destinations: travel for girls 11-17

  destinations (formerly known as wider ops) are new experiences, new challenges, new discoveries and new friends!! Do you love to travel? Then you won’t want to miss this web site: www.studio2B.org/escape/destinations. destinations give girls the opportunity to travel nationally and internationally to explore sports, arts, science and culture. Currently there are 59 different destinations for you to choose from. Certainly you’ll find one that exactly matches your interests!

In recent years, participants had the chance to sample campus life, visit the original Air Force One presidential jet, tour Savannah, Georgia, and get scuba diving certification. Specially designed wilderness expeditions were also offered where girls could navigate river rapids, challenge themselves on ropes courses, rock-climbs, and rappels. A wide variety of destinations are being offered again this year. Here are just a few of the opportunities being offered: Mexico! Sea of Cortez, Newfoundland Sea & Mountain Adventure, Scuba Michigan 2005, Fly Girls!, Oregon Splashdown! Whitewater Rafting, Aerospace Career Explore, Life’s A Beach (in California), Alaska: Midnight Sun Sea. Now – how can you resist those?

I know exactly what you’re thinking – “How can I afford such a trip?’ Well, that’s the best part of all!! Our council will pay half of your travel expenses and event fee!! Can you believe that?!?!? Girls who are accepted to go on destinations can count on STC to reimburse them for half the event fee and commercial transportation costs! Cookie Dough may also be used, and you can do some additional money earning activities. International destinations event fees are paid by the Juliette Gordon Low World Friendship Fund! DO NOT LET MONEY KEEP YOU FROM APPLYING.

  destinations is totally online In the past, girls have learned about Girl Scout travel opportunities through a booklet that was mailed to them at home. The booklet is no more. All destinations events will be posted on the STUDIO 2B Web site within the ESCAPE section, www.studio2B.org/escape/destinations. Girl Scouts ages 12-18 will receive a postcard in the fall from GSUSA directing them to this Web site and about upcoming trainings.

  The Web site will not only contain information about all of the national and international destination choices, but it will also contain:
- The application and reference forms, which girls can download
- Tips for writing the application essays
- Tips for choosing their personal references
(Application materials are also available at the STC website, www.girlscoutsofstc.org)

  First things First
• Look over the list of events and make your choice!!. See what life is really like for an M.D. or camp in the green depths of the Costa Rican rainforest.
• You can travel around the corner or around the globe.
• Check the site often—destinations are constantly being added!
• Don't be intimidated by price. Many of the events are at prices lower than what the public would be charged, and STC pays for half of the transportation and event fee!

  Click Pick and Go
• Click through the events. Pick your top four choices. Go on a destination. Travel has never been easier.

  Between the Pick and Go
• Download the application form and complete it.
• Print out two copies of the reference form and ask two people who know how truly awesome you are to fill them out.
• Send your application to STC, PO Box 190, West Burlington, IA 52655. Make sure you meet the November deadline date.
• If you have questions about anything, give your local Girl Scout council a call.
• You'll know whether you've been accepted to go on your destination between January and April.

  A destination Match
There are six categories of destinations. Which one is right for you?
• International—events outside of the U.S.
• Getaways—Two- to four-day events all over the country, that don't require the STUDIO 2B destinations application.
• Outdoors—events ranging from learning outdoor skills to Outward Bound challenges on land or sea.
• Science—events that take science to a new level. Learn animal behavior or what a doctor's life is like.
• People—events that visit cities and countrysides so you can experience the culture of new places.
• Apprenticeships—events that give you hands-on, real-life experience in a potential career field.

  Questions? Contact Tammy Allison, tallison@girlscoutsofstc.org, (319)752-3639, ext. 16.