Catasauqua resident Jenna Eberhardt has big dreams of one day leaving the comforts of small town life in Catasauqua for the big city.

A Girl Scout with Troop 657 and a student at Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, Bethlehem, Jenna will get a taste of big city life this month when she spends 15 days in London, Paris and Switzerland through the Girl Scouts Destination program.

Since the age of 8, Jenna said she has dreamed of being selected for this experience. The program, which runs throughout the year, selects Girl Scouts who exhibit a desire to live in another country and experience another culture.

"It's been something I've always wanted to do," she said.

Acceptance into the competitive program requires completion of an application and an essay, with two references.

Jenna said she was surprised when she found out about her acceptance.

"They [Girl Scouts] emailed me," she said. "I went into my mom's room and said 'I got accepted!'"

Jenna raised about $3,200 for her trip through Girl Scout cookie sales, candy and bake sales, working at summer Girl Scout camp and donations. The total cost of the trip is $5,000.

"It amazes me how generous people are," said Jenna's mother, Stacy Zellner, who is a Troop 657 leader.

Zellner said she is proud of her daughter for applying and expressing a desire to live in another country.

"I'm excited for her," Zellner said. "I know she's ready to go out and experience it."

Jenna has been an active Girl Scout the past 11 years. In those 11 years she accumulated eight to 10 badges each year, participated in Girl Scout camps, took on leadership positions in the organization and assisted with various volunteer projects.

She currently serves as a senior Girl Scout ambassador and holds both the bronze and silver awards. She is working on the Gold Award at the moment.

Jenna says her experiences in the Girl Scouts have helped her grow as a person.

"I learned so much," she said. "It's made me more independent. I can handle myself well and it's a great way to make friends."

Her plans after high school include studying dance in New York City or Philadelphia.

Her long term goal, she said, is to be a cruise ship performer.

Until then, she'll be enjoying every aspect of life in London, Paris and Switzerland.

"It's going to be a lot of fun," she said.

Those interested in following Jenna's journey or donating to her trip may do so at her Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/JennasDestination.