Give a girl a passport and open up her world. That’s the philosophy of travel blogger Tracey Friley (www.OneBrownGirl.com) who runs OBG Adventure Camps, a travel and learning adventure excursions organization for girls.
Earlier this summer, Tracey hosted the first Passport Party where she gave eight girls passports. Within the next 12 to 18 months, she is on a mission to empower at least 100 girls, between the age of 11 and 16 years old, with passports by launching the Passport Party Project. She hopes to host Passport Parties in 10 cities nationwide.
According to a CNN report, only 30 percent of Americans have passports while 60 percent of Canadians have them and 75 percent of United Kingdom citizens do.
Tracey understands the importance of global travel which is why she founded and runs OBG Adventure Camps. Girls between the ages of 11 and 16 participate in day trip adventures and an overnight getaway and although they don’t leave the territories of the United States (she’s led trips to the U.S. Virgin Islands in which a passport is not required), she requires participants to have a passport.
I met Tracey during Travel Blog Exchange (TBEX) in Vancouver this summer and she explained she requires camp participants to have a passport not for “a specific trip but because it allows them to travel.”
Having a passport “changes how they view themselves,” she said.
What Exactly is a Passport Party?
Saturday, June 4, Tracey hosted her Passport Party in Northern California. It was a day of fun was themed with travel and included outdoor and indoor games, travel facts, cupcake-themed cupcakes, and a trip for passport photos. She sent money orders made payable to the U.S. Department of State to parents of the eight girls and included detailed instructions on completing the passport applications. Each girl is required to send her a photo of herself with her first passport.
General Motors was an event sponsor by providing transportation for the day and travel blogger April Thompson gifted a passport.
What the Passport Party Project Needs
Funding. If you represent a travel brand, company or public relations agency that might be interested in sponsoring all, some or even just one Passport Party, contact Tracey Friley for cost breakdowns. Funding is tax deductible. Or, sponsor one girl fully or partially for her first passport.
Publicity. Spread the word about the Passport Party Project to give at least 100 girls their first passport. Like the page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/PassportParty
Swag. Have connections to travel-related SWAG? Luggage tags, lip balms, travel kits? If you have access to at least 120 pieces, drop her a line!
What’s a Passport Cost these Days?
For U.S. citizen minors (younger than 18-years-old), the cost of a passport book is an $80 application fee plus $25 execution fee. Visit the U.S. State Department website for a list of all passport book and card fees.
Thank you for your support, Jennifer! It means so much to me. And that photo, wow. I look so serious! (My mother would call it expressive.) Either way, it is a true indication of what The Passport Party Project means to me. You certainly captured it. Thanks again! Cheers to travel and giving girls a world view. =D
You’re welcome and I’m so excited for what you’re doing 🙂 I really like the passion you’re expressing in the photo – you go girl!
This is such a nice idea. A passport does help you feel free to travel. Right now I send money to kiva.org and when $25 is paid back, reinvest it. Will have to see what I can do to help promote this. OR maybe Oprah or someone like her can help too.
Yeah, I really like what she’s doing and I think there are several media outlets that would be interested in her story, hopefully she gets the exposure she deserves! And cool you invest in Kiva.