About the program
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Acceptance criteria
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Application process
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About GALS Southwest Virginia
When will GALS be held?
Is GALS free? How many students are in each trip cohort? What is backpacking? Do I need previous backpacking experience? What if I don't have any backpacking gear? How can I train for physical challenges? What are the leaders' qualifications and how are you handling safety of participants? |
See the Home page for this year's event date!
Yes, GALS is free for all participants! The summer program will include about 7 students and 3 leaders. Backpacking is hiking with all the gear that you need to camp on your back. You will pack your clothes, food, toiletries, tent, and all other gear that you need in the backpack that you'll carry. For our trip, you can expect your backpack to weigh around NUMBER lbs. No previous backpacking experience is necessary. We will teach you all of the skills that you need! Just come with a willingness to learn outdoor skills. Don't let this stop you from applying! We will lend you all the gear needed for GALS. You can prepare by engaging in cardio exercise in the months leading up to GALS. You can run, bike, hike, or take long walks! Expect 3-6 miles of hiking per day while in the backcountry. As a Virginia Cooperative Extension 4H affiliated program, our leaders fall under the same expectations as 4H camp leaders. This means approximately 24 hours worth of trainings to create a physically and emotionally safe environment for all participants. Additionally, all leaders have documented backpacking or outdoor skills, and at a minimum CPR/First Aid certification. At least one leader will have advance wildlife first aid or EMT certification. Finally, we will have 'home base' contact not in the backcountry available in case of emergencies. |
Acceptance Criteria
How old do I have to be to apply?
I've never done anything like GALS. Should I apply? Will my GPA affect my acceptance into GALS? I don't think I'm very good at science, and I don't have good grades in my science classes, but I think science is fun. Is this a good program for me? I don't identify as female, but I don't identify as male either. Can I apply? My parents may not be able to drive me to and from the meeting location for the program. Are there other options for me? |
GALS participants should be either (1) currently in 9-12th grade at the time of application or (2) earning a GED and 18 or younger.
Yes! GALS wants to provide hands-on, outdoor science opportunities to people who haven’t had them. If you haven’t done anything like GALS but it sounds up your alley, you should apply! No, we do not take GPA into account when deciding who to accept for GALS. Selection is based upon motivation, interest in science, and a team spirit. Yes! Everyone can do science! If you are excited about the idea of doing hands-on science out in nature, then this is the program for you – it doesn’t matter to us what grades you receive in the classroom. We will help build your confidence in science: We will explore the scientific method, how to design experiments, and how to analyze data. We believe that the best way to learn is to do, and the best place to learn about science is outside! Yes! The number one goal of GALS is to increase outdoor science opportunities for groups that are underrepresented in science – especially with respect to gender identity, race or ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. We encourage anyone who doesn’t identify as male to apply. Yes, if there is need, GALS may be able to arrange pick-up for participants prior to the start of the program. Please contact us directly to discuss your particular situation. |
Application process
When are applications due?
What if I don't have access to a computer to complete the online application? Who should write my letters of recommendation? Do you accept late applications? When do I find out if I was accepted? What should my references include in their letter of recommendation? |
See the deadline posted in the Application section.
If you do not have access to the online application, please let us know. We are happy to provide you with a hard-copy of the application questions, and you can submit the application by mailing it in. You should ask for letters of recommendation from adults that know you well and have seen you in an academic, leadership, or outdoor environment. This could mean a science teacher, an English teacher, a soccer coach, a camp director, a boss at your job, etc. We want to hear from someone who knows you well – why you would learn and grow from a program like GALS. When you decide who you want to write your letters, you should ask them in person or over email if they are willing to write letters for you. Provide them with information about the program, why you want to do it, and why you are a good fit for it. Also make sure to tell them when the letter is due and how to submit it. No, we do not accept late applications. We have to have concrete numbers to ensure our lodging has the correct number of beds! We will email your application status by May. We unfortunately we can’t accept everyone who applies. If you are not accepted this year, we encourage you to apply again next year, and to see if there are other science opportunities available in your area. Once you (the student applicant) submit your application, your references will receive an e-mail with a link to the recommendation form. This contains specific questions for them to answer. We want to hear about why your references think you are a perfect fit for GALS. What will you bring to GALS? And, equally important, how will you benefit from GALS? We use these letters of recommendations to get a better sense of who the students are. The more details they can tell us about you (especially personal stories), the better. |