Travel with Jessica

We've been talking to grownup Girl Scouts about their travel experiences lately. Jessica posted a couple weeks ago about why she chose to travel with Girl Scouts as a teen.  This week, we've asked her whether her parents were worried about her being away from home when she went on these trips. We've asked lots of girls this question. The resounding answer: nope- parents were totally cool with sending their Girl Scouts on travel trips. Read more about Jessica's adventure below. 

Hi- Jessica Marks here again. I am a lifetime member of Girl Scouts- starting in first grade as a Brownie, earning my Gold Award as a high school senior, and having served in college as an outreach troop leader and then later on as a trainer. While I enjoyed Brownies, my Girl Scouting experience was forever changed when I switched troops as a junior and was connected with an adventurous group who loved to travel and became my life-long friends.

I'm sure my parents were concerned about me being away from home, especially when I left the country! However, I think my parents realized that Girl Scouts was a space where I could learn how to conduct myself on these experiences. With troop travel, I know they trusted our leader. I'm sure it was much harder for the wider op (Destinations), when they did not know our chaperone, but by the time I went on that, Girl Scouts had been a life-long commitment, and I think their ability to let me go was just as much growth as what I was able to experience by getting to go. (Maybe it helped prepare them for me leaving for college later!) 

My Girl Scout travel experiences were always scaffolded; step outs so that we were not thrown into something we couldn't handle. When I was a Brownie I certainly didn't realize the sleepovers and one night camping trips were preparation for what was to come in Juniors and beyond- but every step was preparation for the next one.   

Help your Girl Scout have travel experiences like Jessica! New trips posted; fly to the GSCTX Travel Page to learn more! 

Why I Stayed in Girl Scouting

Forever changed

Hi. I'm Jessica Marks. I am a lifetime member of Girl Scouts- starting in first grade as a Brownie, earning my Gold Award as a high school senior, and having served in college as an outreach troop leader and then later on as a trainer. While I enjoyed Brownies, my Girl Scouting experience was forever changed when I switched troops as a junior and was connected with an adventurous group who loved to travel and became my life-long friends.

Girl-led
To me, Girl Scout travel was so incredible because it was different from family travel. Whether it was a weekend camping trip, or a weeklong out-of-state ski trip or international wider op, it was a new experience where I had a lot more responsibility for me. My parents weren't there to take care of me or make decisions for me.  

International Camporee

My wider op (now called Destinations) is what really stood out to non-scouts as having been special. Many friends in high school told me they probably wouldn't have quit if they realized international trips were on the line! I was selected to go to Germany and take part in an international camporee of Girl Scouts, Girl Guides, and Boy Scouts. Meeting other scouts from across the USA, becoming a team with them, and then going to an event with thousands of world wide scouts is something I will never forget.

Here’s a photo of me at the Germany international Girl Scout/Girl Guide event.The one by myself is on a rope bridge we lashed at the event, you can see the interesting tents we stayed in in the background.

The group is the USA group with a group of Scottish Girl Guides- I am sitting on the ground in the front row in a yellow/green tank top. 

Did you know you can travel like Jessica? Check out the Council Trips currently planned here!
Want to try a destination? Those are here!

10 Things I Can't Wait to do in Japan

GSCTX is taking a girl-led trip to Tokyo, Japan in 2017. While you still have some time before you need to pack your bags, it's not too early to mark the date on your calendar and reserve your spot on the trip! 




Here are 10 things we CAN'T WAIT to do when we go to Japan: 

-         1 – Try new food! Do you like sushi?

-         2 – Visit the Great Buddha- it's way better in real life than in pictures...

-         3 – Do a service project in a local community- Girl Scouts are all about service!

-         4 – See different cultural and historical museums- there are tons of cool artifacts! 

-         5 – Explore different cities like Tokyo and Hakone- Hako-where?! 

-         6 - Ride a cable car up Mount Komagatake- oh my gosh, for real???

-         7 - Take a guided tour of the Bamboo Forest- there's a whole forest...? 

-         8 -  Visit Odawara Castle- will we see a prince and princess? 

-         9 - Ride the bullet train to Kyoto- what the heck is a bullet train?! 

-         10 - Share your love for Girl Scouts with Japanese Girl Guides- new sisters, yay!

We definitely just convinced you. Email EmilyM@gsctx.org for more info on this trip! 

Destinations deadline approaching!

Destinations applications are due to Emily Magnotta by November 1st! Pass this out to any older girl, Service Unit Director or troop leader you know!

Check out the website here!

For our GSCTX council specific information , read the destinations manual. It will answer all of your questions regarding travel!

Remember these are girl-only trips! We know you’d love to share these experiences with everyone, but these trips are JUST FOR YOU! Sorry, Sparky the Dog will have to stay, too.

LAST DAY FOR Destination applications due to Emily: November 1, 2014 (PDF only! Scan and e-mail to emilym@gsctx.org) If you choose to submit an application after November 1st, you will not be eligible for funding from GSCTX. Please include your name and trip in the subject line. One trip per e-mail when submitting paperwork please!

Application information:

Council name: Girl Scouts of Central Texas

Council contact: Emily Magnotta

Council phone: 979-774-0050

Council address: 909 Southwest Parkway East College Station, TX 77845

Girls that receive funding from GSCTX will be required to speak at 2 destination experience days next fall.

I would be happy to answer any and all questions you have regarding the destinations program!

Ready…
Set…

Travel!

Meet the Team: Program and Travel Specialist, Emily Magnotta

Howdy friends!

My name is Emily Magnotta and I'm the Program and Travel Specialist in Bryan/College Station. I have been with GSCTX since March 2013. Prior to my time as a staff member with GSCTX, I graduated from Texas A&M in 2009 with a BS in Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences specializing in working with at-risk youth and youth with disabilities. I traveled the world for three years all through Girl Scouting before I landed back at GSCTX!

I love to travel, hence my extensive resume in Girl Scouts. I have been in the organization since I was five years old and have done everything from getting my Gold Award, attending 8 destinations, working and directing as camp staff, working as an independent contractor for GSUSA, to finding my nice and comfy home at GSCTX.

My hobbies are sewing, classic Hollywood, spending lots of time with my dog, Money Penny, and running in races. In my spare time outside of GSCTX I am a volunteer firefighter and CPR instructor. I love working with my brothers and sisters within the department to learn about something new each week! Firefighting is super cool!