People to People Leadership Summit - is it a scam?

[Halbleib1]

Your dad tried to go. He wasn't invited as a chaperone. I've gotten multiple letters over the years asking me to nominate students. It also offers me a free trip if enough of my students sign up for the program. And yes, I throw the letter away.

And if you don't sign enough up you pay something. The chaperones on my trip must not have signed enough up because they all talked about paying. For some they had been doing these trips for years as a way to travel overseas. I see nothing wrong with them getting it free though as it is not much different than a school trip that allows chaperones and teachers to travel for free. Yes I realize the money is coming from those that travel just as it does with school trips. Even though it is a trip away for them they are working and deserve some sort of compensation. Not all families are lucky enough to be able to travel overseas or even here at home so it is a great opportunity for some. I was one of those kids as I was the youngest of five and money was tight so we never went on vacation except to visit family. I fundraised a lot by putting on school dances and selling raffle tickets. It was the only way my parents could afford for me to go. At least if it is a teacher you know they have had
the proper checks or they wouldn't be teaching. Not that this catches
everything as there are no guarantees even when sending our kids to school.

For those that wouldn't allow their kids to travel with strangers you get to meet the chaperones before hand to get to know them some. My parents had more contact with them than they did my teachers in school that year. Some of my teachers they never even met.

 

[sk!mom]

I agree that it isn't a scam. You do get a trip for your money. I know two students who have gone in recent years. One had a positive experience and one did not.

My problems with the program are the way it's presented and the fundraising. As has been stated, they present it as an honor that students have earned and been nominated to receive. This simply isn't true.

I dislike like fundraising aspect because I disagree with asking others to fund your vacation.

The one family I know whose son enjoyed the trip already have plans to send their DD's. The cost isn't an issue for them and they felt that their son got his money's worth. They didn't do any fundraising.

 

[tajz90]

They also offer scholarships for travel. It's a very nice group.