Michalka, also became an honorary Girl Scout. She just wasn’t there when the Girl Scouts honored her.

78violet’s Aly and AJ Michalka keep close together as they arrive at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards held at the Gibson Amphitheatre on Sunday afternoon (August 9) in Universal City, Calif.

Aly, 20, just became an honorary Girl Scout with her Bandslam costar Vanessa Hudgens on Friday afternoon. Unfortunately, Aly was not able to attend the ceremony.

Did you know that on July 20, 2009 was the 40th anniversary of the World Scouting Lunar Landing. During the 11th Apollo Mission that landed on the moon Neil Armstrong brought with him a World Scout badge.

Here is the full story:

July 20, 2009 marks the 40th Anniversary of the successful Apollo 11 moon landing. Amongst the treasured items that Crew Commander, Neil Armstrong, carried with him to the Moon and back was a World Scout Badge!

The former member of Boy Scouts of America presented this unique momento of his now legendary mission to World Scouting. The signed citation reads, “I certify that this World Scout Badge was carried to the moon on man’s first lunar landing, Apollo XI, July 20, 1969.”

The Scout emblem which features in the badge was created by Baden-Powell. The fleur-de-lys, which indicated ‘north’ on old maps, is a reminder that Scouts must be as reliable as a compass; they must respect Scouting’s ideals and help show others the way. A singularly appropriate symbol then to be carried by the first man to set foot on the Moon!

This historically important badge is kept on permanent display at the World Scout Bureau’s central office in Geneva, Switzerland.

Yours in Scouting Service
Mark W
Assistant Scoutmaster
Troop 1616
Great Alaska COuncil
Eagle Scout OA Brotherhood Member
NSJ ‘05 WSJ ‘07 ‘11 Philmont AA ‘08

Governor Bill Ritter signed HB-1151 into law on June 5, 2008 and the new Boy Scout License Plate is now officially available at all Colorado Department of Revenue locations beginning Wednesday, July 15, 2009. The license plate was designed in honor of the Boy Scouts of America, commemorating 100 years of Scouting in the United States as the centennial approaches in 2010.

The NFL has agreed to announce the 100th Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America ON AIR at the Super Bowl in Miami on Sunday, February 7, 2010, provided we get involved in promoting flag football. BSA and NFL have a common desire to promote youth fitness and here is a tremendous collaboration initiative opportunity. They would like us to sell the flag football program items (flag belts, 2 NFL footballs, and the NFL jersey of their choice – all for $20) in our Scout Shops and encourage the units to make flag football part of their program activities. The NFL has regional tournaments and a national tournament of champs at Disney World each year where our Scouts could compete. We could develop a special belt loop recognition for flag football.

So, I tried to figure out what the Boy Scouts are doing to promote flag football and according to meritbadge.org the Cub Scouts have already had a flag football belt loop since 2003. Wouldn’t the professionals at the BSA know that? I don’t know what else besides selling NFL merchandise the league is looking for. Well, maybe to promote it even more among the older guys, but for that age group the interest pursuits are more individual. Maybe the NFL is looking for a Football and Fun program to compete withthe Soccer and Scouting initiative. I grew up playing football during lunch at school and at nearby fields in my neighborhood so I’ve got no problem with promoting a fun game. I just have to mention that I broke and lacerated my nose playing flag football during P.E. at school, but I guess klutzes can make anything dangerous.

Crossroads blues-rock fans will be in “Heaven” at the news Los Lonely Boys are coming to Victoria. The Texan rock group will play Victoria on Aug. 29.

Known for the 2004 hit “Heaven” and 2005’s “Diamonds,” the San Angelo-based group is coming to Riverside Park as part of a fundraiser for Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas.

Proceeds go toward scholarships and outreach programs. South Texas is home to nearly 15,000 Girl Scouts.

The Girl Scouts “deserve it. They work so hard selling cookies,” said Daniel Torres, owner of DT Productions, who is promoting the concert. “I think they deserve more. Some girls come from single-parent homes.”

The band will perform at Riverside Park’s special events area. About 3,000 pre-sale tickets are available starting June 12. After July 12, tickets will cost $35. The special events arena will be open, so more than 10,000 people can attend, Torres said.

Better get them while they’re cheaper, then.

Peanut butter and chocolate always has been a popular flavor combination. Now Dairy Queen has taken that flavor profile to new heights with the introduction of the first-ever Girl Scouts Tagalongs Peanut Butter Patties Blizzard Flavor Treat slated as the Blizzard of the Month for July.

One of the most popular Girl Scout cookies, Tagalongs, also known as Peanut Butter Patties, are crispy cookies layered with peanut butter and covered with a chocolate coating. Dairy Queen is blending Girl Scout Tagalongs pieces with rich peanut butter topping and its signature creamy vanilla soft serve to create this one-of-a-kind Blizzard.

This marks the second year that Dairy Queen is partnering with the Girl Scouts, which last year culminated with the debut of the Girl Scouts Thin Mint Cookie Blizzard Treat. The Thin Mint Blizzard, made with creamy vanilla soft serve blended with Girl Scouts Thin Mint Cookie pieces and Crème de Menthe topping, will be the Blizzard of the Month for August. Last summer, Dairy Queen served more than 10 million Girl Scouts Thin Mint Cookie Blizzards, making it the most popular limited time Blizzard flavor ever.

The average price of the Girl Scouts Tagalongs Peanut Butter Patties Blizzard and the Thin Mint Cookie Blizzard is $3.09 for the 12 oz., $3.49 for the 16 oz. and $3.99 for the 21 oz.

I wonder if Girl Scouts will get more criticism or more acclaim for it this time around. Girl Scouts also organized kick-off events for these sales, but those were done on a council-by-council basis. I wonder if that will be the same this year. My council says yes. It’s pretty low key. And it’s even more local than the council level, it will be by region (Los Angeles is so big the council divides area into regions roughly corresponding to the councils that were merged). There might be some recruitment drives tied into the sales, but no big deal.