Anyone have experience with Campfire Kids USA?

[GoddessOfGuinness]

I'd like to find something like cubscouts for my son, but without the no-girls/gays/atheists-allowed attitude. I like their core values (listed here: http://www.campfire.org/all_about_us/core_values.asp )

Can anyone tell me if they live up to them?

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. No. But thanks for telling me about them.....

I've been looking for an alternative to BSA for my 9 yr old son.

Also, here's another highly regarded group: scoutingforall.org

Good luck.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

3. Thanks!

I'll check it out! :hi:

[Left Is Write]

2. It's been a long, long time.

I was in Camp Fire back in the days when it was only girls. I can't remember how old I was when they began a program for boys too, but I was out of it by then.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

4. I think it's great that they're open to both sexes

And it sounds as if it's the kind of organization that same-sex couples can feel good about getting their kids involved in.

I'm calling the local council tomorrow to ask for more info.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

5. tweak

[GoddessOfGuinness]

6. That sure sank quickly

[Debi]

7. Was in Bluebirds in elementary school then Campfire through middle school

But that was 25 years ago.

I liked Campfire b/c we sold candy instead of cookies (awesome mint sticks and peanut brittle). Always sold out quick cuz I lived near the frathouses/sororities in our college town.

Probably not helping you any am I? ;)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

8. Thanks for the memories, though...

:-)

[Debi]

9. I'm thinking back to the meetings and the camps I went to

and again this is in the 1970's and early 80s. I don't recall prayer services or anything - lots of singing but JohnJacobJingleHymerSmith type songs (Ohhh earworm x() I also remember Father/Daughter night included moms for some of the girls, didn't make a big deal out of it, just our awards ceremony for the year a chance for us to wear our dress up clothes and go to a fancy place for dinner (the college commons room for buffet :P)

[LeftyMom]

10. I was in Campfire after it went co-ed

At least when I was in the younger groups (Bluebirds) usually had a pretty good mix of boys and girls but the older groups (Adventure, Discovery and Horizons, iirc) were almost exclusively female. Maybe that's changed by now.

I never heard anything sexist or discriminatory in participating in my group and volunteering with my younger sister's. I think I heard a passing reference to a non-specific god, but I might be remembering something from Girl Souts, as I was in that too.

The core values seem to reflect my experiences with CampFire fairly well. It's important to find a group where your child relates well. I had the misfortune of being in a group with the sort of girls who bring hair dryers on camping trips, but I think I would've got a lot more out of the experince in a group I could relate to more.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. Considering all the political crap that BSA has become enmeshed with

I'm hoping more families are leaving their ranks...