8 July 2009
Girl Scouts Versus American Heritage Girls + Boy Scouts?
Posted by admin under: Uncategorized .
Reading this story over at ScoutingNews.org I was immediately taken aback. The Boy Scouts of America has signed a memorandum of mutual support with the American Heritage Girls. I became aware of them just about one year ago and while I have no problem with competing girl organizations I was somewhat put off by their complete focus on Jesus Christ. I like the ability of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to earn religious emblems in any faith they pursue. So when I read the following from the press release I was surprised.
The American Heritage Girls (AHG) was presented a Memorandum of Mutual Support by the Boy Scouts of America at the AHG National Leadership Conference on Friday, June 12, 2009 at 7 pm at Vineyard Community Church in Cincinnati.
This Memorandum is historic in nature as it is the first presented to an all girls’ organization in the one hundred year history of the Boy Scouts of America. The Memorandum was presented to AHG National Executive Director, Patti Garibay by BSA’s Director of the Community Alliances Team, Charles Holmes, of the Boy Scouts of America, Irving, Texas.
This news lends itself to paranoia well. As I recall and as is posted at Wikipedia:
The organization was formed in 1995 by a group of parents from West Chester, Ohio, who were unhappy that the Girl Scouts accepted lesbians as troop leaders, allowed girls to substitute another word more applicable to their belief for “God” in the promise, and allegedly banned prayer at meetings.
So, the BSA has supported a Christians-only group formed in opposition to the Girl Scouts. Hey, some of the principles are the same so it’s no biggie as long as the BSA has a similar understanding with the GSUSA. Does it? I couldn’t find one on the BSA’s site so I sent a note off to their media department. Almost everyone I know who has a boy in Boy Scouts and has a girl has that girl in Girl Scouts. So, I hope there’s something linking these two historic organizations. We’ll find out.
Oh, yeah, the other thing it seemed like was happening was the BSA is trying to have a link with the AHG so their girls can bridge into Venturing. Since the AHG advancement has a Tenderfoot rank and an Explorer rank and they earn merit badges all of which are protected terms under the Congressional charter this may also be a way for the BSA to avoid having to argue over their terms while stilling leaving themselves open to opposing other groups that may use BSA words in their programs. That’s me overthinking it, but it’s possible.
Update: Shauna has commented that the Chrisitian requirement applies only to leaders of AHG units because they must agree to the statement of faith which, in part, reads “We believe that there is One Triune God – Father, Jesus Christ His one and only Son, and the Holy Spirit – Creator of the universe and eternally existent. We believe the Holy Scriptures (Old/New Testament) to be the inspired and authoritative Word of God”.
I’m not sure how comfortable Jewish or Hindu parents would be if all of their daughters’ leaders were exclusively pro-Christian, but I don’t know anyone in the American Heritage Girls and its entirely possible that they’re happy with the situation.
- And Now a Rant from the Right
- boyandgirlscouts.islam
- Boy Scouts Might Advertise More Co-Ed Aspects
- Jews or Jesus?
- Scoutparents.org
15 Comments so far...
Shauna Bowers Says:
9 July 2009 at 1:51 am.
BSA has never signed such a document with GSUSA. If you would like a copy of the the Memorandum of Mutual Support I would be happy to send you a copy. For the record, American Heritage Girls accepts ALL girls, whether they are Christian or not. However, they have to be willing to abide by the AHG Oath which states, “I promise to love God, cherish my family, honor my country, and serve in my community.” Leaders, on the other hand, must be Christians who are living a God-honoring life and agree with the AHG statement of faith. You can check it out at http://www.ahgonline.org. I left Girl Scouts last year after 31 years of loyal service and membership. GSUSA has changed from an outward, service focused organization to an inward-focused organization that is partnering with such organizations as Planned Parenthood and the Ashland Institute–a New Age group.
New York OA Trader | Shared Items From Around The Web – July 9, 2009 Says:
9 July 2009 at 9:01 am.
[...] Girl Scouts Versus American Heritage Girls + Boy Scouts? [...]
Valerie Says:
9 July 2009 at 5:55 pm.
How can this discrimination, or having some one renounce thier relious beliefs not trickle down to the girls if all you allow as adults are Christians? It does, my neice has been the subject of it in her 3 month stint with AHG which is why she is no longer in AHG.
Not only do the adults leading and participating with thier daughters have to make the following statement but also anyone who would like to sponser a troop with meeting location, finaincially, etc. within their organization.
Well I guess my non-profit whom will allow the use of its building will have to say no to AHG based on the statement of faith issue. Sorry the 5 acres and building that holds 300 will only be able to be used by the remainder of non-profits in our area.
History of AHG:
American Heritage Girls was founded in 1995 in West Chester, Ohio by a group of parents wanting a wholesome program for their daughters. These parents were disillusioned with the increasing secular focus of existing organizations for girls. They wanted a Judeo-Christian focused organization for their daughters and believed that other parents were looking for the same for their daughters. This became the catalyst for the birth of the organization we have come to know as the American Heritage Girls.
There was no other organization they were ever a part of only GSUSA. even though thier claim is organizations.
The entire statement of faith made by adults and organizations to work with AHG.
We believe that there is One Triune God – Father, Jesus Christ His one and only Son, and the Holy Spirit – Creator of the universe and eternally existent. We believe the Holy Scriptures (Old/New Testament) to be the inspired and authoritative Word of God. We believe each person is created in His image for the purpose of communing with and worshipping God. We believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit who enables us to live a Godly life. We believe that each individual is called to love the Lord their God with all their heart, mind, soul and strength; and to love their neighbors as themselves. We believe that each individual is called to live a life of purity, service, stewardship and integrity.
Clarity is further provided to the following terms:
Purity – An AHG member is called to live a life of holiness, being pure of heart, mind, word and deed, reserving sexual activity for the sanctity of marriage; marriage being a lifelong commitment before God between a man and a woman.
Service – An AHG member is called to become a responsible member of their community and the world through selfless acts, which contribute to the welfare of others.
Stewardship – An AHG member is called to use their God given time, talents and money wisely.
Integrity – An AHG member is called to live a moral life, demonstrating the inward motivation to do what is right, regardless of the cost
Valerie
Cincinnati, Ohio
1.5 miles from AG+HG headquarters
Paul Hillebrand Says:
10 July 2009 at 12:53 pm.
As the proud father of one daughter who has earned the Stars and Stripes Award (BSA Eagle equivalent) in AHG and a younger daughter progressing well with that goal, I can say that you are looking in the wrong place for controversy. For girl members the only requirement is for a belief in God. The BSA Scout Oath uses “do my duty to God and my country” The AHG Oath is: “I promise to love God, cherish my family, honor my country and serve in my community”. AHG has many denominations represented in their ranks. A Jewish girl in the troop with my daughter will soon begin working on her Stars and Stripes Award. Furthermore, the AHG has a Non-Discrimination policy that welcomes any girl that is willing to say the Oath and abide by the organizations rules. One element of the AHG Creed is: Reverent. It requires “respect to the beliefs of others”. When recitinng the Creed they begin “As an American Heritage Girl, I promise to be:” Obviously, the BSA and AHG have good reasons for working together and I would be shocked to learn that GSUSA and BSA officially work or are “linked” together. It was once explained to me that AHG troops are never sponsored by public schools due to the faith based program. Also, many public school PTA’s have refused to sponsor BSA Packs or Troops. Over 8,000 members in 30+ states speaks loudly for the growth and obvious need for the AHG program. Our Bill of Rights provides all of us with the right to assembly and association and AHG members use those rights to put their Mission Statement into practice, “Building women of integrity through service to God, family, community and country” Praising God and loving every minute of it – new members welcome!
Brian Warn Says:
14 July 2009 at 4:36 pm.
I helped start one of the AHG troops in the Northwest. We elected to go the AHG route because after evaluating GSUSA, AHG, Camp Fire, and other similar groups or equivalent options, we determined that the AHG program and organization best enabled us to fulfill our primary objectives: (1) enable us to maintain a strong Catholic identity in all aspects of our program, and (2) support us with content and a program structure that provides us the ability to give the girls memorable outdoor-focused experiences that they’ll remember with great fondness during the rest of their lives. We ensure that any potential members and their families know upfront of these objectives when they evaluate us before deciding to join. Beyond that, we do not restrict who is able to be part of the troop.
I’m looking forward to the opportunities that become available to the girls in our region in the wake of the release of this Memorandum of Mutual Support.
-Brian
Sean Says:
19 July 2009 at 11:22 pm.
We are helping start a AHG troop right now, looking from the outside when choosing was the program lines up more with BSA & lately what I’ve observed frrom GSA in general is they don’t. There is nothing wrong with giving girls more choices. What appeals to one girl may not another.
Dave Says:
31 July 2009 at 3:54 pm.
My only comment about the BSA-AHG partnership is that the GSUSA volunteers should try to get GSUSA and BSA to sign a similar MOU (Memorandum of Understanding)!!!
Peter Reins Says:
2 August 2009 at 8:10 pm.
GSUSA and BSA executives and delegates from around the country had a week long meeting just over 5 years ago to see about working out a more direct relationship. GSUSA membership decline is significant, with many of the teen girls heading into Venturing. However, the two could not come together. Culturally very different. Remember, that historically they have always been totally separate organizations. The girls affiliate for decades was Campfire, before it went co-ed.
GSUSA in the past year forced three hundred councils to merge into 100 councils. What they did was eliminate the rural and suburban councils which were pretty conservative with very liberal, feminist oriented councils in urban cores. As a result, money are resources are directed to the center and the rural areas and suburban areas, at least here in california, have been stripped of program. No summer camps this summer in our area. We are hemoraging members, the GS leaders are distressed.
So along comes AHG which has the charter partnership with organizations with a solid program and now with the partnership they have full access to BSA facilities and support. National has not made it known what the long term plan is, but most of us are pretty sure that within five years, and probably a lot less, AHG will be formally under BSA wing. Our councils are already looking into the ability to create AHG units. We are all very excited.
One thing to be worked out of course is AHG religious requirement for leaders, but we are pretty sure that will be brought into alignment with BSA soon.
Those of us with sons in BSA units and daughters in GSUSA are excited. We plan to start a AHG unit as soon as possible. We are saddened by the implosion of the GSUSA program, but they did it to themselves and the girls.
Larry Says:
15 September 2009 at 5:20 pm.
I am very happy that thier is a good alternative to the Girl Scouts. The Boy Scouts are wise to partner with a more culturally compatible organization for girls. I have two girls and they love the AHG troop here. The local BSA leaders are very helpful and some of them have girls in the troop. As an Eagle Scout I am proud of BSA for stepping up.
Anne Says:
18 November 2009 at 5:44 pm.
No, the boys have not signed a similar memorandum with girl scouts. Probably because girl scouts is not faith based like boy scouts are. The American Heritage girls is faith based. It, like the boys scouts, incorporates faith as a requirement. The girl scouts don’t. As a former member of girl scouts, current parent of a boy scout, and current parent of an American Heritage girl; the boy scouts are much more like the American Heritage girls than the girl scouts. So I completely understand the memorandum with AHG, but not with girl scouts.
Jeneane Says:
1 December 2009 at 2:35 am.
Notice one party that is not trying to justify what they do…..GSUSA????
Laura B. Says:
2 December 2009 at 12:55 pm.
Ok, some of these comments are weeks old so those who commented may not see this, but GSUSA actually does have a faith requirement and is faith based. The organization is based on the thought that girls have a strong faith, but we just don’t preach about it like AHG and similar organizations. Faith, in GSUSA, is a personal issue between the girl and her religion, GSUSA wants girls to grow in their faith, in their own way. A troop may or may not emphasize this aspect, or dozens of other aspects, for that matter, of the organization, that does not mean it isn’t there.
From the Blue Book of Basic Documents, 2009:
page 4, the Constitution:
“BELIEFS AND PRINCIPLES
We, the members of Girl Scouts of the United States of America, united by a belief in God, hold that the Girl Scout Promise and Law is the cornerstone of our Movement…
…SPIRITUAL FORCE
The motivating force in Girl Scouting is spiritual. The ways in which members identify and fulfill their spiritual beliefs are personal and private.”
Should you like a full text version of the Blue Book (and this isn’t the abbreviated Leader version) you may visit: https://ocn.girlscouts.org/SupportingDocuments/BlueBook_09.pdf
Anne Says:
3 January 2010 at 2:00 am.
While searching for a scoutig group for my daughter, I wanted an organization that was not affraid to stand up for what they believe in. The girl scouts, though some individual groups may maintain their stand on faith, have caved. They used to declare their faith in God, but now they put an * saying you can replace God with whatever you are comfortable with. I chose BSA for my son because they insist that faith, whatever yours may be, is an integral part of building character, and I chose AHG for my daughter for the same reason. They don’t tell you what to believe, just that you learn more about your faith, how to practice it, and what it means to you. I don’t insist that anyone else choose what I chose, but I also don’t plan on backing down on my reasons. I happen to believe faith is important and admire any organization who is able to stand up to opposition and keep their faith despite the majority of organizations going secular. If you are happy with girl scouts, great stay with girl scouts. But don’t critisize those who choose something else.
Anne Says:
3 January 2010 at 2:10 am.
BTW
I don’t know why so many are critisizing this memorandum. BSA has made many memorandums of mutual support with other organizations, including churches, fraturnities, and non-profit organizations. GSUSA have never complained before about not having their own memorandum, only when AHG received one.
Susan Says:
27 January 2010 at 12:49 pm.
I have a great history with GSUSA. I was a scout and a leader. I am Christian and feel that GSUSA allows a person to pursue knowledge and faith, as well as learning about, respecting and honoring other people’s perspectives. I thought I might want to put my son in Boy Scouts but I am uncomfortable with the paramilitary, conservative, and discriminatory aspects of BSA. This MOU confirms my decision not to put my son in BSA. If BSA has more in common with AHG than GSUSA, it is not the organization for us. Is there a boy’s organization that is more in line with GSUSA values?
