Ideas from our Leaders
Wider Opportunities, or Wider Ops, are merely
excursions that take place outside the regular meeting place and time. They can
be as simple as a trip to the park or as elaborate as a visit to the Juliette
Low Birthplace or one of the Girl Scout World Centres.
These are known as Troop Wider Opportunities.
Wider Ops with Nationwide Participation - events run by sponsoring Girl Scout councils
that are open to a specified number of participants from across the country and
sometimes from around the world.
"Wider Ops" Publication – lists events
available and is generally available in August as well as published online on
the GSUSA Just for
Girls Wider Op page.
Events:
o
cover
widespread topics from science and engineering to history and the arts
o
can include
outdoor skills such as canoeing, biking, or backpacking. Skiing and other snow
sports are offering during the winter.
o
leadership seminars at
the Girl Scout training facility in
o
No
matter what the topic, meeting Girl Scouts from across the country is always a
Accommodations can range from
o
local
Girl Scout camps
o
dormitories
at local universitites
o
home hospitality
where the girls stay with a host family for a portion of their stay.
International Wider Opportunities:
o
usually
at one of the four World Centres (Pax
Lodge in London, Our Chalet in Switzerland, Our Cabana in Mexico, or Sangam in India)
o
Girls
must be at least 14 years old to participate and a special application must be
filled out
Steps
o
Participants
submit a written application to their own Council for the event they wish to
participate in.
o
Girl
Scouts are then interviewed by local staff or volunteers.
o
Their
application and Council recommendation are then forwarded to the council that
is sponsoring the event.
o
Applications
are again reviewed and selections are made.
Before
filling out applications for a Wider Op, Girl Scouts can review the hints listed on the GSUSA site.
o
There
is an online application form to fill out and then print.
o
Essay
portion of the application - list interests or skills that are related to the
topic of the event.
o
For
example, if your event is going to
o
Make
yourself unique in some way and make sure you identify a reason other than it
"being fun" for you to apply for the particular event.
o
For
example, if you come from a family of engineers, mention that for an event that
deals with science and engineering. If you belong to an environmental club at
school, mention that for an ecology event.
o
At
least one of your references should be from someone who knows about you in
relation to the event topic.
o
For
example, a reference from your Girl Scout leader would be appropriate for a
camping event, a history teacher would be appropriate for an event studying the
history of a certain area, and a coach would be an approrpiate
reference for a sporting event.
o
Provide
one reference who knows you well enough to detail that you are capable of
living away from home. If you have gone on an extended trip in the past, an
adult supervisor for that trip would be an excellent choice as a reference.
o
Ask
references if they would be willing to write a short paragraph detailing your
strengths in specified areas. If the reference form is merely presented to a
person many times they will just fill out the form and not write anything. A
written paragraph is a much more positive presentation.
o
Arrive
at the interview on time
o
Wear
your full uniform to the interview. Most
Wider Ops ask that you travel in uniform so you will need to have one anyway if
you are chosen. Make sure that your uniform is worn correctly and that all
insignia is placed properly.
o
Think
about your answers before you speak. Take a moment to form your answer in your
head. Your answer will be clearer and you will make a better impression. Try to eliminate unwanted "uh's."
o
Do
preliminary research about the event topic or the event location.
o
Know
the learning objective for the Wider Op and then relate your interests,
strengths, etc. to that objective.
o
Relate
a possible career interest, favorite hobby or actual topic experience when asked to relate why you chose a
certain event.
o
Relax!
The interviewers are not there to scare or intimidate you. They are only trying
to determine your readiness for your chosen Wider Op.
o
Practice
interviewing with your troop, your leader, your family or other adults and then
have them critique you.