What is a Discovery Girl?

We consider all of our readers "Discovery Girls"--girls who are curious, enthusiastic, and interested in becoming the very best they can be. In each issue of Discovery Girls, we also feature 12 girls we've chosen to represent their state in the magazine; we also call them "Discovery Girls." Every other month, we visit a different state for a two-day photo shoot, during which our Discovery Girls from that state model for us and help us brainstorm and write articles.

How do I become a Discovery Girl for my state?

If you are between the ages of 8 and 12 and we are visiting your state, fill out the questionnaire. Follow the instructions for sending it to us, and make sure you send it before the deadline for your state. Then, wait patiently. If you are chosen, you will receive a phone call to let you know. After we've contacted all of our Discovery Girls for your state, we'll post a notice on the Next Stop page. Good luck!

When are you coming to my state?

To find out which states we'll be visiting in the next few months, check out the Next Stop page on the web site.

You're not coming to my state soon! Now what?

If your state is not listed yet, don't be sad! You can still send us a questionnaire. We read them all, and we do want to know what you think. When we're ready to visit your state, we'll make sure you're considered.

Which states have you been to already?

To see all the states we've visited so far, click here. (Currently this page is being reconstructed)

You've already been to my state. Will you ever come back?

We do revisit states, so don't give up hope. However, if we've been to your state within the last year, it's not likely we'll return for another year at least.

I sent you a questionnaire, but now the questions are different. Do I need to fill out a new one?

Not necessarily. You should update your questionnaire once a year, but mostly because you've changed, not because the questions have. We change the questions occasionally because there's always something new we want to know, but it doesn't really matter which version of the questionnaire you fill out. When we decide to visit a state, we consider all the girls from that state who have sent in questionnaires in the last year.

Will I hear from DG if I don't get chosen?

Unfortunately we are not able to contact all the girls who are not chosen, but we do post a notice on the Next Stop page of discoverygirls.com when all the girls from a state have been notified.

How can I contribute to DG?

There are many ways to contribute to DG. You can send an entry for The Great Debate, an Embarrassing Moment, a letter to Ask Ali or Mailbag, a short story, poem, or essay for Young Writer's Corner, or a Worst Day story. You can also enter one of our many contests. (Please see the latest issue of Discovery Girls for details on current contests.)

Where should I mail letters, questionnaires, contests or surveys or editorial submissions?

Send all mail to:

Discovery Girls Inc.
P.O. Box 110760
Campbell, CA 95011

I wrote to Ask Ali but never got an answer. Why not?

Unfortunately Ali receives so many letters she isn't able to answer them all personally. She tries to choose letters for her column that will benefit many of our readers. If you have a serious problem or need advice immediately, you should ask an adult you trust for help.

I sent you a short story/poem/essay/ drawing/cartoon but you didn't print it yet. When will it be in the magazine?

We don't publish every submission we receive. For the greatest chance of seeing your work in the magazine, make sure it is your best effort and that the topic is one that is of interest to many girls.

If you've got a question we didn't answer, please email editor@discoverygirls.com