Description
News, Photos, and Happenings in Tennessee's AHG Troop 131
My Links
*
*
*
|
Girl Scout Cookie Overdose
No, I'm not overdosing because I've eaten too many Girl Scout cookies. In fact, not single thin mint has touched my lips in a couple of years. But everywhere I go, I see Girl Scouts and their cookies --and I wish I knew what to do. I wish that, like Jane Chastain I had $100 to offer these troops if they'd switch over to American Heritage Girls. Last week at our women's Bible study, some of the ladies were munching on a box of thin mints. I wanted to catch my friend Donna's (partyoffive) eye and mouth, "Traitor!" to her, knowing that her soon-to-be-kindergarten daughter will be in our AHG troop next year. But another mom--a Girl Scout mom--was there, and I didn't want to make her feel awkward. (Our AHG troop is chartered by our church, and this mom is fairly new there.)
I stopped buying cookies when we switched over to American Heritage Girls 4 years ago (read about our journey here). For the first two years, Dr. H. bought cookies from someone at work just to help out this colleague's daughter, until I finally expressed to him that I was sweating blood for AHG, and he was supporting GSA. I've considered perhaps that I am over-reacting--they're just cookies, after all. But I was recently having this discussion with some newer AHG moms, and one of them said something like, "I wouldn't expect to see Girl Scout cookies in any of our homes. I would find that very strange."
Those cookies are as traditional in American homes as candy canes at Christmas. But here's the thing: every time we buy a box of Girl Scout cookies, we support the national organization. I like how the Life Issues Institute explains what's happening in this organization (emphasis mine):
"So if you think that your 12-year-old daughter who joined the scouts to go hiking, collect leaves, make candles and do bird watching is in safe hands, it may be time for you to investigate what your Girl Scout troop and council are doing. We must emphasize there are hundreds of troops that still observe the traditional family- and God-centered practices of the original Girl Scouts. But the philosophy coming down from National is spreading. In the meantime, understand that there are 3.7 million Girl Scouts, each of whom pays a $10 membership fee which goes directly to the National office. This brings over $26,000,000 a year into its national treasury."
So what is the "philosophy coming down from National" that is "spreading" into local troops? Here are just a few examples:
* The Girl Scouts of the USA voted in 1993 to permit individuals to substitute another word or phrase for 'God' in their promise.
* Junior Girl Scouts in Pennsylvania can attend a workshop on puberty, designed by Planned Parenthood, and earn a badge.
* Amarillo, Texas, Girl Scouts sponsored a Planned Parenthood sex education seminar for 4th through 8th graders.
* The national organization openly acknowledged its acceptance of lesbians in leadership positions.
* Kathryn Lopez with the National Review wrote, “The time is long past when parents decide what a girl’s lifestyle should be.”
* Some years ago, Girls Scouts began purging materials of positive references to homemakers.
* The Scouts now promote “girl empowerment,” focusing heavily on a narcissistic devotion to self.
* On NBC’s Today Show, Kathy Cloninger, the CEO of Girls Scouts USA, admitted that it “partners with Planned Parenthood across the country to bring information based sex education programs to girls.”
Here's the thing that we AHG leaders and members hear the most around here from families reluctant to leave GSA: "But our Girl Scout troop has wonderful Christian leaders!" Yup. Our troop did, too. But what our hearts told us was that we were supporting, both financially and physically, a national organization with values we simply did not share.
There are a number of articles on the AHG website about why American Heritage Girls is different from Girls Scouts. (I was shocked--and thrilled--to see that the article I wrote for the upcoming summer issue of TOS is now available to download on the website!) I am excited to be part of this rapidly growing organization. I don't think I've ever met a homeschooler who at some point has not felt burdened to share homeschooling information with--or even "convert"-- our public schooling friends--to convince them that homeschooling is the better choice. I am burdened with a similar desire right now. My burden to share AHG is always strongest at Girl Scout cookie time, as I pass the groups of girls outside of Walmart, hawking their wares. "No thanks!" I've been telling girls for the past few weeks. Next year, I'm going to be prepared with some kind of AHG informational cards to hand out--something gentle and non-abrasive so as not to offend--because quietly refusing just isn't working for me anymore. |
Posted: 2:17 PM, Mar. 24, 2007 |
Comments (1) | Add Comment | Link |
|
Thank you!
| Thanks to Troop 131 families for the wonderful gifts that you gave to us for Christmas! We are truly blessed to be a part of this organization, and we look forward to our meetings resuming in January! |
Posted: 11:01 PM, Jan. 9, 2007 |
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Link |
|
Troop 131 Free Skate
| We finally have the confirmation: our Troop All-Skate will be Thursday, Dec. 7 at 3:30 p.m. at the Smoky Mtn. Skate Center. This will be totally free (rental, too) in celebration of meeting our fundraising goals!
|
Posted: 2:42 PM, Dec. 6, 2006 |
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Link |
|
AHG Troop 131 December Events
Dec. 1: Pioneer/Patriots providing a Parents' Night Out. Please be there by 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 7: Keep this date open! We are trying to schedule a Troop All-Skate at Skate Town as a reward for a fantastic fall fundraiser! This has not yet been confirmed.
Dec. 12, 7 p.m.: Fall Awards Ceremony at First Christian. Girls should be in full uniform. All family and friends are encourage to attend! This will be an exciting evening as girls receive awards. Please bring a snack and drink to share for after the ceremony.
Dec. 14, 3:30 p.m.: Annual Mother/Daughter/Granddaughter Tea at First Christian. This is in place of our regular meeting. We'll enjoy a casual tea and share AHG with the special ladies in our lives. Please bring a plate of Christmas cookies.
Regular meetings will resume the 2nd Thursday in January with the Gardening badge!
|
Posted: 7:32 PM, Nov. 30, 2006 |
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Link |
|
American Heritage Girls Joining Award Requirements
AHG Joining Award
1. Understand and agree to live by the AHG Oath (Explorers and Pioneer/Patriots should memorize)
The Oath
I promise to love God, Cherish my family, Honor my country, and serve in my community.
2. Understand and agree to live by the AHG Creed (Explorers and Pioneer/Patriots should memorize)
The Creed
As an American Heritage Girl, I will
be compassionate, helpful, honest, loyal, perseverant, pure,
resourceful, respectful, responsible, and reverent.
3. Learn the AHG sign
The sign:
Made by raising 4 fingers on your
right hand. This stands for the 4 parts of the AHG Oath. You give the
sign when you say the oath or when you want a group to be quiet.
4. Learn the AHG salute
The salute:
Made by raising 4 fingers of right
hand and bringing that hand just above eyebrows. Used when you are in
full AHG uniform and see the flag pass and when you say the Pledge of
Allegiance, as well as when you are in the Color Guard (in full
uniform).
5. Learn the AHG mission statement
Mission Statement:
To grow women of integrity through service to God, family, community, and country.
6. Present yourself in full uniform.
Tenderfoot girls: white shirt, red vest, blue bottoms
Explorers: white shirt, blue vest, khaki bottoms
Pioneers: white shirt, sash, khaki bottoms
Patriots: red shirt, sash, khaki bottoms
7. Do requirement #1 of the Our Flag badge.
Req. #1 of Our Flag badge (see the handbook for complete details):
Learn how to carry the flag in a flag ceremony
Learn how to display the flag during troop meetings and ceremonies
Learn how to display the American flag along with other flags, such as a state flag
Learn the proper way to carry the flag in a parade by itself and with other flags
Learn what you should not do with the flag
Learn how to properly fold the flag.
Etiquette resources
Displaying the flag
8. Learn the history of AHG.
The History of the American Heritage Girls:
American Heritage Girls was founded
in 1995 in West Chester, Ohio by a group of parents wanting a wholesome
scouting program for their daughters. These parents were disillusioned
with the increasing secular focus of existing scouting 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.
American Heritage Girls began its
first year of programming in the fall of 1995 with about 10 troops and
roughly 100 members. Most of the troops met in the West Chester area
and worked on badges written by the founding parents. Organizational
events were started that year which assisted the organization in tying
city-wide troops together.
American Heritage Girls is a
nonprofit organization dedicated to the mission of building women of
integrity through service to God, family, community and country. The
organization offers merit badge programs, service projects, girl
leadership opportunities and outdoor experiences to its members. This
program of character building has successfully served thousands of
girls since its inception and will continue to do so long into the 21st
century.
The founders of the American Heritage
Girls and the volunteers of today give all credit for the success of
AHG to God for His constant hand upon the organization and His
unceasing blessings.
9. Talk with your leaders about safety during troop meetings. Discuss the buddy system.
10. Have a conference with your leaders. Take time to get acquainted with them and for them to get acquainted with you.
|
Posted: 7:01 PM, Nov. 5, 2006 |
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Link |
|
New American Heritage Girls Troop in Knoxville!
| Exciting news! St. John Neumann Church in Farragut, TN has agreed to charter Knoxville's first American Heritage Girls troop! The soon-to-be Troop 215 has been a work-in-progress for two years, and we are so excited in Maryville's Troop 131 to have a sister troop in Knoxville finally. We look forward to working together to bring more and more American Heritage Girls troops in East Tennessee.
|
Posted: 7:13 PM, Sep. 30, 2006 |
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Link |
|
Meeting, 9/28
* Any girls who would like to be part of choir, please come at 3 p.m. Our regular meeting starts at 3:30 in the sanctuary.
* If you have not turned in your daughter's registration please due so and pay the $22.00 registration fee. If anyone would like to go ahead and pay the $20.00 dues for the year, it would be appreciated.
* We would like to place our order for uniforms and handbooks by October 5th.
Please make sure you have filled out an order form if your daughter needs a uniform or handbook. All of these forms will be in the foyer outside the sanctuary.
* Tenderfoot and Explorer families: If you have puppets that you can bring in to share with your group, please do so! Be sure to LABEL the puppets with your name!! Unusual puppets and marionettes are especially desired!
* A reminder that the new Knoxville troop will be selling East TN coupon books to help them get started. If you'd like to purchase one for $10, please see Pat von Clef at the meeting.
* Volunteers for this week's meeting:
Nursery:
Diane Dunn Cordle
Jenn Fields
Playground
Shirley Goggans
Penny McIntosh
Clean-Up
Kristi Butcher
Andrea Hathaway
We look forward to tomorrow!! Parents are ALWAYS welcome to help out in rooms or just stay to visit!
|
Posted: 12:55 PM, Sep. 27, 2006 |
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Link |
|
Troop TN 131's First Fall Meeting!
Our first meeting this fall is coming up on Thursday, Sept. 14 at First Christian Church. If your daughter would like to be in our choir, please come at 3 p.m. We'll begin our meetings (including choir) up in the sanctuary. Any girl can be in choir. This is just a fun opportunity for girls to get to sing more AHG songs than we usually sing in our opening ceremony.
If your daughter isn't interested in choir, our regular meeting will begin at 3:30. Just come up to the sanctuary and we'll get everyone introduced and put into their own groups. Cub Scouts will also begin at this time (meet downstairs in the fellowship hall). Our first meetings are always somewhat chaotic, but rest assured that an organized system will be in place within a couple of meetings!
Explorer girls should try to buy a blank canvas tote bag (big enough for your handbook) at Hobby Lobby. They are on sale this week for 50% off (total price should be around $1.50 after discount). Pioneer and Patriot girls should bring a video camera if they have one.
This year's leaders:
Pathfinders (K): Julie Griesen and Tammy Freeny
Tenderfoot (grades 1 and 2): Cindy Coleman and Elisah Steinbach
Tenderfoot (grade 3): Pat Hoffman and Teresa McKinnon
Explorer (grade 4): Jennifer McIntyre with Angela Langley and Elaine Walker
Explorer (grades 5 and 6): Michelle Allen and Lara Gresham
Pioneers and Patriots (grades 7 and up): Kelly Cannon and Sheila Jackson
If you have questions, please contact Sarah (shc.small@gmail.com) or Caroline (milnec@bellsouth.net) at any time!
|
Posted: 9:58 PM, Sep. 11, 2006 |
Comments (0) | Add Comment | Link |
|
AHG Summer Camp 2006
Troop 131's Explorers and
Pioneers/Patriots just returned from our first weekend camp at Camp
Tipton. Probably the first word that would come to most of our mind's
to describe the weekend is: HOT! In spite of the heat, I think we all
had a great time. Our weekend activities included:
The Archery Badge
Under the direction of Camp Director Andy Jordan and his
staff, the girls spent Friday evening and Saturday afternoon learning
the fine points of bows and arrows. While the Explorers stuck with the
archery range, the Pioneers and Patriots headed up to the woods to hunt
bear, turkeys, wolves, and deer.
Service Projects
The Pioneers and Patriots put in about 4 hours of very hot but very
productive service for Camp Tipton. Some of the girls painted a sign
for Camp Tipton while the others constructed a roof for the sign. The
last thing they did before leaving at 9:30 p.m. was hang the sign up by
the entrance--satisfaction of a job well done!
The Explorers helped out by screenprinting Camp Tipton t-shirts and
writing "welcome" cards to this year's new Troop 131 members.
Lots of fun!
The weekend wasn't all service and shooting! The girls
had plenty of time for a campfire and s'mores, games, eating, playing,
and just hanging out. Tae'lor organized an amazing talent show that
included everything from dancing to skits to back flips! The evening
ended with a hayride throughout the extensive grounds of Camp Tipton.
Will we do it again next year? You can be sure we'll see more of Camp Tipton--but not in the middle of July!
|
Posted: 8:04 PM, Jul. 16, 2006 |
Comments (2) | Add Comment | Link |
|
|