This Destination is full and no longer accepting applications.

Sisterhood at Sangam—India's Festival of Holi: March 20–28, 2024

Fully immerse yourself in the life, culture, and customs of India during Holi, the festival of color.  Travel with Girl Scouts of Japan and USA Girl Scouts Overseas!

About the Trip  

With our home base at the Sangam WAGGGS World Center in Pune, India, you’ll celebrate the Indian festival of color, Holi, like a local – through traditional customs as well as modern dance, fashion, and food. You also will discover the colorful city of Pune through visits to its diverse historical and cultural sights.  

Join a group of Girl Scouts from around the United States, USA Girl Scouts Overseas, and Girl Scouts of Japan for a unique opportunity to learn about each other and the special part of the world we are visiting. Together, we will explore the intersection of our cultures and the culture of India. Through culture immersion, reflection, and new relationships, you’ll leave Sangam with a new lens through which to view the world and a new commitment to creating a world that is more just and accepting of everyone. 

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

• This Destination takes place in March, which is spring break for U.S. overseas schools and Girl Scouts of Japan. Participants may need to miss an additional day of school before and/or after the trip for travel days or more days depending on when their spring break takes place. A formal letter will be provided to request excused school absences for this leadership program.
• Due to the time it will take to arrange passports, visas, and travel ahead of a March departure, applications for this Destination are due October 1, 2023. 
• Because this Destination has generous funding support for limited spaces, we expect many applications. Be sure that your essay addresses exactly why you would be a great candidate for this experience. 

Who Should Apply?

• Age: Girl Scouts who will be in grades 9–12 in March 2024. 
• Interests: Global cultures and travel.  
• Requirements: You must have a sense of adventure and ability to lean into new, potentially uncomfortable, experiences—you may experience culture shock traveling to India. You should have an interest in self-reflection, an open mind, and be ready to learn about different perspectives, cultures, and customs. 
• Equipment: You will need a passport and a visa to travel to India. Specific guidance, and a packing list, will be provided after acceptance. The CDC also recommends some vaccines for travel to India; you will be required to visit your doctor to discuss which vaccines to get. 
• Ignite Your Passion! This trip is great for Girl Scouts who love to experience and learn more about different cultures and customs!

The Cost

Program fee: $600

The program fee does not include airfare. You will be responsible for the cost of roundtrip airfare from your home to a group meet-up location, and on to Mumbai, India.

The total cost for this Destination is $1,600 per participant, but all accepted participants will receive a $1,000 scholarship thanks to a generous grant through GSUSA. You will be required to write an essay about your experience to help thank the scholarship donors.

A note about travel: there will be two or three meet up locations around the world that Girl Scouts will meet up with USAGSO staff and volunteers to travel together to Mumbai.  Those meet-up locations will be communicated after acceptance.

Deposit due upon acceptance (this deposit is already included in your trip program fee): $300

Cancellation policy: Last day to cancel with refund is December 1, 2023. Final payment due February 1, 2024.

Financial aid may be available. Check with your local council. 

Host and Contact Info

USA Girl Scouts Overseas, www.usagso.org

Abigail Trafford, overseasasia@girlscouts.org