Pagan Scouts

Pagan Scouts

<http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=6124046>

5/6/2008 Fresno, CA (KFSN) -- A scouting organization founded by
Pagans is opening a chapter in the Central Valley.

The local troop leader of Spiral Scouts says it's dedicated to
reverence for nature and religious tolerance. Beckie Tetrault says for
her son and daughter it's an alternative to Boy Scouts and Girl
Scouts. She says,"Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts tend to separate boys and
girls and I wanted them to be able to scout together."

The other issue for Tetrault is religion. While Girl Scouts have no
religious affiliations, Boy Scout troops are usually sponsored by
churches, and belief in God is a requirement for member****p. "There's
not really an issue with Boy Scouts, it's just that they are more
Christian centered. Whereas Spiral Scouts is a more earth based
scouting experience." Tetrault explains.

The National Spiral Scouting organization was started by Wiccans, who
believe in an Earth God and Goddess, and practice witchcraft. But
Spiral Scouts is open to all faiths. That's one reason Angela Rahn
says she wants her kids in Spiral Scouts. "I would just like to have
my children involved with other children who are being raised the way
my children are, which is being open to all religions even ones that
are outside of the Christian faith."

Spiral Scouts will do things like work on merit badges, do crafts
projects and go camping.

Tetrault says offering a pagan appreciation of nature, is not teaching
religion. "This is not Pagan Sunday School or anything like that, we
just tend to be more focused on earth centered belief systems." She
adds, it's "More like, looking at, taking care of mother earth, and
how our actions affect mother earth, and how we can do things to
improve the situation for all people and all animals."

The Fresno based Spiral Scouts troop meets at the Fresno Discovery
Center on Saturdays.