One of the great opportunities that Girl Scouting offers to both girls and adults is the chance to travel. Travel helps us broaden our horizons, gives us a new awareness of others and helps us appreciate new cultures.
     The ultimate destination would be to visit one of the World Centers in Mexico, India, England, or Switzerland. There are girls and adults in our Council who have actually been to all four. Right now you can see an exhibit in the library that features the World Centers.
Girls can also apply for the STUDIO 2B destinations program that features a myriad of possibilities for travel in the USA and in foreign lands. This is similar to the old Wider Opportunities.
     Sometimes girls are selected to represent our Council at various conferences throughout Texas and other states. Usually these conferences have themes based on leadership, but the possibilities of making lifelong friends and developing other skills make these interesting events for the participants.
     Frequently troops budget their cookie money for travel. Savannah, the birthplace of Girl Scouts, is always popular. Other trips have involved cruises (lots of cookies), travel to Disney World or camping in the Rockies. All are great adventures as well as educational.
Adults are regularly sent to the Edith Macy Conference Center in New York, or to Volunteer Conferences, or even to the Governor’s Volunteer Conference. Virtually in all of these cases the participants come back inspired and ready to tackle new challenges.
     In the fall, girls and adults from our Council will be going to Atlanta, Georgia for the National Convention. There they will meet Girl Scouts from all fifty states and Puerto Rico as well as representatives from troops abroad. It is inspiring to be part of such a large group and to realize that you all share the belief in Girl Scouting. In addition to the 33 official delegates, official visitors are also welcome to attend. Visitors pay their own way but except for not participating in the discussion and voting they will enjoy all of the privileges of the National Council Meeting.
     Wonderful opportunities are available. Take advantage of them. Have your girls plan or budget for an experience of a lifetime. If you are an adult look for an opportunity to learn new things or just give yourself a treat. Everyone can benefit from travel.