Destinations

Where's the event booklet?

Destinations 2008 is totally online. All destinations events will be posted on the STUDIO 2B website within the ESCAPE section. Forms can be filled out online and printed; downloaded to disk to work on another computer or printed and filled out by hand or typewriter. The website will not only contain information about all National and International destination choices, but will also include travel information, including:

• Application and reference forms (  PDF 51KB) or (  Word 288KB)
• Tips for writing application essays
• Tips for choosing a personal reference

Categories of destinations

There are six categories of destinations. Which one is right for you?

• International—events outside of the U.S.
• 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 country sides so you can experience the culture of new places.
• Apprenticeships—events that give you hands-on, real-life experience in a potential career field.
• Getaways—Two- to four-day events all over the country, that don't require the 2006 STUDIO 2B destinations application.

Application Process

There is one major change to the 2008 Girl Scout destinations application process – and that pertains to the girl application. While more detailed information regarding these changes is contained within the packet, a brief outline of the changes (and some needed reminders) follow:

•  Each girl will continue to complete one application per event. A girl can submit only up to FOUR (4) applications as she chooses. She may continue to attend as many destination events as she chooses. However, it is recommended that she only get council funding for one event. A girl can only get GSUSA funding for one event.
  
• Two references must accompany each application (unless otherwise noted on the event description page on the Web site). A girl can use the same letters of reference for each event, if she chooses.
  
• Upon acceptance to an event, each girl must submit a non-refundable deposit to the sponsoring council or organization which will confirm her acceptance and place in the event.
  
• Each application should include three stamped postcards– in order to confirm receipt of the application by the event sponsor.
  
• Once applications are received at the council office, the council MUST SIGN THE GIRLS’ APPLICATION VERIFYING THE APPLICANTS’ GIRL SCOUT MEMBERSHIP and ALL CONTACT INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATIONS’ FRONT PAGE.
  
• Girls and the council are to keep a complete copy of the applications.

In an effort to better mirror the college application process, shorten the selection timeframe, and simplify work for councils and event sponsors, the following changes are being made:

There will be “early” and “late” application times, thereby giving a girl two chances to apply for a destination. There will not be any selection rounds, as in the past. All applications will be mailed to the event sponsors at the same time.

Should a girl miss the council deadline (of November 16, 2007), implying that her application will not arrive to the event sponsor by December 1, 2007, she may apply for “late” acceptance if her application is received by Frontier Council no later than January 18, 2008 and the the event sponsor by February 1, 2008. The application process will be completed and finalized by March 1, 2008. No applications will be accepted or processed after March 1, 2008.

Girls will complete one application for each of the FOUR events they intend to apply for. The application will remain basically the same and there will still be two letters of references required, unless otherwise noted within the event description on the Web site. A girl could use the same references for each event she applies for. There will not be an interview process.

A girl can submit up to FOUR applications. If a girl is accepted to more than one event, and she is financially able to attend more than one event, she may. However, it is recommended that she only receive council funding for one event. A girl may apply to receive funding from GSUSA for only one event.

Because this means that a girl could be accepted to 4 events, but only be able to afford to attend 1, the event sponsors will require an immediate non-refundable deposit of between $50 and $200 to confirm her acceptance and to secure her spot in an event.

There will be deposits due after acceptance no matter if a girl is selected for “early” or “late” acceptance. The deposit will be towards the event fee. The deposit will not be over and above the stated event fee.

WHAT IS AN ALTERNATE?

Each destinations event sponsor or host will select the designated number of participants as well as 3-6 alternates. If an applicant is selected as alternate she has two choices:

1. If selected as an alternate for an event to which she has applied, she can agree to be an alternate. If she agrees, her application is NOT taken out of the selection process. However, she should not agree to be an alternate if it would conflict with another destination she has committed to attend. She may be asked to fill in for a previously selected participant at any time – including days before the start of the event. If she agrees to be an alternate and later decides she will not be able to participate in the event if needed, she must contact the event sponsor as soon as possible.

2. If selected as an alternate, a girl can refuse her acceptance. Once she has refused acceptance as an alternate, she may not re-contact the council and accept at a later date.

References

When the application form and reference forms are completed, they should be hand delivered or mailed to the council where a girl is registered by November 16, 2007. Applicants will still be required to have two (2) letters of recommendation:

• One from a Girl Scout adult who has worked closely with the girl (not a relative). This can be a girl advisor, an event leader, a camp counselor, or council trainer.
  
• One from an adult who works with the girl in the community, such as a teacher, religious instructor, supervisor, or employer (no friends of the family or peer).
  
• Girls should discuss the skills they need and the reasons they are applying with the persons they have asked to write a reference. Girls should inform the reference about the content and requirements of the event. They should provide a stamped, addressed envelope, which can be sealed and returned to the girl to turn in with the application. It must have all references attached before it can leave the home council. It is very important to ensure all paperwork has been completed and turned in to the council on-time.

Travelships

The new destinations process for funding has been streamlined and simplified. Each council sponsoring a destination event will receive funding to subsidize each girl participant and reduce the event fee per girl. With this system, every girl will receive a reduced rate, and no one has to deal with paperwork!

2007-2008 Timeline for National & International Events

**Additional events may be posted on the destination web page at www.studio2b.org throughout the year. Adjustments to individual event timelines will also be posted.

Questions regarding Destinations should be directed to Holly Smith, Older Girl Program Specialist at (702)385-3677, ext. 248.

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