The 1970's were tough on Girl Scout identity.
Millwheels through the 1950's & 60's had a jaunty tone. The favorite topics were camping, service projects, and the Dollaballoo. Leaders were almost always shown in full uniform - including the hat.
Then bam! 1970. Cover articles start to worry about fundraising. 1971. Leaders begin to be shown out of uniform!!!!!!!! 1972. Girl Scouts struggling to remain relevant. A leadership conference includes these courses: "Action Now - Ecology" , "Grassroots: Drugs and Sex" , "Women's Lib"
The March 1972 issue has this headline : "Suppose one of your girls said 'I am in real trouble' ?", and gives sound advice on listening to and counseling girls with serious issues - including addiction and pregnancy.
The same issue has an OK article about camp, but the tone of the headline suggests that perhaps the old ways are .....well, maybe just a bit quaint, and perhaps even slightly embarrassing. “ Why should Girl Scouts bother about camp? “
" At camp there is time for making the winter day dreams come true. There is a chance to be independent: and a chance to prove to yourself you’re as grown up as you think you are. New friends are there for the asking… maybe of a different religion or race, but still a sister Girl Scout. There are adventures to be found in the out of doors. There is no better place to learn the principles of conservation, the need for good housekeeping practices, and to try out the ideals of Girl Scouting. Camping can turn the dull hot summer into an exciting experience. Living out of doors is like wearing new shoes: the more you wear them, the more comforatble you feel. Try it on for size. From the smallest Brownie to the tallest leader there’s a place for you at camp. Remember, financial aid is available: check your camp folder for a campership application. "
Everything this writer says is true. But do you notice that she is working really hard to justify the value of camping? We're not just talking campfires and nature crafts here - we have positive race relations, conservation, proving you are grown up and independent. Also the explanation that resident camp can be hard to get used to at first - like a pair of new shoes, but that it gets more comforatble.
Does this sound familiar? Doesn't it sound like us - Trying to convince people that camp is worthwhile, even in this time of radical social change ?
Yeah, I thought so, too. The funny thing is that from the perspective of 40 years later, we know that camping became wildly popular again in the 1980's & 90's . Times change. But the basics stay the same.
Lynn
