kjpepper | Okay, this is too cool not to share (Reply)

briefly breaking my silence... but dude - PAGAN SCOUTING!

from http://spiralscouts.org:

SpiralScouts International, a program for girls and boys of minority faiths working, growing and learning together debuted in February of 2001. SpiralScouts began as an organized children's program within the Aquarian Tabernacle Church (ATC).

Word of the program spread and the ATC formalized SpiralScouts into an expanded program now available to anyone worldwide.The program has a unique approach to youth programming. Each group is led by both a male and a female adult, to achieve and teach the balance that is so central to Earth-centered beliefs. While SpiralScouts was developed on Pagan beliefs and practices, it is designed to be adaptable by other minority faiths as well. In addition to traditional woodland lore, camping and the outdoor living skills, the program includes teaching the many mythologies of the ancient world. Uniquely, it includes a component new to youth group programming - 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.
Within the program there are three levels of child participation:

FireFlies - FireFlies, who range from preschoolers through age 8;

SpiralScouts - ranging from age 8 through 14;

PathFinders - who range from 14 upward.

Groups are organized into Circles, which may be made up of Hearths for the different age groups.

Currently, SpiralScouts; serves youth in 20 US States and several provinces in Canada. Our program is experiencing explosive growth as families look for alternatives to traditional outdoor youth group programs.

...considering that's the first thing that's made me smile today, I figured it was worth passing along. There aren't any groups in MA yet (!!!), but there is a Yahoo group, so the interest is definitely there.

yes,