I can't stand idly by while there is tacit agreement that the Girl Scouts "don't do enough cool stuff." That is aboslute nonsense. I was a Girl Scout until I graduated from high school -- not so I could wear green and sell cookies, but because I joined a council-level troop that did nothing but backpacking trips -- week or two-week excursions on the Long Trail, in the Adirondacks,in the Catskills, and on the AT, among other places. Plenty of firebuilding, if you like that kind of thing. There are also Wider Opportunities, programs where girls from around the country meet together to participate in adventure travel/learning. If the local council doesn't do "cool stuff" it's up to the parents to start the cool stuff. Scouting can only be as good as its leaders.

The best thing about Girl Scouts to me has always been its forward-thinkingness and inclusivity. I know GSA will never buckle under a letter-writing campaign such as is described here; I'm not too worried.

Aas an educator, I don't recommend the Boy Scouts to most boys. For some it seems to be a wonderful thing; but I don't believe it's developmentally appropriate, or does much to encourage boys in any direction other than highly traditional, rigid modes of interaction.

They are two very different organizations.