I feel a need to speak out against the banning of Girl Scouts by Diocese of Kansas City, Kansas (KCK). Why me? I started my adult career 37 years ago working for the Girl Scouts in Kansas City, Kansas. I was one of the women who went out and recruited new leaders for troops; I was a troop leader for Troop 77 in KCK; and I trained new leaders there.
Although 34 years have passed since I actually worked for the Girl Scouts there, I was a volunteer for many years after my daughter was born. I was Vice President of what was the Santa Fe Trail Council of Girl Scouts headquarters in KCK before this Council merged into a larger Council based in Kansas City, Missouri.
I am well aware of the low income areas of KCK. And I have to say what a mistake it is to sever ties with the Girl Scouts. Many households in KCK live in poverty. Girl Scouts (and Boy Scouts) provide a way for these young women to learn about the world outside of their difficult life. As new immigrants moved into the area, it was Girl Scouts troops that helped the girls acclimate to living in the US. And it helped the parents as well.
Girl Scouts of the USA is a secular organization. It does support organizations that in turn support women and women’s rights. But those that are affiliated with a religious organization have always been able to decide what they want to do in terms of national activities. So if the troop leaders do not want to participate in a March for Women, the troop does not need to march!
Severing ties with Girl Scouts will be a detriment for the girls of KCK. It will cut girls off from a sisterhood of women throughout the country and the world.
I have been a Girl Scout, a Girl Scout Leader, a Girl Scout staff member, a Girl Scout board member, the mother of a Girl Scout and a Girl Scout Volunteer. I am a Girl Scout life member. I was trained to be a Trainer of Trainers at the Girl Scout Edith Macy Conference Center in New York. The trainings and relationships I made through Girl Scouts impacted my life.
I hope this decision is reconsidered. Banning Girl Scouts is a mistake.
http://www.kansascity.com/living/religion/article147857619.html
zicharonot 
That is too bad! I’m sorry to hear it. I only have sons but they have all participated in cub and boy scouts. Both of my older boys have earned their Eagle Scout Award. My husband has served in the scouting program for many years. I would be very disappointed if my youngest son was not able to participate in scouting because it has been a great experience for our whole family to have our boys learn the skills that they have learned.
My son was a Boy Scout as well. I think both programs are important.
And the cookies! So delicious. 😉
I know. I just am finding many events going on recently so upsetting. The divisiveness hurts everyone.
I agree!
I don’t know anything about the ban (and I’ve been out of the country for two weeks), but I was a Girl Scout through 8th grade and loved it. For what possible reason would they be banned?
Not Christian enough. And National Girl Scouts supports women’s groups like Planned Parenthood.
What BS…I bet a third of the girls plus two of our troop leaders were Jewish in my day (including my mother). No one ever told me Girl Scouts was Christian! I even went to Girl Scout camp one summer.
It is not. But the archbishop feels it is too liberal. Like open to all girls and all religions. And not following catholic values.
Sigh….grrrr….