Starter Kits

I know it might sound like this is just grousing (and it probably is), but I’m a little disappointed with the starter kits offered by GSUSA. They include a vest or sash, a Girls Guide to Scouting, a girls’ journey book, the USA flag patch, a WAGGGS pin, a membership pin, the insignia tab, and a drawstring bag, all for $25.35. You get the drawstring bag for free ($12 value). 

Now you might ask – what can you find to complain about? That’s a pretty good deal, because girls are going to buy those things anyway (except if they are returning and they already have a WAGGGS & membership pin). And I agree for the most part, except for one thing – the inclusion of the journey book. No, this will not be a lengthy complaint about the journeys, and you’ve probably already read a ton of them already. I’ll just pass on that topic for now. 😉 I’d probably just be repeating what some others have said. I’ll be quiet about journeys now.

ANYWAY!

Back to the starter kits! So what’s my problem? Well, I was really hoping we’d kick off our first year as Juniors with a badge or two of their choosing, and then as a troop, we’d pick out a journey to work on in January since it’s a requirement of the Bronze Award. Plus, there’s always a few new girls that join in the fall at different points, and it’s harder to start a journey mid-stream than it is a badge. But most of all, I think it’s important for the girls to pick out their own journey. Girl led, you know!

So if you get the starter pack, then you’ve got a make a quick decision about the journeys sooner than later. Not a HUGE deal, I know, and the girls probably have a gazillion of those drawstring bags anyway. We could go on and pick out a journey at the beginning of the year and do it later, but it doesn’t really make sense to get their attention, make a decision, and then wait a couple of months until we start it.

The starter packs are well intended, but they don’t work for our troop. Que será, será.