People to People?

[Rock'n Robin]

I remember some discussion of this last year but I didn't pay attention--silly me--DD#2 (5th grade)has received one of these letters about going to the UK/Ireland next summer. She convinced DH to take her to the informational meeting. Now we are vulnerable to her right now since she is having a rough year so far, but I know this costs a LOT and I have prepared DH for this. Does anyone know what the cost is (of course none of the letters tell you) and if it is really an honor or just a moneymaker for this company?
I don't want to worry about hitting up businesses and relatives for fundraising--we have a vacation fund but we are taking our 20th anniversary WDW trip next summer. Most businesses around her are not very receptive--esp. right now when kids are selling everything under the sun. Plus, I think she's a little young to spend 2 weeks overseas.
Any input on this group would be appreciated.
Robin M.

 

[spacemountain]

I went to Brazil last summer with People to People and it was amazing! The cost was around $4,000 but I fundraised and was able to pay for a lot of it that way. It costs so much because everything is included. It is a great organization and I hope to go on another trip again with them. I have a lot more I can tell you if you're interested- just PM me.

 

[Buckalew11]

My dd has received several of these (Australia, DC, England) We'd love to send her but it is several thousand dollars and like you, I think an 11yo is young to be gone that far for that long.
I don't think it is the honor that it seems but I do think it somewhat of one. I think a lot of kids get invited and the DC trip for next Spring, DD was chosen by her teacher so that was a bit more of an honor. I think they're on the up and up but if she doesn't go this trip, she'll get more invites--I can almost promise you that.
Good luck.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

DD just started high school. She was invited this past summer to go to Australia. Unfortunately we weren't able to send her. We did go to the informational sessions and met with the people. I had a good feeling about them and they seemed to know their stuff. DD just received a letter for next summer to go to France, Austria and some place else.

 

[magicfan]

My DD got the invitation in the mail, as well, and I would love to know what kind of fundraising you did, how you went about it, etc... I'd love for my daughter to go but the price is pretty steep. Can you share that? Thanks

 

[TigerCheer2009]

My friend is going to Ireland this summer, and her brother went to Australia. I can get you info if you'd like.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I think it sounds good for kids who are a little older, but do a lot of 11 year olds go? Space Mountain, what kind of fundraising did you pull do?
Robin M.

 

[TigerCheer2009]

The girl's brother was a third grader (10) if that helps. His dad went, though.

 

[spacemountain]

My DD got the invitation in the mail, as well, and I would love to know what kind of fundraising you did, how you went about it, etc... I'd love for my daughter to go but the price is pretty steep. Can you share that? Thanks

I set up a raffle by asking businesses to donate items or gift certificates. They were very generous. Then I sold tickets for $2 each and got $1000 that way. I also did a candlelight bowl and got more money from that.

 

[spacemountain]

I got the letters when I was younger but my parents made me wait until I was older. (I was also nominated by a teacher). They teach a lot of indepence and responsibility on the trip and there were a lot of times where we were on our own.

 

[SDFgirl]

Don't know anything about P to P, but here is my two cents:

If you think you'll only be able to afford one overseas trip for your daughter, wait until she's older. My parents told my brother and I that we could each take one "big" trip on their dime. I went to Ireland when I was 15 with a school group, and sadly, 13 years later I barely remember it. My brother went overseas at 19 and was able to appreciate it much more. I wish I had waited too.

 

[powellrj]

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=896602&highlight=people

This was on the budget board a few weeks ago. Ds has been invited the last several years, but thats more money than we can afford to spend on a trip for just him.

 

[Lisa F]

I agree that 11 is way too young to send your child to a foreign country without a parent (or very close family friend/relative) for supervision. Just think about what might happen if she got separated from the group accidentally. Is she savvy enough to find help? It just seems like a recipe for disaster to me to take kids that young without a VERY high adult to student ratio and a very very tight leash on the kids and a very high level of trust for those adults.

I went to England when I was 16... my parents gave me the choice between that and a sweet 16 party and I chose the trip. I remember having a good time but remember nothing about the trip really.... on the other hand in college and grad school I spent two summers abroad (one in France, one in Italy) and they were the most phenominal summers of my life. I remember them like they were just yesterday. The cost was REALLY reasonable too for both of them. I highly advise you to wait until she is older and more mature. I just cannot imagine it being a good idea for even the most mature 11 year old (without a parent).

 

[magicfan]

I set up a raffle by asking businesses to donate items or gift certificates. They were very generous. Then I sold tickets for $2 each and got $1000 that way. I also did a candlelight bowl and got more money from that.

Thanks. Where/how did you sell the tickets? What is a candlelight bowl?
Just wondering...

 

[spacemountain]

Thanks. Where/how did you sell the tickets? What is a candlelight bowl?
Just wondering...

I went to a small Catholic grade school from K-8 and my brother goes there now. I know most of the families there so I sent ticket order forms to all of them through the school and they were really great with helping. I also sold to neighbors, family, friends, etc.

As for the candlelight bowl, I charged money to get in and it's bowling with fun twists (like throwing the ball between your legs, throwing it with your eyes closed, or whatever else you can think of) I don't know if you've ever heard of cosmic bowling but that's where the "candlelight" part comes in. It's basically dark with all kinds of black lights, colored lights and lasers, smoke, etc.

 

[tekmom]

Hi! My son (13) also received this People to People letter. Last year he received the Austrailia one and this past week, he got the one for England, Ireland and Wales. I believe it is about $6,000. We told him we will consider it next time (if he gets another letter). I would let him go if he's about 15. It is a "straight up" organization.

 

[SandraM]

I remember some discussion of this last year but I didn't pay attention--silly me--DD#2 (5th grade)has received one of these letters about going to the UK/Ireland next summer. She convinced DH to take her to the informational meeting. Now we are vulnerable to her right now since she is having a rough year so far, but I know this costs a LOT and I have prepared DH for this. Does anyone know what the cost is (of course none of the letters tell you) and if it is really an honor or just a moneymaker for this company?
I don't want to worry about hitting up businesses and relatives for fundraising--we have a vacation fund but we are taking our 20th anniversary WDW trip next summer. Most businesses around her are not very receptive--esp. right now when kids are selling everything under the sun. Plus, I think she's a little young to spend 2 weeks overseas.
Any input on this group would be appreciated.
Robin M.

Quite honestly, I think she's probably a bit young to have that amount of money spent on a trip so far from home. If you want to send her on a great vacation I'm sure there are plenty of places she could go to, that are not too far away, which would be a fraction of the cost.

And not trying to put people off Ireland, there is so much that is lovely, but the exchange rate is pretty rough for Americans coming to Ireland at the moment.

Should you choose to send her, I'm sure she will have a wonderful time. She should expect a high standard of accommodation and nothing less than very good food. Should there be any problems, like getting separated from her group etc., at least there are no language barriers, and she would have no problems getting assistance.

If you've any specific questions I might be able to help with, let me know.

 

[froglady]

DD went on a P to P trip when she was 15. In general it was OK, but some of the homestay parents (Germany) used the girls as nannies, DD & another student were left on their own to find her their way home once, and many of participants complained of being hungry. This may all be due to cultural differences, but I wouldn't expect anyone younger to be able to handle it well.

DD got more out of later trips to Spain with her HS teacher, living abroad in college, and then taking the long way home.

 

[DarkSideMoon]

I remember some discussion of this last year but I didn't pay attention--silly me--DD#2 (5th grade)has received one of these letters about going to the UK/Ireland next summer. She convinced DH to take her to the informational meeting. Now we are vulnerable to her right now since she is having a rough year so far, but I know this costs a LOT and I have prepared DH for this. Does anyone know what the cost is (of course none of the letters tell you) and if it is really an honor or just a moneymaker for this company?
I don't want to worry about hitting up businesses and relatives for fundraising--we have a vacation fund but we are taking our 20th anniversary WDW trip next summer. Most businesses around her are not very receptive--esp. right now when kids are selling everything under the sun. Plus, I think she's a little young to spend 2 weeks overseas.
Any input on this group would be appreciated.
Robin M.

anyone know waht the requirements are? i have heard three or for of my friends get letters, and one went. no offense to them, but i am soooooo much smarter and get better grades. not a THING in the mail, i nearly aced our standerdized tests. is there something i am missing here?

 

[Buckalew11]

DSM, I am not sure what the requirements are. I do know that everyone I know who has been invited does make good grades, so it seems to be a pattern. One of my nieces got invited and she isn't a straight A type student but both her sister and brother were invited so...

I know we figured up the DC trip for next Spring and decided we could all 3 go for what they were asking! (DH & I have never been to DC either)

They don't allow parnts to actually go on the trip. I believe most are teachers or retired teachers or people like that but no parent chaperone types.

One of DDs classmates is going to DC next Spring. BUT, her mom doesn't think she is ready so she is planning on going to DC at the same time. I think that is crazy and if I felt like DD wasn't ready to go, I'd wait. She said her DD can't even get out of bed in the mornings w/o her! Let me tell you if DD(11) could drive, she wouldn't need me in the mornings! I'll believe this girl is going when I see it!!! LOL