I haven't read Bowling Alone yet but I plan to. I'm becoming more aware of some of the community institutions of my youth will not be around for much longer. I'm thinking about such things as Legion Halls and - something that recently crossed my mind - Girl Guides.

Oh yes, I was a Brownie and a Girl Guide and a Pathfinder to boot back in the day when we would wear the almost military uniforms of brown, blue, and green. When I think back at it all, I can hardly believe that I loved it all for a time. I've forgotten so much about it already... I can't even remember what pack I used to belong to (elves, gnomes, fairies, kelpies etc for Brownies; daffodils, daisies and robins and orioles for Guides)

What I think got me hooked were those damn badges.. It made for such a strange dynamic: small children following orders, learning about camping and 'being prepared' and performing community service just for badges. And then there was that strange Christian and military subtext to it all.

I wonder how much longer Guiding will last...

posted at 1:29 PM