Have I told you about Keepers yet, more than just in passing?
Renee and I (usual partners in crime) conceived of starting a group for our girls. I know many people have had their girls in Girl Scouts and had great experience, but it just wasn't right for my family. I've heard too many negative things about the group (from supporting Planned Parenthood that offers no-consent abortions to supporting the feminist agenda, to encouraging independence rather than family togetherness) for us to be a part of it. But back on topic...
Our church has a Keepers at Home group for mothers and daughters, and a Contenders for the Faith group for fathers and sons. Looking into the groups online, they sounded great... but then I found out our church's groups are related only by name - they don't use the curriculum or awards provided by Keepers of the Faith.
What I love about Keepers is that it emphasizes a lot of the skills our daughters will need to be Godly women, mothers, and homemakers. All while having a great time with friends and family, and while earning awards, like their brothers are in Cub Scouts.
So we started our own group by inviting some other homeschool moms to join us. The families you saw at camp this summer were all part of our group, along with 2 other families that weren't able to make it.
[The older women should teach the younger...]"To love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2:4b-5
I had a disagreement with a family member this summer about the topic of girls. She believes they should be encouraged to go off to college and pursue a career. I think they should be encouraged to be wives and mothers and keepers at home, as the Bible instructs. But then again, I disagree with certain members of my extended family on a lot of topics - respect for our husbands, modesty, politics, homeschooling, youthgroups, age segregation... to name a few.
So far most our group has covered the following topics:
- Latch-Hooking (I know, not a very useful skill, but this was for fun, and the skill of sticking with a task to completion).
- Butterflies
- Jam-Making
- Letter Writing
- Being a Good Hostess
and have plans for the rest of the calendar year with:
- Apples (including pie-making and applesauce, and a tour of an apple farm)
- Table Setting
- AND a Christmas Cookie Decorating Party!
Sure, these are all things we will cover at home, but isn't it more fun with friends? (For the kids and the moms!)
Thank you so much for giving more explaination to Keepers at Home. My friend and I are seriously considering starting a group in Jan. I might be picking your brain more in the future. Have a great week! See you tuesday!
Posted by: Chantel M | 10/06/2008 at 03:24 AM
Hilary,
Thank you so much for thinking to invite Ella and I. We love it, and I am so thankful for the opportunity for Ella to be learning these things alongside of other girls who are also being raised by the Titus 2:5 standard.
What a blessing it has been!
~Stacy
Posted by: Stacy | 10/06/2008 at 04:31 AM
Could you tell me what you mean by age segregation? I totally agree with the rest of what you said, but didn't understand what you meant by this.. Thanks.
Posted by: Tammy | 10/06/2008 at 04:58 AM
Hey! I recognize Stacy and her girls...funny. :) Your blog is refreshing.
I am exhausted at trying to NOT be offended all the time when I read blogs that are so different than mine. Which is fine, but I just like to read stuff that doesn't rile me up sometimes. haha.
So, nice to meet you. :)
Posted by: Emily | 10/06/2008 at 04:19 PM
Love Keziah's enthusiasm in that photo...
Posted by: Renee | 10/07/2008 at 01:49 PM