Sunday, September 27, 2009

Wonderful, Exciting, Adventurous, Expensive...

These are all things that I would use to describe the opportunity that has come up for Nicole.
A few weeks ago we got a letter addressed to the parents of... well, it was an invitation to an'informational meeting' for Nicole to travel with a group of People to People Ambassadors.

Well, never having heard of this group before I did some research online and found out that they are accredited with the BBB, and that it was actually founded in 1956 by President Eisenhower.
It explained that starting the summer between 5th and 6th grade students are invited to travel to destinations as a child ambassador and have some incredibly awesome experiences.

The trip that Nicole was invited to was is called Experiencing Western Canada. We got the confirmation of the meeting that was this past Saturday at a local college. We didn't think it was a hoax, but were still skeptical. As Nicole spent the night with Carson Friday night just Chris and I went.

What we found is that the kids that are allowed to travel is 5th - 12th grade. Starting in 7th grade the kids get High school credits and into 9th and above they can earn college credits. Upon completion of the trip they actually receive a transcript. The groups travel in numbers of 40 with no less than 4 leaders per group. It is a fun trip, but is also very educational. Some of the trips can be to Australia, parts of Europe, Africa, or Japan.

The only thing that we see as even a minor roadblock is the cost. Just to turn in the application is $400 upfront, which goes toward the final cost. We do have her scheduled for her interview on October 17. We were assured if we couldn't turn it in right away , there would be other groups going throughout the summer to the same location, so she wouldn't be denied the chance. She can get a corporate sponsor, and even scholarship funding. We are looking into ALL of these options. They even gave us a website for fundraising. Obviously she isn't the first one to need it.

We have no clue who nominated her, but that is the only way this group accepts the name of a student. She has to have 3 personal recommendations, as well as a questionnaire that she fills out. All of that has to be brought to the interview. We already have the two teachers picked out that we will give the papers too to fill out, and then the one adult that is familiar with her that is not a relative.

Please say a prayer or two that all comes together and that she gets to go. Their trips can last up to 21 days, but the one she is invited to is 12 days, so hopefully we can get it together!

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Also, keep my aunt Donna in your prayers as she is having double knee replacement surgery Monday morning; and my cousin Dale, as he broke his collar bone in a bicycle accident.

We also get the scores of Nicole's testing that she had last week for the gifted/talented program, so please keep your fingers crossed!

8 comments:

Christina - Rant Rave Roll said...

Wow! That is terrific Marcy! Congrats to Nicole! What an amazing opportunity.

Cookie said...

Wow! That is a lot of money! sounds like a lot of things going on right now. Hope everythings turns out for you and your family.

joanne said...

What a fantastic opportunity. Good luck and Congratulations Nicole.

Laura ~Peach~ said...

we used to get those on cory... he was in the gifted program at school... he never went we simply could not afford it. Martha has gotten some from a different place...and well that is not happening. I hope she gets to go i think it would be an experience that she would cherish.

Michelle said...

Wow, what an incredible opportunity. I didn't realize that this was such an extensive program. I have heard of it before, but I don't know anyone who has gone. Good luck to you all -- for all of this news!

Chris H said...

Wow what an awesome opportunity for her! I do hope she can go. It would be a fantastic experience for her.
Best wishes to your relatives who are facing health issues.

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

Both CJ and Connor were nominated several times but never wanted to go. Hope Nicole does and we get to hear all about it!!

Hallie

kanishk said...

That is a lot of money! sounds like a lot of things going on right now. Hope everythings turns out for you and your family.
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