Pattie's Blog

Blog July 2023, Sarah Golding

Travel

What I remember most about my first international travel experience is Chiclets gum. I have a permanent snapshot in my mind of a small boy in Mexico asking me if I want to buy some. I am 7 and he is probably about the same age. I hand him some pesos – thrilled with my newly acquired gum – but I am confused. My brain cannot figure out how I am on vacation, and he is selling gum. My mom must see a certain type of look on my face and pulls me aside while she begins to explain what socioeconomic disparities are. In doing that, it is like a veil is lifted, I can see – I mean REALLY see – for the first time how mansions are contrasted with single room homes that dot the streets. In that moment, I experience learning by doing and it forever shapes and changes me into my adulthood. This is the power of travel.

Every time I travel, I gather snapshots like this. Whether it be the feeling of connection when I attend a concert in London, the joy of experiencing a beloved piece of art hanging in the Louvre in Paris, the understanding I gain while chatting at current events with some locals in Oslo, the pride of navigating my first solo international flight or the magic of hiking around Thingvellir National Park in Iceland – a place I had only experienced before on a screen when it was featured in television shows. Each of these moments builds upon each other creating depth and texture to understanding the human experience as we know it.

Who am I? I am Sarah Golding, the International Travel Coordinator for GSCWM. Travel, both domestic and international, has been a part of who I am for most of my life. I began my working relationship with GSCWM in 2021 when I became a chaperone for the Iceland trip. What an amazing adventure! Exploring with our Girl Scout travelers was a privilege and an honor. Watching them form connections, fearlessly ask questions, try new foods, and awaken their sense of empowerment was inspiring. Therefore, last year when I was asked to take over the program I was thrilled to accept!

Why youth travel? Travel can help shape who we are. Youth can gain a tremendous amount of personal and global insight by spending time abroad. Youth who travel show increased self-confidence, a desire to explore, a greater sense of cultural humility, and are better able to adapt to the unexpected. GSCWM is actively working to build out a travel program that is guided by youth voice and creating opportunities for our Girl Scouts to spend time in the world so that they can create the positive changes they want to see both locally and globally.

Why travel with GSCWM? Our GSCWM travel program strives to bring youth driven, inclusive and strength-based travel programing for our members. Our trips are focused on helping our travelers grow in a way that represents the values of Girl Scouts. We embody helping our travelers develop courage, confidence, and character to make the world a better place. Our trips emphasize education, being good global citizens, and creating an atmosphere in which youth feel supported and safe in taking good risks – like learning a flamenco dance in Spain, zip lining through a jungle canopy in Costa Rica or trying their hand at using a language that is new to them. We also have a good bit of fun as well!

Where to next? A few months back we launched a survey asking our GSCWM community where they wanted to travel. We incorporated that feedback into our planning process and are pleased to announce that we have some exciting destinations in the queue for 2024, 2025, 2026 and beyond.

As I write, I am literally packing for 9 days in Panama with 15 Girl Scouts ranging in age from 13 to 18. I am beyond excited!! We are currently in our final call for Europe 2024 – a four city tour – spanning London, Paris, Barcelona and Rome. In 2025, we are thrilled to offer the experience of a lifetime in the lush and biodiverse country of Costa Rica. Additionally, we will offer a 2025 April vacation trip to Puerto Rico, with no passport required!! In 2026 we look forward to not one, but TWO international trips, one to Japan and another to the stunning coastal cities of Greece. Our 2027 experience is still in works, but I will give a hint that an Eastern European adventure culminating in a visit to one of our WAGGGS World Centres may be on the horizon.

Want to talk more about travel or learn about opportunities? Please send me an email at sgolding77@gmail.com. We also have two info sessions coming up on July 27 – right after I get back from our wonderful GSCWM Panama 2023 trip!! You can register for the Europe 2024 info session here: https://bit.ly/3pqzxkR or the Costa Rica 2025 info session here: https://bit.ly/46liyRP

Sarah Golding is a Transitional Age Youth Human Service Coordinator at the Department of Mental Health in Wakefield. Sarah is first aid and psychological first aid certified and a member of the DMH Northeast Area Emergency Response Team. She is acting secretary for Northern New England American Society for Public Administration. Sarah grew up in the western part of Massachusetts and makes eastern Mass her home with her long-term partner, cats and a very strong willed turtle.

Sincerely,
Pattie Hallberg,
CEO Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts

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