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Adult Standards
Adult supervision and behavior standards establish the expectations adults must follow to create a safe, supportive environment for Girl Scouts, outlining required supervision structures and clear guidelines for maintaining appropriate, responsible conduct at all activities.
Adult Supervision Standards
All Girl Scout volunteers and staff who oversee youth members should become familiar with and agree to adhere to Girl Scout Child Abuse Prevention Policies and Procedures.
Girl Scout groups gathering in-person or virtually must follow these guidelines:
- They must have at least two unrelated, registered, background-checked adults present and actively supervising. Youth leaders cannot take their place.
- At least one of the adults must be female.
- The two required adults must not be related or live in the same household.
Adult supervision rules apply to all Girl Scout activities, including meetings, trip/travel, camps, events, and activities. There are no exceptions. Report any deviation from this policy to your council.
Note: Invited or additional participating adults can be related, but they cannot replace the two unrelated leaders.
Determine the minimum number of adult chaperones needed:
- Adult-to-youth ratios vary based on participants’ ages and the type of activity.
- Group meetings require fewer adults; use the “Group Meetings” column.
- Outings, activities, camping, and travel require more supervision. Use the “Events, Travel, and Camping” column.
Count all children (Girl Scouts or not) in supervision ratios unless they are under the constant care of their own parent/guardian who is not acting as a chaperone.
|
Girl Scout Adult-to-Youth Ratios |
Group Meetings |
Events, Travel, & Camping |
||
|
Two |
One |
Two |
One |
|
|
Girl Scout Daises (Grades K–1) |
12 |
1–6 |
6 |
1–4 |
|
Girl Scout Brownies (Grades 2–3) |
20 |
1–8 |
12 |
1–6 |
|
Girl Scout Juniors (Grades 4–5) |
25 |
1–10 |
16 |
1–8 |
|
Girl Scout Cadettes (Grades 6–8) |
25 |
1–12 |
20 |
1–10 |
|
Girl Scout Seniors (Grades 9–10) |
30 |
1–15 |
24 |
1–12 |
|
Girl Scout Ambassadors (Grades 11–12) |
30 |
1–15 |
24 |
1–12 |
Exceptions and Special Circumstances
- For multi-level groups, follow the adult-to-youth ratio for the youngest grade level. For example, if a group includes Daisies and Brownies, use the Daisy ratio.
- High-adventure activities may need more adults than standard ratios. Specific requirements are outlined in the individual activity section.
- Bring in additional adults as necessary to support your group’s unique needs. Involve Girl Scouts in decisions and keep their participation central.
- Friends, family, or other guests may occasionally join Girl Scout activities. In fact, some events welcome family participation! Adults who plan to participate with Girl Scouts regularly (more than once or twice) should be registered, council-approved adult volunteers. Non-members cannot substitute for approved, background-checked adult volunteers for adult supervision ratios.
- Adults who join overnight trips, drive, or handle money require registration, background checks, and child abuse prevention training.
- Check with your council for specific requirements related to adult friends, family, and guests. Some councils may require fingerprinting or additional background checks, depending on local regulations.
Adult Behavior Standards and Protocols
No Tolerance for Physical or Sexual Abuse
Abuse of any kind—physical, verbal, emotional, or sexual—is strictly prohibited. This includes sexual pressure, advances, improper touching, communication, or activity with Girl Scout members. Immediately report any such behavior, including incidents between youth, to council staff. Volunteers must complete the required training and follow council reporting guidelines. All incidents will prompt immediate action and law enforcement notification when required.
No Tolerance for Youth Violence and Bullying
Youth violence and bullying are strictly prohibited in Girl Scouts. Youth violence includes the intentional use of physical force or power to harm or threaten others, with bullying as a specific form. Volunteers must recognize the signs, risk factors, and prevention strategies. Report any such behavior to council staff immediately. For guidance, explore CDC resources on youth violence and bullying prevention:
Child Abuse and Mandated Reporter
All states and U.S. territories have laws that identify persons who are required to report suspected child abuse to an appropriate agency. Therefore, if you witness or suspect child abuse or neglect, whether inside or outside of Girl Scouting, always notify the appropriate council staff immediately. Also follow your council’s guidelines for reporting your concerns to the proper agency within your state. Volunteers must take council-approved abuse prevention training that includes resources on reporting in their area. For more information, please review these available resources:
- Child Welfare Information Gateway about Child Abuse and Neglect
- How to Report Child Abuse and Neglect
- CDC Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention
Adult-to-Child Communications
Adults are not permitted to make one-to-one contact with youth members in person, by phone, email, social media, text, IM, chat, etc. There should always be at least one other supervising adult or parent involved when contacting youth members.
Appropriate Behavior
Adult volunteers must uphold the Girl Scout Promise and Law. When with Girl Scouts or representing the organization, refrain from:
- Consuming alcohol
- Smoking or vaping
- Using foul language
- Breaking laws (e.g., texting while driving, trespassing)
Drugs and Alcohol Policy
- Volunteers and adults may not purchase, use, or be under the influence of alcohol, recreational drugs, or impairing medications during Girl Scout activities, while conducting Girl Scout business, or in the presence of youth members.
- Alcohol or substances that impair judgment must not be used near youth members or before Girl Scout activities.
Events with Alcohol
- Alcohol may be served to adults of legal age at events where no youth members are present, with approval of the council’s board of directors or chief executive officer.
- Girl Scouts may attend events at venues where alcohol is sold (e.g., stadiums or theaters) if alcohol is consumed elsewhere, away from youth members.
Firearms and Weapons Policy
Firearms and weapons are prohibited at all Girl Scout activities and on Girl Scout–owned or –leased properties, except in specific cases when they are:
- Carried by a law enforcement officer
- Held by council-authorized property staff
- Used by licensed wildlife control personnel
- Controlled by a certified instructor during a council-approved Girl Scout program activity
Volunteers and adults must not carry firearms or ammunition in the presence of Girl Scouts unless they have special permission from the council for target sports activities.
All shooting sports equipment must be kept under lock when not in active use. Ammunition must be stored in a separate locked area.
