Here's an update on the 2011 Family Travel Forum Teen Travel Writing Scholarship contest.
Since May 1, 2011, our 5th annual scholarship has attracted more than 5,500 applicants. Each blog was read by interns from the English and Journalism departments at New York University, Elon College, Hofstra University and the University of Illinois, a team of readers from the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), as well as Family Travel Forum editors to select the best of the best.
The judges have almost completed selecting their quarter finalists, whose status is being posted online.
What happens next in the Scholarship Judging?
From this Quarter Finalist work, a group of semi-finalists is also being chosen and published to the site. This process of scoring and publishing work will continue through mid-October. To see how you've done so far, log in and visit your My Info page under the "MyTravels" tab.
After that, the last round of finalists will be sent to the senior judging team at SATW, Travel's Most Trusted Voices. SATW promotes responsible journalism and encourages the conservation and preservation of travel resources worldwide. Their team of professional writers, editors and photographers will select the winners of the 2011 FTF Teen Travel Writing Contest in the Best Travel Blog, Best Photography and Best Video categories.
How did we make our picks?
Because we had so many great stories, the judging was simply a process of elimination. First, we disqualified a surprising number of fine blogs from advancing because they didn't have the required photo, video or artwork. We didn't look for perfect grammar or perfect spelling, and we rarely found it. 🙂
Instead, we listened to your stories and what your travels meant to you. The very best travel blogs gave us a strong sense of place, practical details, of why this particular period in your life was special, and what it might mean to other young travelers.
If your travel tale is selected as a quarter or semi finalist, congratulations! Your work will be in approximately the top 15% of all the travel blogs submitted. We encourage you to share your blogs with friends and families, so they can enjoy and comment on it.
Do you need to do anything?
If your work advances to the Finals, you will be contacted in a separate email to request the paperwork required for your blog to be sent to the last judges. On or about October 18, 2011, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place blogs, those chosen for Honorable Mention, and the best work in photography and video will be announced and will be posted on the site.
Again, thanks for sharing your stories with us and good luck to all of you!
The Family Travel Forum Judges
P.S. If you have any questions, please use the Contact Us page or Facebook to get in touch.
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Great advice. I took my girls to camp, and it was an amazing experience for all of us, as I had never been to camp as a child.
Luxembourg is well known for its cultural life and traditions. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions. So if you want to explore this city, rent a car, take a map and go places.Luxembourg Car hire will offer a wide variety of cars to suit your rental preferences.
Is that for real? That is the most beautiful thing that I ever seen. Really great. I think the first picture is really exotic. You still have time to capture this photo during your day? Awesome.
Yes nice place for faimly vacation
You explain your trip so wonderfully that i decided to go for it with my family on coming weekend.
Although it might a be a good time to go in winter, I prefer Vancouver in Winter days!!
Thanks very much for these tips, they are really helpful for me!!
Being a Harry Potter fan, I guess I will have to go to Great Britain to explore more….
Thanks for informative and helpful post, obviously in your blog everything is good.If you post informative comments on blogs there is always the chance that actual humans will click through.
With that smartphone that we have we'll be able to communicate with all the people around us. This make our life easier and we stay connected even we are live in other place or even in another country.
Ohh nice movie to watch with faimly..
The type of travel chronicled here might be too hardcore for most families, but this kind of travel could offer a greater bonding experience. There are several Guide services that run this river in rafts. making it much easier and safer for families.
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I think that it could be nice to take advantage of insider tips, and since I'm also planning a trip it is very tempting for me to explore this website even more.
I really enjoyed this post and Thanx for the effort, keep up the good work Great work.
JW Marriott has the distinction of excellence and I suspect that this location is no different to the other Marriott owned hotels and resorts.
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? as it is extremely helpful for me.
The post is absolutely fantastic! Lots of great information and inspiration, both of which we all need! Also like to admire the time and effort you put into your blog and detailed information you offer
On June 4, 2011, American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day will bring together outdoor enthusiasts across the country for the 19th annual celebration of America's magnificent trail system and its countless supporters and volunteers.
See http://www.AmericanHiking.org for details on one of the 2,000 events near you.
I got so many points here, that's why i love reading your post. Thank you so much!
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Colombia is a great country. We have a very rich and diverse culture. It is a modern city where you can find everything you would in any other touristic spot. Bogota has lots of museums, parks, and universities, thus it is called "The Athens of South America". Everyone is so welcome to come!
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Hi; We are looking to do a family reunion this summer for 20 adults and 13 kids. The last two weeks in July are the best weeks. We are looking at a 5 to 7 day stay. Do you have any availability?
Thanks
Tom
Wow! My girls thought the dog sledding looked really cool and the cable gliding too. Wish we were there with you guys!
Cybele
Yeah.. Its great i am planning for my next vacation and it's looking that i am at the right place.
omg
how fabulous
I really enjoyed this article. As a cold weather hating person in a family split between winter/summer weather lovers, this article and video have inspired me. The cold stuff actually looks FUN for once, and the water park at the end will make up for it in case it's not… Thanx for the tip off!
Railing across Europe is the only way to travel! Convenient, cheap, and easy with kids!
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What a great story about the butterfly hatching; that is so much like the Belizean love for nature.
I love this place too. It is unique and quiet, and with so much to do. Menno was great–he knows so much about the medicinal plants and that knowledge is disappearing from many of the caribbean Islands. In some it has been actively discouraged by telling people it is "black magic." Pharmaceutical business interests guarding a monopoly more likely.
Has anyone been back since Tomas in Oct. 2010? I have a few articles on my HubPages site, but from before the destruction of Hurricane Tomas.
Great page! That is what I need. Thanks very much!
Look….How cute he is looking Mikel …..We Really missed him.
Hey, great blog…but I don’t understand how to add your site in my rss reader. Can you Help me, please
Upon checking in, a staff member brought us a little box house with a pupa, which would hopefully hatch into a butterfly during our stay, and which we were instructed to set free
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I am looking for this information, Thanks for that article, very helpful to me.
This is insanely beautiful! I regret so much that I've missed it!!!
You have a very inspiring way of exploring and sharing your thoughts. It is very uncommon nowadays, lots of sites and blogs having copy pasted or rewritten info. But here, no doubt, info is original and very well structured. It is just an amazing piece of work, which motivates me to read more and more of your. Awesome!
I couldn’t agree more with this article, these days holidays are really a luxury and by vacationing in a place like New Rock City will keep the kids wildly entertained but won’t hurt the wallet.
When you are taking in the sights in Barcelona city go to the Carrer de l'Hospital road and there is a Tapas bar there that welcomes kids. From there all other attractions are within walking distance.
2011 and there is still fantastic bargains across the world. Regardless of budget and type of travel there is something for everyone.
Go to http://www.ridebrightside.com and discover Barcelona cruising on a Sidecar motorcycle!
Your private guide will take you on an amazing journey into the city’s famous attractions, the authentic Mediterranean lifestyle and hidden secrets, away from the touristic areas.
The Aegean is spectacular. It is really amazing to see so many blindingly white buildings that have such striking historic relevance in Mykonos.
The Aegean is amazing! The white buildings of Mykonos will blind you on a sunny day and the elegance and age of it is truly spectacular.
What a special gift to take your grand children on a cruise and show them such striking destinations.
I have been through the whole content of this blog which is very informative and knowledgeable stuff, So i would like to visit again.
Your idea to post the required documents information for the 10 most popular travel countries is a great one, but unfortunately, that information might change depending on where the family was coming from and going to each of those 10 countries.
For American citizens, the U.S. Dept of State website at http://travel.state.gov is still the best and most up to date resource, as you can search their Country Guides for the one you will be visiting, and read the latest regulations.
Citizens of other countries should check their own foreign ministry to determine what is required in terms of visa and childrens permission documents.
I would have to admit that any location in South America is a great option for a family vacation. The lifestyle, the culture, the weather and the variety of activities will leave you all wanting more.
I like this direct no nonsense article and it is accurate and how it should be. I just hope this is taken seriously in all countries.
Great story, going to bring my daughter up now!