Girl Scouts Under Microscope

Details: 04 May 2012

Over the past few years there have been a growing number of concerns expressed about materials and practices of the Girl Scouts. Some of the concerns emanate from the national level (Girl Scouts USA or GSUSA) and some from state councils and individual troops.

Concerns about the Girl Scouts have appeared in numerous articles on pro-life or Catholic websites and have gotten the attention of Catholic parents and bishops. The concerns include: GSUSA’s associations with groups that espouse morally offensive policies and practices, and GSUSA publications that contain web links or references to groups and/or individuals that espouse views contrary to Catholic teaching.

At the request of the Nebraska Bishops I have undertaken an effort to examine and verify these concerns and to determine if the Girl Scouts are responding to them in a satisfactory manner. Similar examinations are underway by some dioceses in other states as well as by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth.

I am very fortunate to have a knowledgeable and experienced collaborator in this examination. Mrs. Michele Chambers has been a troop leader in Lincoln for the Girl Scouts for many years in addition to being a pro-life activist and natural family planning coordinator for the Diocese of Lincoln. Consequently, she is uniquely positioned to critically and credibly examine the practices and materials of the Girl Scouts.

Last week, Mrs. Chambers and I met with two top leaders for the Girl Scouts of Nebraska. The purpose of the meeting was to gather facts and to begin discussing the various concerns mentioned previously.

The first part of our discussion centered on organizational and financial matters. The Girl Scout Council of Nebraska (known as "Spirit of Nebraska" Council) is one of 112 councils in the United States. Each council is fairly autonomous from GSUSA—more of a franchise than an affiliate—and is responsible for its own fundraising and programming.

As for its fundraising, all proceeds raised from local troop dues, product sales, individual or corporate donations or other activities (except Girl Scout logos, pins, etc) stay with the local troop and the state council. This includes all proceeds from cookie and nut sales. GSUSA does not receive any of these funds.

In addition to troop dues, each girl and adult member pays $12 in national dues annually, all of which goes to the national office (GSUSA). GSUSA says that all of the funds raised from these dues are used to pay for administrative services provided to state councils free of charge or at a discount.

The second part of our discussion focused on concerns about content in some of the Girl Scout publications as well as its associations with organizations that espouse immoral policies and practices such as Planned Parenthood and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS).

Regarding the first matter, I was informed that decisions about programming materials and activities are made by individual troops with assistance from the state council and GSUSA. The only programming materials produced by GSUSA are the Journey Books and Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouts.

The problematic web links or references to groups and/or individuals that espouse views contrary to Catholic teaching are contained in the older girls Journey Books. However, GSUSA has begun to make changes to these books to remove most, if not all, of these references.

Regarding the second matter, the decision to associate with Planned Parenthood appears to be made by state councils or local troops. The Nebraska leadership (confirmed by Mrs. Chambers) assures that the Spirit of Nebraska Council will not associate with Planned Parenthood. GSUSA’s association with WAGGGS, however, remains problematic.

There is more work to be done in examining the Girl Scouts, particularly at the national level. In this regard, I eagerly await the results of the USCCB’s efforts. In the meantime, it doesn’t appear that parents of Girl Scouts in Nebraska need to take any immediate action other than keeping a watchful eye on the programs and activities in their local troops.

You can contact Greg at The Nebraska Catholic Conference, 215 Centennial Mall South Suite 310, Lincoln, NE 68508; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.