Citizen FAQ

When, Where and How Do I Go?

When?

Sunday, June 6, 2010 through Saturday, June 12, 2010

Where?

Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn.

How?

You are responsible for your transportation to and from Girls State. If you drive your own car, parking is available in a campus parking lot near the dorm. Parking permits will be available at registration. You are not allowed to drive your car during your stay at Girls State.

Arrival

Registration is between 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., Central Daylight Time, on Sunday, June 6. Please complete registration before unloading your luggage, which should be labeled with your name and address. Upon arrival, ALA VGS staff will be guide you through the registration process.

Registration Forms (bring completed forms to registration) and $50 Activity Fee

• Medical form, completed and signed by parent or guardian (no doctor’s signature is necessary), with copy of insurance card attached
• Media permission form, signed by parent or guardian
• VGS rules, signed by citizen and parent or guardian
• Samsung application
(If you are eligible – please visit our Samsung info page for details and eligibility requirements.)
• $50 Activity Fee

Departure

Citizens should be picked up Saturday, June 12, at 4 p.m., Central Daylight Time, in the lobby of your dorm. There will be no counselor supervision after 4:30 p.m. CDT.

If, for any reason, you cannot arrive on Sunday, June 6, or remain until Saturday, June 12, you must inform your school guidance counselor, chair of your school’s ALA VGS committee, and Julia Wells, Chairwoman of ALA VGS.

Failure to notify a representative of ALA VGS of your decision not to attend could result in your repayment of your $250.00 fee to your sponsor.


What do I pack for ALA VGS?

Download and print our printable checklist to ease the packing process.

What’s In It for Me?

As staff and counselors, we firmly believe that this program is life-changing. Not only will you experience cooperation among 500 of your peers to build a working government and make new friends from across Tennessee, but ALA VGS also provides the following benefits:

Samsung Scholarship

This scholarship is one of a series of scholarships derived from an endowment from the Samsung Corporation, a worldwide leader in electronics. The endowment was created to express appreciation to U.S. veterans who came to the aid of Korea during its struggle against communist forces during the Korean War. The American Legion administers this scholarship program from a Samsung scholarship fund. Please visit our Samsung information page for complete details, as well as a link to download the application.

Girls Nation

ALA Volunteer Girls State selects two citizens to travel to Washington, D.C., in the middle of July to serve as senators from Tennessee in the Girls Nation program. Girls Nation citizens participate in a mock federal government, electing and appointing federal officials. Over the years, ALA VGS has sent several citizens who have been elected Girls Nation president. Highlights of that week include: meeting senators, representatives, and other high-ranking federal officials; touring the Washington, D.C., monuments and the Smithsonian; and touring the White House and possibly meeting with the president of the United States.

The ALA VGS Network

The people you meet at ALA VGS and the friends you make are all young women with tremendous potential and successful futures ahead. Citizens selection is based on academic achievement, strength of character, and school and community contributions. The counselors and staff who lead you during the week, all former ALA VGS citizens, will share their many talents and successes with you as well. The value of making connections with these kinds of women is difficult to measure, but well worth your time and hard work.

What if I have additional questions?

Use our contact page to send us a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.