Girl Scout Collection (Audio)

These articles, pamphlets, and stories relating to the Girls Scouts of America touch on the history, activities, ideals, and traditions of this remarkable girls' organization. Though some of the articles appear redundant, they were selected to represent a contemporary view spanning five years of the organization's early popularity (1917-1921).

Of significance are the detailed descriptions of Girl Scout involvement in war work during what is now known as World War I. Girl Scouts were prepared through their training for merit badges to be independent, resourceful, reliable, and helpful. They were able to make their own clothes, grow and cook their own food, care for the sick, and start a small business--skills that prepared young women for their future roles as homemakers, workers, and citizens.

A version of the story "The Brownies" is still part of the Brownie Girl Scout literature into the 21st century. The Encyclopaedia and Dictionary of Education edited by Foster Watson (1921) provides the following explanation under the entry for "Girl Guides": "The 'Brownies' are children under 11, who take two promises only, and whose motto is 'Lend a hand.' The scheme is based on Mrs. Ewing's story of the 'Brownies.'"

Though not an official Girl Scout story, The Tadger Tales have become a tradition with many Girl Scout summer camp programs. The stories are read aloud and acted out with improvisation and much silliness. The event concludes with a secret Tadger club ritual involving a safety pin, some tape, and a bit of string.

01 - Girl Scout Movement in the Public Schools by Mae Marsh
02 - Girl Scouts by Mrs. Theodore H. Price
03 - Girl Scouts as an Educational Force by Juliette Low
04 - Girl Scouts - Their Works, Ways, and Plays by Girl Scouts, Inc.
05 - Girl Scouts - Their History and Practice by Girl Scouts, Inc.
06 - Why I Believe in Scouting for Girls by Mary Roberts Rinehart
07 - Girl Scouts - A Training School for Womanhood by Kate Douglas Smith Wiggin
08 - How Scouting Began by Robert Baden Powell
09 - Girl Scout Leaders by Esther Eaton
10 - Educational Work of the Girl Scouts by Louise Stevens Bryant
11 - The Tadger Tales by Jane Shaw Ward
12 - The Brownies by Juliana Horatia Ewing