People to People Student Ambassador Program

[mjkacmom]

You don't have to be "nominated", anyone can apply even if they weren't nominated.

People to People has been investigated in the past for using mailing lists for their nominations. They sent a "Congratulations, you've been nominated based on your excellent achievements" letter to the name of a child who died in infancy. After that they were supposed to fix their marketing practices. You can google for further info if you like.

I do know kids who went on PTP trips, and they enjoyed them. But I don't like that the company presents it as a big honor when it isn't. I also don't like the whole sponsorship/begging aspect.

I have no doubt that kids have a great time on these trips, but they are not an honor, and are more expensive than if you booked a trip yourself. I'd rather take my kids overseas as a family, and it would be just as educational.

 

[allison443]

Yes, I am aware of that, it says it right in the info pack from PTP. If you read the other thread, I mentioned that

Oh okay, but you said you were so proud your dd was nominated and only one other from her grade...so I was confused because now you say you know anyone can go.

Anyway, I am glad your dd had a great trip. My friend's dd went to a National Leadership Conference (I think it's similar to PTP but a different company) which was also in Washington like your dd and she loved it. I think all these experiences are great but people just need to research everything.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I found my folder with all the papers and stuff from PTP. I found the h.s. transferable credits...

It could be different with each trip location, but the trip to D.C. earns these h.s. credits..

1 elective trimester course equivalent to 55 classroom hrs. for Social Studies, American History/Government

In addition to the h.s. credit, all students receiving a passing evaluation from their facilitators will earn 10 service learning hours for Service learning/volunteerism. (this whole trip and meetings that dd was involved in, she was graded and received a certificate at the end. If you passed the "class", you receive these credits towards h.s.)

While all of that is great for you, it would not fly at my dd's HS. You are required to take their classes period.

My dd transferred into this HS as a senior last yr and although she graduated in one semester (she had her hours fulfilled) she HAD to take the required classes as they are specific to the state of Missouri requirements. (We had moved from TX).

 

[clovergirl5]

Oh okay, but you said you were so proud your dd was nominated and only one other from her grade...so I was confused because now you say you know anyone can go.

Anyway, I am glad your dd had a great trip. My friend's dd went to a National Leadership Conference (I think it's similar to PTP but a different company) which was also in Washington like your dd and she loved it. I think all these experiences are great but people just need to research everything.

I am proud for the fact that her teacher (who is very highly regarded at the m.s. and has gone on these trips herself) suggested dd for the trip. She stated that she has wonderful leadership qualities and would benefit from a program like this. I agree, she benefited and had a great time as did we.

I agree with the bolded part

 

[clovergirl5]

While all of that is great for you, it would not fly at my dd's HS. You are required to take their classes period.

My dd transferred into this HS as a senior last yr and although she graduated in one semester (she had her hours fulfilled) she HAD to take the required classes as they are specific to the state of Missouri requirements. (We had moved from TX).

We didn't do this because of h.s. credits...it was a great benefit of the program she did. I don't know how her h.s. will handle it seeing that we aren't at h.s yet, but whether or not she can skip this class, dd LOVES school and either wouldn't want to skip it or she would take something different in its place. She is not one to sit in study hall lol

 

[NYPDwife]

Thanks for your opinions everyone, but after a little more digging, I found some things that scared me. I might consider it when she's in her senior year in HS, b/c I'm sure she'd be able to think rationally by that point.

It sounded promising, but I've read up on it a little more and I don't think it's a great thing. Maybe we'll find something nation-wide that DD can join and if anything, we'll go as a family.

http://consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/11/people_to_people_intro.html

 

[allison443]

I am proud for the fact that her teacher (who is very highly regarded at the m.s. and has gone on these trips herself) suggested dd for the trip. She stated that she has wonderful leadership qualities and would benefit from a program like this. I agree, she benefited and had a great time as did we.

I agree with the bolded part

Okay I finally get it!!! I am slow today, I'm sorry. You felt honored because your dd's teacher thought very highly of her, not just the PTP thing. Your dd sounds like a great student and it sounds like the trip to Washington was very beneficial for her.
Sorry for the confusion!!

 

[NYPDwife]

IMHO, I do have to say that although I may not believe in P2P, if a CREDIBLE organization came up with this opp for DD, then I don't believe that it's bad to fundraise for it. We fundraise in private soccer clubs for dues, warm-ups, equipment, so I don't see how it differs from fundraising for an educational opportunity (keyword: I DON'T SEE HOW IT DIFFERS).

Just b/c I can't afford it doesn't mean that I can't ask. You can say no, you don't have to give, but I CAN AND WILL ask. I'm not asking for welfare benefits while working f/t at a high-paying job or collecting food stamps and then selling them to go to WDW. I think the people who said if I didn't have the $, DD shouldn't go are mean and that's my opinion (just like it was your opinion).

Done and done.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

We didn't do this because of h.s. credits...it was a great benefit of the program she did. I don't know how her h.s. will handle it seeing that we aren't at h.s yet, but whether or not she can skip this class, dd LOVES school and either wouldn't want to skip it or she would take something different in its place. She is not one to sit in study hall lol

Oh good, because it probably won't mean anything. I am just annoyed that they would print something like that and expect parents to believe it.

 

[MichelleVW]

IMHO, I do have to say that although I may not believe in P2P, if a CREDIBLE organization came up with this opp for DD, then I don't believe that it's bad to fundraise for it. We fundraise in private soccer clubs for dues, warm-ups, equipment, so I don't see how it differs from fundraising for an educational opportunity (keyword: I DON'T SEE HOW IT DIFFERS).

Just b/c I can't afford it doesn't mean that I can't ask. You can say no, you don't have to give, but I CAN AND WILL ask. I'm not asking for welfare benefits while working f/t at a high-paying job or collecting food stamps and then selling them to go to WDW. I think the people who said if I didn't have the $, DD shouldn't go are mean and that's my opinion (just like it was your opinion).

Done and done.

Personally I don't like fund raising for soccer/cheerleading/etc....I would just rather pay what my DD's owe and be done with it.

Honestly you can think we're mean all you want, but if you don't have the money to send your child on a People to People VACATION (and trust me DD has been on two, so I know what they are) your child doesn't need to go.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

IMHO, I do have to say that although I may not believe in P2P, if a CREDIBLE organization came up with this opp for DD, then I don't believe that it's bad to fundraise for it. We fundraise in private soccer clubs for dues, warm-ups, equipment, so I don't see how it differs from fundraising for an educational opportunity (keyword: I DON'T SEE HOW IT DIFFERS).

Just b/c I can't afford it doesn't mean that I can't ask. You can say no, you don't have to give, but I CAN AND WILL ask. I'm not asking for welfare benefits while working f/t at a high-paying job or collecting food stamps and then selling them to go to WDW. I think the people who said if I didn't have the $, DD shouldn't go are mean and that's my opinion (just like it was your opinion).

Done and done.

I hated selling Girl Scout cookies and I hate fundraisers. I won't do them. So that is where my answer comes from.

If you think it is mean so be it. I am a mean mom. Just ask my older dd who wants us to fund a trip to TX to stay with her BF.

 

[clovergirl5]

Okay I finally get it!!! I am slow today, I'm sorry. You felt honored because your dd's teacher thought very highly of her, not just the PTP thing. Your dd sounds like a great student and it sounds like the trip to Washington was very beneficial for her.
Sorry for the confusion!!

No problem, its hard to get acrossed all the info you want to say and of course you can't post every little thing, it would be a book by then

 

[clovergirl5]

Oh good, because it probably won't mean anything. I am just annoyed that they would print something like that and expect parents to believe it.

No, its a great benefit if the school accepts it, but she would be to bored taking study hall, unless she had classes that she needed the extra time to do homework. We will see as h.s. starts next year

Another great thing that came out of her PTP trip, is we went too and it was so much fun! So interesting and educational. I enjoyed it very much as did dh and the kids. They still talk about it now and especially when they see the white house or capital building or monuments on tv. I would HIGHLY recommend anyone to visit D.C. and Virginia. We wouldn't have thought of it as a family vacation otherwise. Doesn't really sound fun but it was one of our favs.

 

[akhenaten]

No, its a great benefit if the school accepts it, but she would be to bored taking study hall, unless she had classes that she needed the extra time to do homework. We will see as h.s. starts next year

Another great thing that came out of her PTP trip, is we went too and it was so much fun! So interesting and educational. I enjoyed it very much as did dh and the kids. They still talk about it now and especially when they see the white house or capital building or monuments on tv. I would HIGHLY recommend anyone to visit D.C. and Virginia. We wouldn't have thought of it as a family vacation otherwise. Doesn't really sound fun but it was one of our favs.

Just curious...since most sites (museums, monuments, capital tour etc )in DC have free admission....how does the trip add up to 7000.00???
I mean I know hotel , food , transportation cost$ but our MS class trips to DC cost nowhere near that much$$$.

I think that these programs and the "Who's Who in americas ....(fill in the blank HS..College)... " are such a farce.....
I know because I was nominated for "WHos who among americas HS students" ...and I was a good student but not good enough for such an "honor" LOL

 

[mjkacmom]

Personally I don't like fund raising for soccer/cheerleading/etc....I would just rather pay what my DD's owe and be done with it.

Honestly you can think we're mean all you want, but if you don't have the money to send your child on a People to People VACATION (and trust me DD has been on two, so I know what they are) your child doesn't need to go.

I agree - ds11 plays travel soccer, basketball, and baseball (going to Cooperstown for a week in June), Dd13's concert choir is going to Hershey in May, and dd8 has an irish dance competition in Orlando in July. We're saving up! We get letters every year from SIL's kids, asking for money for their crew team. We have 5 very active children - I can't afford to support your teams, too.

 

[KAMLEM]

I really hate to see people who have not been involved in the program give their opinions.

Sorry, but just because someone has not directly participated in something does not mean that they don't have a valid opinion. If people could only comment on what they are directly involved in this wouldn't be much of a message board.

Personally I don't like fund raising for soccer/cheerleading/etc....I would just rather pay what my DD's owe and be done with it.

I agree, I HATE fundraising. My DD's each got a book of raffle tickets to sell for their club soccer teams about 2 weeks ago. The timing could not be worse right before Christmas AND the tickets are $10 each! I won't even let them ask their grandparents to buy one. DH and I will buy one from each girl and then the rest of them go back to the club. We pay thousands of dollars in fees each year, I don't understand why they need us to raise even more money.

 

[clovergirl5]

Just curious...since most sites (museums, monuments, capital tour etc )in DC have free admission....how does the trip add up to 7000.00???
I mean I know hotel , food , transportation cost$ but our MS class trips to DC cost nowhere near that much$$$.

I think that these programs and the "Who's Who in americas ....(fill in the blank HS..College)... " are such a farce.....
I know because I was nominated for "WHos who among americas HS students" ...and I was a good student but not good enough for such an "honor" LOL

I think you have me mixed up with someone else, I never said how much we paid and it was no where near $7000. For our dd to go to D.C., Virginia, and Pennsylvania it cost around $2500. That included hotel (which they stay at more of an upperscale hotel), meals, transportation, admissions to wherever there were some (spymuseum, newseum, they also visited some historical sites in Pennsylvania that we didn't so I don't know if there were fees with those), Im sure their polo shirt and their water canteen bottle they received came out of those dues too. This was a weeks long trip by the way too. Some days they traveled 2-3 hrs. away on a chartered bus. That was their transportation all week long.
Like I said, it was a little on the expensive side, but we could handle it and thought dd would benefit from the experience with her peers.

 

[akhenaten]

I think you have me mixed up with someone else, I never said how much we paid and it was no where near $7000. For our dd to go to D.C., Virginia, and Pennsylvania it cost around $2500. That included hotel (which they stay at more of an upperscale hotel), meals, transportation, admissions to wherever there were some (spymuseum, newseum, they also visited some historical sites in Pennsylvania that we didn't so I don't know if there were fees with those), Im sure their polo shirt and their water canteen bottle they received came out of those dues too. This was a weeks long trip by the way too. Some days they traveled 2-3 hrs. away on a chartered bus. That was their transportation all week long.
Like I said, it was a little on the expensive side, but we could handle it and thought dd would benefit from the experience with her peers.

Thanks for the info.. glad it wasn't 7000 LOL

I love DC and am sure your family got lots of good memories/experiences from your trip...

 

[clovergirl5]

I have to agree with everyone about the fundraising. I hate fundraising too and we just always pay extra dues up front to bypass the fundraisers. That is why I would only ask grandparents to pitch in anything they could afford too if anything for dd trip.

I get fundraisers up the yin yang between 4 kids in school and sports. Its turning rediculous, but I understand the reason for them. We have pretty much stopped participating. Poor dh is the only one working and he has to bring them to work which seems like every other week. We just stopped. We don't have family close so that was not an option either.

I think its plain rude these days to show up with fundraisers asking people for $ they don't have in this economy.

 

[NYPDwife]

I'm not a fan of fundraising either. I don't like asking strangers for money, HOWEVER, if it's for my kids and it benefits their teams or schools, I will do it. I pay 2K a year for her to be in a soccer club, but we still needed to fundraise for warm-ups and we have a tournament in DC coming up that we have to do ANOTHER fundraiser for. Sometimes you don't have all the money to do everything, but I want my kids to experience as much as possible. All the "well, I hate this" and "I'm not doing that", it's so negative and it passes down to your kids. I think of it as an investment in their future and they work hard to help out. You guys take it so personally like if I'm asking you for money.