Hinesburg troop sees huge benefits from exploring places like Washington, D.C.
Whether it’s a day trip to a park or beach or the fulfillment of a dream to take a trip abroad, travel can be exciting, relaxing, educational, and just plain fun. What kid didn’t get excited at the prospect of a school field trip? Girl Scouts of all ages are encouraged to explore the world, learning valuable life skills and gaining appreciation for all the ways people live.
While children can travel with their family, school, sports team, or places of worship, Girl Scout travel promises them the chance to plan and lead their own trips, and travel in an all-girl environment where they can feel safe in taking risks and become confident in building new skills. Some travel as a troop, others as individual Girl Scout members, but all with the guidance and support of a Girl Scout council.
Hinesburg Troop 30463 loves to travel, and troop leader Kelly Monahan said they visited Washington, D.C., in March.
“My daughter Izzy learned directions and navigated the city and subway,” she said. “She learned how to talk to other people in the places we visited. She learned how to be in a crowd of other people she does not know, how to be respectful of other people visiting the same locations we were, to be polite and respectful, and how to move about in a big city compared to small Hinesburg where we live.”
In the past year, Girl Scouts have traveled as far as London, Paris, Switzerland, and Florence, Italy, as well as to destinations closer to home like Boston; Washington, D.C.; New York City; and Savannah, Georgia. Many Girl Scout troops have enjoyed field trips to places like the Boston Museum of Science, Great Wolf Lodge in Massachusetts, or Rocking Horse Ranch in New York.
Lily Gordon of Hinesburg said traveling with a Girl Scout group to London and Paris was inspiring.
“Prior to the trip, I was nervous about meeting and traveling with strangers. However, once on the trip I was amazed at how nice everyone was and how quickly I was able to make friends.,” she said. “My Destination trip to London and Paris has inspired me to work hard for my goals and to take chances. It has also opened up a whole new world of travel and friendship.”
Paula Murphy-Kelly is the coordinator for programs and travel for Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, the council serving New Hampshire and Vermont. She is enthusiastic about travel’s benefits.
“Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains encourages girls to be adventurous, step outside of their comfort zone, and explore the world by offering them opportunities to travel through our council sponsored trips along with Destinations through GSUSA,” she said. “They embark on journeys to broaden their views of the world through their exploration of new experiences and cultures. We strive to bring cross-cultural learning opportunities to help boost girls’ awareness of the world while they make new friends along the way.”
Girl Scouts encourages the development of travel skills with its travel progression plan. Daisies and Brownies in grades K-5 start with local field trips and day trips, often funding their trips through the Girl Scout Cookie program. Brownies and Juniors in grades 2-5 are encouraged to try their first overnight trip at a council event, camp or nearby attraction. Juniors and Cadettes in grades 4-8 learn planning and budgeting skills by going on a short trip of two or three nights, while Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors in grades 6-12 can travel the country with extended trips of four or more nights.
Once they have become competent with these experiences, older Girl Scouts in grades 9-12 can travel the world in groups or as individuals through troops and Girl Scouts of the USA’s Destinations program, where they stretch their wings with the guidance of experienced staff. These life-changing trips usually take two or three years to plan and save for, often by committing to a full season of Girl Scout Cookie sales. The preparation teaches budgeting and other financial skills, planning and organization, while the trip itself gives them the opportunity to become more independent and confident, gaining an appreciation for different cultures and ways of living, while making new friends and overcoming challenges.
To join, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscouts.org. Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains serves girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont through volunteer-run troops, events, and virtual programs. Visit girlscoutsgwm.org to learn more.