American Heritage Girls challanges Girl Scouts "moral relativism"

The Cincinnati Enquirer ^ | Monday, March 22, 2004 | Karen Vance

[yankeedame]

Monday, March 22, 2004

Scouting alternative based in Springdale

By Karen Vance
Enquirer contributor

SPRINGDALE,OH - A controversy surrounding a Girl Scout council in Texas is drawing new interest to a faith-based organization for girls that was created in Greater Cincinnati nearly a decade ago.

A Brownie troop leader in Crawford, Texas, recently decided to disband her Girl Scout troop and start an outfit affiliated with the American Heritage Girls, a group formed in 1995 by a handful of West Chester Township parents.

"I was brainstorming about how to go about starting my own scouting organization," said Donna Coody, leader of the disbanded Troop 7087. Coody decided to pull out of the Girl Scouts after learning the area council in Texas endorsed a sex education class with what she calls "pornographic" materials. "We were praying about it, and I knew we needed to do something."

The controversy began to unfold in February when a local anti-abortion activist started running ads on Christian radio stations urging people to boycott Girl Scout cookies because of the Texas Bluebonnet Council's relationship with Planned Parenthood. Coody became concerned after learning that the council also recommended a sex education class by Planned Parenthood that included graphic materials.

Since the controversy began, American Heritage Girls, which has its offices in Springdale, has been receiving about 50 phone calls a day asking for information.

"This is not an isolated incident," said Patti Garibay, the founder and executive director of American Heritage Girls.

Garibay was a leader for two troops, recruiter of troop leaders and a day camp director for the Girl Scouts. Then in 1993, she was concerned about changes in the Girl Scout promise and what she calls "moral relativism" in the handbook.

She started the non-denominational Christian American Heritage Girls, and the organization now has 3,000 girls in 95 troops in 22 states; 60 of the troops are in Greater Cincinnati. The group grew 45 percent last year and expects to get even bigger this year, Garibay said.

"I've never encouraged boycotting cookies or anything like that," she said. "I just want to make it so parents can be aware of what's going on and make the best decision for their children."

Locally, the Three Rivers Council of the Girl Scouts, which serves 23,500 scouts in nine counties in southwest Ohio and southeast Indiana, has no affiliation with Planned Parenthood. The organization leaves sex education up to individual troops' discretion, said Melissa Wisby, communications director for the council.

For local troop leader Patti Diersing, the decision to leave Girl Scouts and join American Heritage Girls was because of more emphasis on service and patriotism.

"As soon as I heard about them, I looked into it and I loved the program," said Diersing, of Troop OH802 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Delhi Township.

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For more information

For more information about American Heritage Girls,
visit www.ahgonline.org

[Guillermo]

They beter not get to big, otherwise they'll become a target for vicious attack like the Boy Scouts have become.

[TheSpottedOwl]

Since the controversy began, American Heritage Girls, which has its offices in Springdale, has been receiving about 50 phone calls a day asking for information.

I first heard about Heritage Girls from a thread on FR. Unfortunately there aren't any troops here...yet. It sounds like a wonderful alternative to the Girl Scouts.

[FormerLib]

This sounds interesting, but I wonder how long they can continue before the leftist media brands them a "hate group?"

[John123]

I have never been a Boy Scout as a kid and I don't have kids. Would I be safe assuming that the Boy Scouts is a conservative group while the Girl Scouts are more oriented down the liberal side? Why?

[kittymyrib]

I think this organization is a great idea. Christian parents can support it wholeheartedly for their daughters. The "morally neutral" parents can have the PC-approved Girl Scouts who have dumped every reference to God. Everybody's happy!

[zipper]

American Heritage Girls oath:

"I promise to love God,
Cherish my family,
Honor my country,
and Serve in my community."

Clearly a racist, homophobic group of religious fanatics that must be stopped!

 

[Guillermo]

And they shall not be allowed to congregate in any Public Place, because of their intolerant, hateful views.

[GraniteStateConservative]

BSA is more conservative. The misconception is thinking the two groups have anything to do with one another. I thought the same thing until a few years ago just because their names are similar. The people that found them, etc. had totally different agendas and everything.

[lizma]

The National level of the GS went to the dark side decades ago but they pretty much leave the individual troops alone (that is after the dues are collected .)

[NYer]

Build it and they will come!

Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list

[Bonaparte]

"They beter not get to big..."

The ACLU could very well decide to go after them before they get too big. Even though the USSC has ruled freedom of association to be constitutional (surprise, surprise), the ACLU and homosexual lobby will do all they can to suppress that right.

[EdReform]

BTTT

[momfirst]

Thank you for the post! It couldn't have come at a better time. I've been thinking of getting my 7 yr old daughter into Girl Scouts naively thinking it was morally based. If we don't have an American Heritage group here, I may just have to look into starting one!

[jaugust]

Considering the BSA's opposition to having gay scouts I would say that they are conservative. Also look at what the UNITED WAY's attitude is toward the BOY SCOUTS. Because of their stance, I refuse to contribute one penny to the UW.

[gobucks]

Thank you for posting this article.

[netmilsmom]

Start here....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1090718/posts

[WorkingClassFilth]

Cool. Thanks for the links - I have a young-un that might be interested in this!

[mathluv]

My daughter was a den mother for both of her boys. She is now a scout leader for her girls. Both are based on conservative values. You have to watch the area councils. I told her about Waco, and she checked on the one she is in.

It is the same with school. Parent involvement is important.

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT