Nanci Kuykendall

This one was interesting to me, and some of you may be
interested as well. Although it is touted as a Pagan
scouting movement, they do stipulate right up front
that all faiths are welcome and that you can replace
your own faith based activities as applicable, without
prejudice. Many chapters are in the process of
opening up all over the US and Canada.

http://www.aquatabch.org/spiralscouts/

_______________________________________________________
The creation of a nationwide Pagan oriented scouting
program, known as "SpiralScouts" (TM) has been
announced by the Aquarian Tabernacle Church of the
Seattle area, to fill the void left by prejudicial
treatment of other established children's programs. It
is formally incorporated at Imbolc, 2001, and an
appropriate venture for the new millennium.

SpiralScouts, a program for girls and boys working,
playing and learning together, has existed within the
church to benefit member's children for over a year.
Recently word about it spread on the internet and, due
to the great demand, it has been formalized into an
expanded program under the name SpiralScouts
International, Inc., a nonprofit subsidiary of the
ATC. SpiralScouts supplies leadership handbooks,
awards, merit badges and pins, embroidered shoulder
patches, and activities handbooks to make the program
work for you on a local basis.

The program has a unique approach to scouting. Each
group is led by both a male and a female adult, to
achieve and teach that balance that is so central to
Paganism. While it is based on Pagan beliefs and
practices, it is designed to be adaptable by other non
hostile minority faiths as well, by substitution of
the faith based activities with their own. In addition
to the usual fun activities and woods lore, camping
and the customary scouting activities, the program
includes teaching about the many mythologies of the
ancient world. Uniquely, it includes a component new
to scouting - life strategies and skills for teens, to
help them learn early how to have good relationships
with their peers and adults, and interpersonal skills
that will serve them throughout their adult lives.

Thomas F. Kuykendall

Yes, Spiral Scouts was an option that Nanci and I looked into. But, I want to warn everyone of my personal experience that resulted in me not considering Spiral Scouts as an option. I joined their main email list and it seemed to me that nearly every topic was on Paganism and how to tailor Spiral Scouts into a Pagan theme. Yes they say they are a Pagan oriented system and welcome other relegious beliefs. But, to me it felt as if Paganism was being spoon fed to me on a daily basis. This bothered me a bit and when I made a comment about it I ended up stirring up the hornets nest. I got the impression that they welcomed other religions, but you better be ready to do things the Pagan way or leave. So, I left.
If you do decide to consider Spiral Scouts as an option, just be forwarned that they do take their Pagan foundation seriously. I was told that Local Chapters could be made into what you wanted. Spiral Scouts didn't sit well with me because I am soooo anit-organized religious and Spiral Scouts seemed too much like an organized Pagan religious foundation. I guess to me it felt like I was back in Sunday School and all activities were based around the church and christianity.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Tom Kuykendall
Message: 7
Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2002 19:11:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: Nanci Kuykendall <aisliin@...>
Subject: Scouting Alternatives- An Option

This one was interesting to me, and some of you may be
interested as well. Although it is touted as a Pagan
scouting movement, they do stipulate right up front
that all faiths are welcome and that you can replace
your own faith based activities as applicable, without
prejudice. Many chapters are in the process of
opening up all over the US and Canada.

http://www.aquatabch.org/spiralscouts/

_______________________________________________________
The creation of a nationwide Pagan oriented scouting
program, known as "SpiralScouts" (TM) has been
announced by the Aquarian Tabernacle Church of the
Seattle area, to fill the void left by prejudicial
treatment of other established children's programs. It
is formally incorporated at Imbolc, 2001, and an
appropriate venture for the new millennium.

SpiralScouts, a program for girls and boys working,
playing and learning together, has existed within the
church to benefit member's children for over a year.
Recently word about it spread on the internet and, due
to the great demand, it has been formalized into an
expanded program under the name SpiralScouts
International, Inc., a nonprofit subsidiary of the
ATC. SpiralScouts supplies leadership handbooks,
awards, merit badges and pins, embroidered shoulder
patches, and activities handbooks to make the program
work for you on a local basis.

The program has a unique approach to scouting. Each
group is led by both a male and a female adult, to
achieve and teach that balance that is so central to
Paganism. While it is based on Pagan beliefs and
practices, it is designed to be adaptable by other non
hostile minority faiths as well, by substitution of
the faith based activities with their own. In addition
to the usual fun activities and woods lore, camping
and the customary scouting activities, the program
includes teaching about the many mythologies of the
ancient world. Uniquely, it includes a component new
to scouting - life strategies and skills for teens, to
help them learn early how to have good relationships
with their peers and adults, and interpersonal skills
that will serve them throughout their adult lives.





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