Girl Scouts of Washington Rock Council, Inc.
201 Grove Street East . Westfield, NJ 07090 . 908-232-3236 . westfieldnj.com/girlscouts
2007 – 2008 destinations Application Packet
This packet contains the following:
1. Smart Tips for the destinations Bound Girl
2. destinations Timeline
3. destinations Check Sheet and Commitment Form
4. 1 copy of the destinations application form
You are strongly encouraged to visit the GSWRC website at and download the electronic form so that you can submit a typed application.
5. 1 copy of the destinations reference form
Please make additional copies as needed. The same reference can be used for multiple destinations.
6. Girl/Adult Financial Aid (GAFA) Guidelines and Application
Parents/Guardians please do not apply for a GAFA Grant until after your Girl Scout has been selected to participate in a destination.
Your destinations application, references and the destinations check sheet and commitment form are due to the Council Service Center no later than November 12, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. Original signatures are required.
Please DO NOT fax.
Any questions please contact Melissa Boronkas at 908-232-3236 x 1211 or .
Girl Scouts of Washington Rock Council, Inc.
201 Grove Street East . Westfield, NJ 07090 . 908-232-3236 . westfieldnj.com/girlscouts
Smart Tips for the destinations Bound Girl
Getting Started
Make sure you have reregistered as a Girl Scout for the 2007 – 2008 year.
Choosing Your Events – Which one is right for me?
Search for events at and decide on which trips you want to apply
for.
•You may apply for up to four events, so take advantage of it!
•It is recommended that you apply to at least 2 – 3 events to increase your odds of being chosen.
•Pick your favorite event (national or international) and then choose one or two “safe” events that either have a lot of space available or are located in different parts of the country.
•Events in California and Florida are the most competitive, so consider events in places like the mid-west for your other choices.
•If you are applying to international events, consider also applying for 1 -2 national events.
International Events
•International events are highly competitive and can have as few as ten spaces available. It is strongly recommended to also apply to national events to maximize your chances of participation.
•International events will not be posted on until mid-late October. Please check the site frequently for updates.
getaways
•getaways are not competitive destinations. Applications are sent directly to the sponsoring council/organization.
•getaways do not follow the same application timeline as destinations.
•getaways are perfect for girls who wish to travel with friends.
•Adult Leaders/Advisors must accompany girls on many of these trips.
•getaways are added to throughout the year. If you are interested in attending an event like this, check the website periodically for more opportunities.
•Additional getaways are sponsored by Hostelling International (HI-USA) and can be found on their website at
Application Time - Making yours stand out!
• Use the interactive version of the application that can be found on the GSWRC website (westfieldnj.com/girlscouts) and type your application. If you must write, print neatly and use black ink.
• Type or write one compete application for each event for which you are applying to. You can cut and paste your response to the short answer questions and use the same response on each event application. However, each application must have a separate essay.
• Be very specific in your essays and short answers. Include details about past experiences and skills you have, whichwill make you a successful applicant.
• For each event for which you are applying, your response to short answer questions can not be more than 2 pages and your essays may be no longer than 1 page. It is not mandatory to use all of the space allowed, but take advantage of it. Use your essays to show that you are the best candidate for the destination.
• Ask a parent or your Girl Scout Leader to look over your application. You may also e-mail a rough draft of your essay to Melissa Boronkas at no later than October 22, 2007.
• Electronic signatures will not be accepted, please have your parent or guardian sign your application.
• When submitting your application(s), paperwork for each event must be placed in a separate envelope. (I.e. One envelope containing the application and references for your fist choice and another envelope containing the application and references for your second choice.) Place all envelopes in a larger envelope with one copy of the destinations check sheet and commitment form. Mail to: Melissa Boronkas, Girl Scouts of Washington Rock Council, 201 Grove Street East, Westfield, NJ 07090
• GSWRC will not be able to mail your application to the event sponsor without all of the required forms. Completed applications and accompanying paperwork must be submitted to council no later thanNovember 12, 2007 by 5:00 p.m. Please DO NOT fax.
Application Time – References
•Two references are required. It is recommended to request three or four to ensure that the most positive references are forwarded to the event sponsor.
•You may use the same references for each event for which you are applying.Ask for references that relate to your event or from people who know yourskills and interests. For example, when applying for an Outward Bound event, your Girl Scout Leader can write about your outdoor skills, or a sports coach can write about your athletic abilities.
•When asking for a reference, include event descriptions with the form. Your references may also write a personal letter and attach it to the form.
•When asking for a reference, explain that you are applying for a competitive national/international event. Let the reference know that they may decline providing a reference if they do not feel comfortable scoring you with 4’s and 5’s.
•Reference forms should not be mailed to council ahead of the application. Applicants are to collect completed reference forms andreturn them to councilwith their completed applications. All paperwork must be submitted together by November 12, 2007 by 5:00 p.m. Please DO NOT fax.
I’m In! - Trip Acceptance
•All girls must contact Melissa Boronkas upon notification of a destination acceptance.She can be reached at 908-232-3236 x 1211 or .
•If you are accepted to more than one event, you must contact Melissa Boronkas and the council sponsoring the event to let them know which event you will be attending.
•Once you accept an event, a non-refundable deposit will be due to the event sponsor. Deposits vary by event.
Money, Money, Money – How to finance your trip
Earn It
•What would you do if you wanted to save up for a new wardrobe, a car or an ipod? I’m sure you’ve been in this situation before; locating funding for your destination is the same as saving for all those things on your wish list. Baby-sit, hold a yard sale, sell crafts at a fair, but consult your parents/guardians and your Membership Specialist before you embark on your money raising ventures.
Raising money within Girl Scouting- Money Earning Activities
•Requests for approval to conduct money earning activities must be submitted in writing via the Troop/Group Money Earning Activity Application and approved by the Membership Department.
•The Troop/Group Money Earning Activity Application must be submitted at least five weeks in advance of the planned activity.
•Parents must give written permission for their daughter’s participation in any money earning activity.
•In order to be approved for a Money Earning Activity, girls must participate in the following Council fundraisers: the cookie sale, the nut/QSP sale, and the Family Giving Campaign (formerly Gifts for Girls).
•No money earning activities will be approved to take place during product sale times. The Girl Scout Cookie Sale – December 21, 2007 to February 3, 2008. The Girl Scout Nut/QSP Sale – September 19, 2007 to October 17, 2007.
•Good ideas for Money Raising Activities include: car washes, garage sales, flea markets, recycling, babysitting, plant sales, home made crafts sales, selling refreshments at an event, and providing gift wrapping services.
•Ideas that won’t be accepted for Money Raising Activities include: product demonstration parties, raffles, drawings, games of chance, direct solicitation of cash, and the sale or endorsement of commercial products.
•Money earning activities may not be conducted on the internet.
•An adult must be present at all money earning activities.
•For more information, please see the yellow Troop/Group Money Earning Activity Policy.
Financial Aid - GAFA
•A limited amount of funding is available through GSWRC’s Girl/Adult Financial Aid (GAFA) program.
•You may apply for a GAFA Grant after you have been accepted to a destination by a sponsoring council/organization.
•For more information on GAFA. Please contact Melissa Boronkas at 908-232-3236 x 1211 or
Financial Aid - Outward Bound
•Outward Bound provides financial aid to support girls accepted to their events. For more information please visit:
Girl Scouts of Washington Rock Council, Inc.
201 Grove Street East . Westfield, NJ 07090 . 908-232-3236 . westfieldnj.com/girlscouts
2007 – 2008 destinations Timeline
October 2, 2007 - destinations Orientation is held
(This is where you are right now!) Tonight you will learn all about destinations and the application process from GSWRC staff and past destinations participants.
October 22, 2007 – Last day to receive a GSWRC essay critique(Not Mandatory)
It’s important to have someone look over your essay before you submit it; this can be a family member, your troop leader or a teacher. If you would like Melissa to look over your essay, email a rough draft to by October 22.
November 12, 2007, 5:00 p.m. -All applications are due at the council office!
This includes:
A completed and signed application for each event you wish to attend
(including your short answer questions and event essays).
2 Required references
Any required certificates
Please DO NOT fax.
December 2007 – January 2008 - Sponsoring council’s choose participants
If you are accepted to more than one event, you must contact Melissa Boronkas and the council sponsoring the event to let them know which event you will be attending. Melissa can be reached at 908-232-3236 x 1211 or .
December 2007 – February 2008 – Application status notification
Girls are notified by event sponsors of the status of their application(s).
All girls must contact Melissa Boronkas upon notification of a destination acceptance.
After notification of a destination acceptance you may file paperwork for a GAFA Grant.
December 2007 - February 2008 – Deposits due
Deposits are due to event sponsors to secure your space in the event once you are notified of acceptance.
April 1, 2008 – Grant forms due
GAFA Grantforms are due to the council office.
Summer 2008 – Attend destinations
Girls attend events.Please remember to send a postcard to council while on your destination.
August 2008 - Evaluations
Evaluations are completed by participants and their parents or guardians.
Girl Scouts of Washington Rock Council, Inc.
201 Grove Street East . Westfield, NJ 07090 . 908-232-3236 . westfieldnj.com/girlscouts
destinationsCheck Sheet and Commitment Form
Please read this before completing the application and return this form with your finished application(s).
I understand it is my responsibility to fulfill all the requirements for each of the destinations for which I apply.
Have you (please check):
□Read all the requirements for the destinations you have selected?
□Met all the requirements for each destination?
□Read through GSWRC’s application packet, including Smart Tips for the destinationsBound Girl and the destinations Timeline?
□Completed the application correctly by typing or using black ink?
□Checked your application for neatness, spelling and grammatical errors?
□Included your references.
□Placed each event application and corresponding reference together in an envelope separate from your other applications?
□Photocopied each event application and reference form for your own records.
□Included certificates attesting to specific skills, if required by your destination.
□Met the deadlines for the application (11/12/07 by 5 p.m.) and returned this sheet with your forms.
Commitment Statement
I understand that being chosen for a destination is an honor and represents a financial commitment on my part. By applying for a destination I commit to financing and attending my chosen destination, mailing a postcard to council from my destination location, sharing my experience through programs sponsored by the council, service unit or community once I return, and returning my destination evaluation form to GSWRC in a timely manner.
______
Applicant’s SignatureDate
I have read and understand the above and will help my daughter to carry out her commitment.
______
Parent/Guardian SignatureDate