THE MIX

THE MIX
Girls joining the Boys in the Challenge

They Dance, they sing, they make freinds, and what??? they are in Boy Scout's uniforms!!!
Yes friends, I have seen the MIX, and its quite lovely to see these Girls defy their limits as they treck the Venture trail, crawl the 10 meters tunnel, swim under water, crawl the commando line, and wow, they lasted the Venture Trail!!! Imagine that energy burning up and down trail which lasted for about 5 hours.

While the "Word War" between GSP and BSP is still on the grill regarding the new BSP program (as per National Memorandum No. 47 s. 2006 or let me call it NM47 or the MIX) allowing GSP members between 13-17 years old to join the Senior Scouting Program, these bunch of Girls from Davao, Rizal, Masbate and other councils took the step of joining the 3rd Scout National Venture in Capitol Hills, Cebu City last October 22-28, 2006. And as far as other councils are concern, they can never say NO to a girl who simply wants to join the Fun and Learning adventure in the Senior Scouting Program, a sign that definitely, theres nothing wrong with the MIX!!! Its only a matter of choice among the girls, afterall scouting is a voluntary organization and the guidelines were laid-out clearly for a win-win situation both for the GSP and the BSP.














The big question is? Why is it so hard for some of us to accept the reality that there are really Girls who loves challenging activities and who loves to try the programs being introduced by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines? Afterall, these girls are volunteers. They came as young students who wanted to have more out of their youth, more learning, more challenge, more friends, more development and no one can take out the name Girl Scouts from them. They are plain Girl Scouts who merely wanted to be more than the usual. Which is why it puzzles me the most? Whats wrong with the MIX?

An excerpt from National Memorandum No. 47, S. 2006
Paragraph # 2...Girls who whish to join the Boy Scouts ......will only be allowed after registering with the girl Scouts.....and securing a parental or guardian consent....

The issue according to some is the SAFETY of the GIRLS, the GENDER differences and more so, the fear of "Lossing the "GIRL SCOUT" identity, I certainly dont agree with this, If a certain institution would allow this MIX to happen, then perhaps each institution would only have to be responsible enough to follow the guidelines laid down as supporting document for the NM47 most particulary the Restrictions

Implimenting Guidelines:

The Mission of the SCOUTING is to educate the youth through a value system based on the scout promise and law taht is designed to create a society of responsible citizens.... it is defined as , "...a volutary, non-political, eduactional movement for young people- open to all without distinction of origin, race, creed, in accordance with the purpose, principles and method conceived by the founder.."
Objective:
To provide opportunities to help girls and boys to develop their full potential, respecting individual differences and not being limited by traditional gender roles.
To contribute to the education of young people (male and female) as equals on the basis of the needs and aspirations of each individual.
Nomenclature:
Female members will be called SENIOR SCOUTS
Restrictions:
- Female Scouts are not allowed to sleep in the same Tent/Room with male Scouts during ANY ACTIVITY
- Separate tent/billeting during indoor or outdoor activity should be EMPHASIZED
- They should also have separate toilet/comfort room and shower room.
- There must ALWAYS be a Qualified Female Leader in ANY outfit that has at least ONE GIRL as member
To summarize:
The guidelines are all laid down, the simple process can only begin with a girl's eagerness to join and can only take-off with a simple approval: Any 13-17 year old girl who thinks she wants to take the challenge and is eager to join the program can consult her institution if it the program is already being implimented. If the institution thinks they can handle the responsibility they will accept the child's application provided she will have to be a registered GSP member first. If the parents believe their child is trustworthy and responsible enough and if they believe their child's institution can provide the safety of their child then they will simply provide their approval. With the four initial requirements fulfilled the Institution will submit the membership application to the council and the council will have to check that all requirements are met. If one of the Four Requirements are not met then the Girl can never be entered as a Senior Scout.

The bottomline is simple, Scouting Teaches one simple Law with 12 points (Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverend), if we are too afraid about this mix then it only means some of us cannot simply obey this one simple Law.














Female Senior Scouts in Type B uniform dance the Sinulog as well as this Senior scouts in yellow council uniforms