Girl Scout Rylee Westerlund, Pfafftown, a member of Girl Scout Senior Troop 1929, traveled to Huntsville, Alabama this summer as part of the Advanced Space Academy Destinations trip.
Westerlund, who had attended the regular Space Academy a few year ago, chose to go on this trip because she wanted to continue learning more about the space program.
“On a typical day, we worked together in groups to perform training mission exercises,” said Westerlund. “My favorite experience was when we got to scuba dive- I never thought I would get to do that.”
Every year, Girl Scouts in grades 6-12 can apply to attend a Girl Scout Destinations trip. Sponsored by Girl Scouts of the USA, Destinations allow girls to pick from a variety of travel locations, immersing themselves in a new environment, developing leadership skills and confidence all while taking action outside of their normal communities.
“I would recommend a Destinations trips to other girls because you get to have experiences you wouldn’t have anywhere else,” Westerlund said. “The program also helped me work on my leadership skills and gave me the opportunity to meet girls from around the world.”
Westerlund is the daughter of Lincoln and Phyllis Westerlund and a student at Ronald W. Reagan High School, where she is active in several clubs and participates on the sled hockey team. She is also a Girl Scout Silver Award recipient, one of Girl Scouting’s highest awards, and is working toward her Girl Scout Gold Award.
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