(Vanity) Anyone heard/participated in the People to People Sports Ambassador Program??

http://www.sportsambassadors.org ^

[sl-17b]

Lurked for about a year and only recently started posting. First article I have posted so hopefully I get it right.

I am an 18 year active duty Army soldier. Participated in the first Desert Shield/Storm, but am sitting in a staff job now so won't be playing this time around.

My daughter just got invited to participate as a swimmer in the People to People Sports Ambassador Program this summer. We get to choose between a meet in the Netherlands and France or a meet in New Zealand and Australia. Of course we chose the Australia and New Zealand meet.

My questions for the group are:

Anyone participated themselves or as parents? Which sport? How did it go? Were they well organized? How did you pay? Any issues with traveling/staying with your kids? What else did you do while the kids were training? Did any of your send your kids by themselves?

I could go on for quite a while with questions, but you get the picture of what I am asking.

I have no problem going off to different countries by myself when I am told by Uncle Sam. In the current environment, there is no way I am sending my daughter by herself, so her brother and I are going as well.

Any other comments/suggestions are really appreciated.

Thanks ahead of time for any help.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I don't know about the program, but if you want to get a read on the current climate towards Americans in NZ you could ping Freeper shaggyeel. You could also check in with Byron the Aussie (although he may currently be in the states).

Welcome to FR!

[Queen of Excelsior]

My daughter was sent two of these in the last few years to play soccer. We figure since she's just an average player, they must have bought a mailing list from someplace connected to our local soccer club. They make it sound like your child is being given a special opportunity when it's really just a marketing tool. So go into it knowing that this isn't some exclusive invitation and have a good time.

[Bahbah]

Welcome to FR. Thank you for your service. Good on your daughter, too. You might try shaggyeel for NZ info.

[Corin Stormhands]

Our son has been on the list for People to People for about four years. This year was the first he was included in the Sports Ambassador mailing. It was NOT because of his athletic ability (he's not bad, but he's no star).

We went to an initial meeting. I think the trips are legit and safe. But, not to imply anything regarding your child, it's really less of an honor and more of a "let's get as many kids to pay as we can," kinda thing.

[OldFriend]

Check on google to see what information you can find.

Also, while I don't know ANYTHING at all about this program, I do know that the costs to participate in these programs is quite high. It seems for the most part to be a fundraiser for those running the programs.

[Gwaihir]

The PtP program is legit. I went after my junior year in high school. The program I participated in was not specifically oriented towards athletics. It placed me with families in several different countries. I gained lots of insights (and memories) that you just can't get in school or a book. The most important thing I learned is how special the United States is. Even when compared to other democracies. That lesson became abundantly clear to me then. I can still remember how good the plane ride home was.

[sl-17b]

Wow, talk about quick on the draw.
I really wasn't expecting any responses that fast.

I'll hit up the people mentioned in a few minutes.

I know my daughter is a good swimmer, but I also know she's no Olympic contender. It will be about $4000 for her to participate plus another $8-10K for her brother and I to go. That's a healthy chunk of change for anyone. Then again, I have lost more than that in the damn market, but that's a whole other issue. This would probably be the only time we participate, and I would like to do something she could remember fondly for the rest of her life.

I just want to go into this with my eyes open.

[Illbay]

The post is okay, but it is in the wrong place. Things like this--typically called "Vanity posts"--should be in the "General" forum, since it is neither news nor "activism."

[noexcuses]

My son is going on a P2P trip (academic, not sport) this summer to Europe. Several of his friends went last summer to Australia and New Zealand and their parents were very impressd with the organization, security, safety and quality of the trip.

We have attended two orientation meetings for my son's trip so far, and both have been very organized. I am very impressed with this program from what I've seen to date.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

That is a major chunk. You could pay for a year of college with that.

I'm jaded, but personally, I think I'd pass, take the family on a long, leisurely trip they'd enjoy. Ultimately, your daughter will probably appreciate it more.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

And there, it would die, and he wouldn't get the advice he'd get from the main forum. How often do you check general interest? If you're like me, practically never.

[Servant of the Nine]

This is not some kind of Olympic tryout.
My Father and Mother competed in the People to People Golf Tours for a number of years.
It is not about ability, but about meeting people with a sport in common in other countries.

My parents enjoyed it very much and found it to be a high quality arangement. They have traveled extensively, and would not have repeated the experience if it had not come up to their standards.

So9

[sl-17b]

Thanks.
Actually thought I had put this into the General Interest portion.
Jim can move this if he would like.
I was just hoping to get some responses from those of us who are off today either from the holiday or snow if you are up north.
I know this could be a year of college tuition, but I was also hoping she could use this as an edge on getting into college.
Heck, I'll do whatever I have to in order to put both of them through a good college that isn't a brainwashing institution.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Add Evolution and War on Drugs to the Keywords, and get it sent to the Smokey Backroom.... :-)

[Illbay]

You forgot "Calvinism."

[Byron_the_Aussie]

Hello SL,

well obviously I'm biased but I think you and the family would have a wonderful trip Downunder. For starters, there are NO security issues. Your main pluses to consider are the extra value of the US dollar here, the fact that Aussies like Americans, and of course that we are crazy about sport, especially swimming. So I'd say, give it a go. You'll garner a wealth of happy memories on such a trip. If you need any further details or specifics please don't hesitate to contact me, and if you get to Sydney please let me be your host for the day, as other Freepers have done. All the best, By.