Scouts BSA DC Troop 248 for Girls - Scoutmaster Answers Your Questions

[cburkhardt]

Equipment and Uniform Contributions Welcomed

Yes. Our Children could use all of your used camping equipment. We already have applications from five under-resourced families who live in our City and who would like their girls to become Eagle Scouts someday. They have nothing. If you want to, swing by at 9:30 AM (just before our open house) this Saturday morning at the Church (All Souls Episcopal, 2300 Cathedral Ave., NW) and bring what you have. We have 2 Assistant Scoutmasters who are managing our equipment acquisition and they will provide it to grateful young Scouts. Anyone else reading this who has camping equipment in good shape that you want to contribute is invited to do the same. These girls also need clean BSA tan uniforms -- but in the smaller sized (BSA small and medium in shirt sizes).

Scholarships

As we grow Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls in our City we will be further building our scholarship fund to send girls from under-resourced families to Scouts BSA summer camp and provide other activities and things for them. Since we are new, we will not go to the community for support until later this fall, after we have a good track record and after our fall girl-member drive. We will not engage girls in product sales. Rather, we will have them concentrate on learning scoutcraft skills. We adults will raise money only for the purpose of supporting these girls during a one-a-year morning coffee reception.


Again, Thank You to Everyone


I am kind of overwhelmed by the interest and kindness shown by so many on this posting. Such a large number of very thoughtful questions and suggestions which keep on coming after a week.

[Anonymous]

cburkhardt wrote:Equipment

Thanks for the reminder that camping equipment need not be expensive. The nature of camping equipment is much lighter, smaller and less expensive than is was even 10 years ago. We are adopting a best-practices approach right from the start with Scouts BSA Troop 248 for Girls, and are encouraging minimalism.

LOL, I know, I was just teasing you -- no one really uses bedrolls anymore.

Just trying to keep bumping up your thread so people see it!

[cburkhardt]

I guess you got me there! I recall seeing directions on how to make bedrolls in the Scout Handbook of my youth, but never saw or heard of anyone actually using one. And, sleeping bags are fairly inexpensive these days.

[Anonymous]

cburkhardt wrote:Girl Led

Thanks for the thoughts on the importance of having the girls do the leading and the adults do the advising.

For older youth who are interested in a BSA program that is youth led by design, check out Venture Scouts. It has been co-ed for decades, is co-ed, and is for youth 14 through 21.

My DD is involved with a crew that camps or does adventure activities monthly, that are chosen and organized by the scouts. The leaders are in fact called advisors, not leaders.

[cburkhardt]

I agree. Venturing is a great organization for high schoolers who are interested in a vigorous outdoor program targeted to that age group. Venturing "Crews" are fully co-ed and have been that way since 1969. Venturing has its own advancement system, but youth who have started their Scouts BSA advancement activity in a Scouts BSA "Troop" can finish it off within a Venturing "Crew". All of these programs can be accessed by identifying a unit to join by clicking: https://beascout.scouting.org/.

[cburkhardt]

Incidentally, we now have 30 Scouts BSA Troops for Girls across the metropolitan area showing on the BeAScout website and will add about 10 additional ones over the next week or so. https://beascout.scouting.org/. So, there are now plenty of opportunities to get your girls into Scouts BSA.