About Time!

[wagionvigil]

Girls In Venturing that earned the GSUSA Gold Award can now wear it on their Venturing Uniform Left Pocket. It is about time this is allowed.

[divermann]

AGREED! Long time coming.

[ThunderingWind]

Next step, getting the knot approved for "every day" wear.

[wagionvigil]

Next step, getting the knot approved for "every day" wear.

One Step at a time

[AquilaNegra2]

Does that mean that Venturing now supports the GSUSA and its policies? If so, this is a very sad day indeed.

[wagionvigil]

Does that mean that Venturing now supports the GSUSA and its policies? If so, this is a very sad day indeed.

No, it is giving the young ladies the credit for what they have earned, period.

I do not agree with what GSUSA has done with their program but we should never slight a young lady because of the policies of Adults. If a young lady wants to join our program and has earned GSUSA top award then she should be recognized as having it. Venturing at this time is in limbo but BSA needs the program for several reasons. Next weekend we are having our Area venturing event and I guarantee that it will be 75% female 25% Male in attendance. The girls want and need our program and we need to make it work. I know of an all girl crew that went to Philmont a couple years ago all had the GSUSA Gold Award.

[smtroop168]

Just curious on what was driving this decision. Also pardon my ignorance ( I could look it up I guess), but can the Venture awards be worn on a BSA or GSA uniform? How about other awards from other youth organizations like the 4-H? Seems to me that you would only wear awards earned for the particular program on that program's uniform.

[wagionvigil]

Just curious on what was driving this decision. Also pardon my ignorance ( I could look it up I guess), but can the Venture awards be worn on a BSA or GSA uniform? How about other awards from other youth organizations like the 4-H? Seems to me that you would only wear awards earned for the particular program on that program's uniform.

AS far as I know the reason is as follows. Many of the Young ladies that are really pushing Venturing Re Gold Award recipants. AS far as wearing on other uniforms I believe this is the only Non BSA earned award allowed on any uniform. THis has been an on going debate between National and Venturing Advisors around the country. Many many of the Crews are also GSUSA Registered Troops. I am all for it Ireally think it will help the program.
The Only Venturing award on BSA uniforms is Powder Horn but I also Think that any Venturing Square knot could be worn on a BSA Uniform. Check the Insignia Guide

[smtroop168]

The Only Venturing award on BSA uniforms is Powder Horn but I also Think that any Venturing Square knot could be worn on a BSA Uniform. Check the Insignia Guide

Thanks..I figured someone was driving this and I was thinking of youth awards only. I thought Powerhorn was an Adult award or can ventures 18-21 earn as well?

Most knots are adult uniform items and IMHO the BSA has too many.

You need an autographed IG?

[AquilaNegra2]

Thank you, SM. I think it ought to be across the board or BSA-only. There are other Scouting groups whose ideals more closely align with BSA than GSUSA.

[smtroop168]

I have no issues with the GSA. They have an extremely difficult time retaining girls past the 6th grade as their peer pressure is much higher than the BSA.

AN2.....Which groups do you speak of?

[AquilaNegra2]

There is one list here: http://kidsactivities.suite101.com/arti ... ternatives - a simple search will yield many.

GSUSA is not part of BSA. If Venturing, which IS part of BSA, is going to allow GSUSA awards to be worn, it should also allow other groups as well. Otherwise, it *appears* that BSA is aligning themselves with them. That may not be true, but it is the appearance.

[wagionvigil]

There is one list here: http://kidsactivities.suite101.com/arti ... ternatives - a simple search will yield many.

GSUSA is not part of BSA. If Venturing, which IS part of BSA, is going to allow GSUSA awards to be worn, it should also allow other groups as well. Otherwise, it *appears* that BSA is aligning themselves with them. That may not be true, but it is the appearance.

I do not think there are near the numbers from these other groups in Venturing as there are from GSUSA. The Girls that are going to be at Quest this weekend will be mostly GSUSA Converts. Those that are not are just in Venturing. DO we have whole troops from these other groups registered as Ventures? I have not seen it around here but I do see entire GSUSA Troops Cross Registered.I know of Whole neighborhoods and I actually know of a council that all there older giral troops are cross registered. Can you say this for these othere groups?

[wagionvigil]

Wow just looked at that list Interesting a lot of " Christian Only" Groups.

[ThunderingWind]

While this has gotten of topic, let me add this presective...

This is NOT the result of the BSA aligning/joining with the GSUSA, rather is it is recognizing the efforts of a large segment of our youth.

1) Many girls use the GSUSA Gold Award as part of their Bronze/Gold/Silver work in the Crew - BECAUSE the BSA allows this dual credit and we are supporting the overall growth of these fine young ladies

2) An even simpler view is to look at the PRAY awards. A youth can eaarn them at his church without being in Scouts because they are NOT a Scouting award. However, should the youth earn one or more while in Scouts, the BSA has chosen to recognize this accoplishment. The same can now be said for the the GSUSA Gold.

Do not try to read to much into the change being presented by the BSA. I think "they" are finally listening to what is going on the the trenches (so to speak).

Any girl that comes to my Crew and tells me she is GS, I encourage her to stay with both programs and work with her to see that she gets the fair credit for her efforts. I even encourage our other Crew members to support her Gold Project if there is some work to be done just like supporting the boys who are working on an Eagle Leadership project.

Back to OP topic. I am glad. Now we need to start a letter writing project to National and ask that the knot developed in the Western Region be approved for official wear and on equal terms with the PRAY Knot for both youth and adults retroactively.

[kwildman]

Most of the christian only groups are in response to the GCUSA policies of allowing gay leaders and their softer position of the Duty to God. The GCUSA are allowed to make their own rules and they seem to work for them. Allowing a Girl Scout to be recognized for her advancement on a BSA uniform does not mean that the BSA aligns themselves with this group or supports their decisions. Girl Scouts and their leaders that join Venturing are held to the BSA standards on issues of religion and morality.

[Billiken]

On April 29, 2005 I submitted a formal proposal re this topic to the previous Chief Scout Executive.

I asked that a knot be created for Venturers and female leaders that earned the GSUSA Gold Award.
My co-den leader, at the time, had earned the Gold Award as a youth.

I got a letter back from some subordinate....nearly jibberish.
No; "yes, no, we'll think about, thanks for the idea"

Talked about the knots/awards from organizations outside Scouting.
Nothing that would come close as a reply to my request/idea.

Was almost like: "The BSA should recognize holders of the GSUSA Gold Award"
Response, "It might rain in Scarsdale tomorrow."

[Scouter&mom]

I always wonder why Gold Award is the only one recognized and not Silver. The requirements are very similar except the number of hours for project.... and the one thing that the girls cannot change. Must be Senior Scout to earn gold.... 14-18 in high school. The Silver Award you must be a Cadette in Middle school or age 11-14. My daughter spent as much time on her Silver project doing a safety fair for elementary school kids as my son did on his Eagle project repairing playground at church.

Girls don't always have the opportunity to be Senior Scouts, since they are a separate troop, from Cadettes, requiring additional leaders and scout members. Many areas don't have senior troops. I don't think there are no more than about 3-4 in our entire 34 county council.

(corrected spelling)