My 7 year old sister is in a browine troop that I pushed to get started at our chuch this fall (we actually ended up needing 2 troops, why they can't just have dens I have no idea).
Because GSUSA is set up DIFFERENTLY from BSA.
Most are pretty disapointed with the current policy of the National Girl Scouts. But lucky for us (th church) it's our program.
Actually, it's not. It is the program of the GSUSA. COMPLETELY.
The thinking of the current leaders and most of the other parents is that as soon as the girls turn 14 they will switch over to the Venture Crew
Wow, I've never heard of a Venture Crew of the PARENTS of 14 year olds! It must be the parents you are talking about, because I don't see how anyone can force a 14 year old girl (or boy) to join a program if they don't want to.
Currently the church has no plans to offer GS for past the age of 14 and won't as long as I have any influance over it.
Actually, the only thing that you, or your church, have any influence over is if they allow the GSUSA Troops to meet on their property. If these girls want to stay in Girl Scouting past the age of 14, they have a parent who is willing to be a Troop Adviser, & they can find somewhere to meet (many older girl groups meet at their homes), there is nothing you can say or do to stop them. The girls who do not want to stay Girl Scouts will simply drop out of the Troop. A big part of the GSUSA program is progression & teaching the girls independence. If the GSUSA program is followed, the girls learn early on (1st grade) that the Troop is THEIRS. Not, the leaders, not the churches where they meet, but THEIRS. They gradually learn to take on more & more of the decision making in their Troop. By the time they are 14, they should be making many of the Troop decisions themselves & getting much closer to running their own Troop.
The thing that you seem to be having trouble understanding is that your church does NOT OWN the Girl Scout Troops that meet at their facility. The GSUSA charter is set up DIFFERENTLY from that of BSA. Your local GSUSA COUNCIL owns all of it's Troops.
BTW - GSUSA has NOT taken God out of their Promise (they do not have an oath). Actually, it is the very FIRST thing they promise to do. They simply acknowledge the fact that not every girl's "higher power" is named God & allow them to use the name that they feel comfortable with & refer to in their OWN religion (ie - Allah). If you have a problem with GSUSA being open to all different religions, then the problem here is NOT GSUSA & the Girl Scout Promise.
Back on the original subject - I REALLY like the idea of wearing the round GS Gold/Silver patch as a temporary patch on the BSA/Venturing uniform. As the patch is of the "unofficial" variety, it does not need any special paperwork to purchase it. The girls can get another one easily without having to take the original off of their GS vest! Of course, most girls might not want to be that "in your face" wearing that big blue patch on the front of their uniform. In that case, I think the necklace is a perfect solution.