Transportation and adventure‑planning guidelines ensure that all Girl Scout outings are supported by safe travel practices and thoughtful preparation, outlining how adults coordinate logistics, assess readiness, and choose appropriate activities and partners. Together, these standards help leaders create well‑organized, age‑appropriate experiences that keep every participant safe from departure through the full adventure.
Parents/guardians are individually responsible for deciding how to transport their Girl Scouts to and from meetings.
For Girl Scout trips involving transportation in private vehicles, ensure the following:
Plan ahead for safe driving:
These vehicles can be used if the driver has the proper training and license. All passengers must wear seat belts while the vehicle is moving. Riding in a trailer or truck bed is not allowed.
Volunteers are discouraged from using 15-passenger vans due to safety concerns. School buses, minibuses, or minivans are preferred. If no other option exists, follow these guidelines before transporting Girl Scouts:
Note: These rules do not apply to professionally operated commercial vans (e.g., airport shuttles), which are permitted.
Public transportation includes buses, trains, airlines, ferries, and similar options. In the U.S., these are regulated and generally safe. Encourage a girl-led approach by having members compare fares and schedules with adult guidance to make informed decisions.
When traveling internationally, assess the available transportation options in the host country. Evaluate safety and accessibility based on local conditions.
Chartered vehicles, such as buses, are hired with a driver for exclusive group use. Volunteers cannot sign charter contracts, even if free. Contact your council for approval and an authorized signature.
Chartered small aircraft trips require prior council and GSUSA approval for each flight. These trips are allowed only when safety standards for aircraft, equipment, and pilots are transparent and verifiable. Note that flying in privately owned aircraft is never allowed.
In the Activities at a Glance chart and in each activity’s Safety Activity Checkpoints, you’ll see whether council approval is required.
Some activities need extra preparation, such as certified instructors, safety gear, or facility vetting. In these cases, council approval promotes early coordination and clear expectations.
Council approval types:
Guide your group to choose activities that match their readiness, considering emotional, physical, and developmental stages. Start with simple tasks and gradually progress to more challenging ones as skills grow.
Examples of Progressive Experiences Follow checkpoints for each activity |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
If your Girl Scouts are interested in… |
Start with… |
Then try… |
If they love that… |
Then… |
Aquatics |
A pool party at a local municipal pool. (Lifeguards are provided!) |
A canoe lesson on a lake. See if a GS camp near you has one. |
Take a guided ocean kayak tour at a marine reserve. |
Take SCUBA or sailing lessons, or a canoe trip down a river! |
Climbing and Adventure |
A low ropes and team-building day at a nearby camp. |
Climbing and bouldering at an indoor gym. |
Book a weekend at a retreat center featuring a high ropes course. |
Zip line and canopy walk during a jungle trip in another country! |
Target Sports |
Slingshot target shooting at a local camp. |
An archery lesson during your next campout. |
Visit a BB/air gun range or go hatchet throwing. |
Take a knife-throwing lesson or take aim with a target shooting class! |
Travel |
A field trip to a children’s museum, with a walk to a nearby café for lunch. |
A getaway to a nearby city for a weekend—see if there’s a GS facility to stay in. |
Take a train to another state for college visits and sightseeing fun. |
Fly away to a WAGGGS World Centre; connect with sisters from around the globe! |
Notice how the above examples have layered activities, especially as you read to the right. Many adventurous activities happen during campouts or travel, which is wonderful! However, remember that overnights also follow a progression. Keep the big picture in mind and avoid introducing too many new experiences all at once.
Each activity section includes grade-level recommendations. These checkpoints serve as guidelines, not strict rules, though some activities follow industry standards. If your group feqels ready for activities designed for older grades, or if local circumstances make an activity suitable for younger participants than the checkpoints list, consult your council.
Our shared goal is to create safe, enjoyable, and empowering experiences for Girl Scouts.
Businesses and organizations providing facilities, equipment, activities, or instruction play a key role in safety and experience quality. Follow these steps:
“Experts” refers to any adult with certification, training, and/or expertise in an activity. This includes instructors, facilitators, and individuals holding certifications, such as lifeguards.
Examples include:
Experts gain experience in various ways, but the key is hands-on knowledge and a proven ability to guide others safely and successfully. Their expertise ensures you’re in capable hands.
For each activity, we list certifications from reputable industry organizations when available. These certifying bodies provide added protections, including structured curricula, rescue training, and insurance coverage, benefiting Girl Scout members.
If certified instructors are not available in your area, consider other qualified community experts. To assess their suitability, ask about:
By reviewing these factors, you can confidently determine if an instructor is the right fit for your Girl Scout activity. Contact your council office if any uncertainty remains.
When specific items, such as non-cotton clothing or long sleeves, are recommended for safety, find them listed in the activity’s Safety Activity Checkpoints (SACs). For general activities, use common sense when choosing what to wear or bring to an activity. These everyday items are not included in the Activity SACs.
Check the SACs to find out what safety gear is typically required for your activity. Discuss required equipment with your expert/instructor or the rental vendor to confirm that all necessary safety gear will be available. Inform families in advance about any items they must provide. Helmets and life jackets are critical safety gear for many activities.
Let’s take a closer look at key considerations:
Since helmets and life jackets are common essentials for many activities, let’s take a closer look at key considerations.
Helmets
Helmets are required for activities that could involve falls or impacts. Examples include cycling, skateboarding, skiing, and sledding. Helmets also provide protection from falling objects during activities like rock climbing or spelunking.
Consult your expert or instructor to determine the appropriate type of helmet for your activity and whether helmets are provided. Most adventure venues supply proper safety gear, but for activities like biking or skateboarding, participants must bring their own helmets. Inform caregivers early and provide the following guidance:
Life Jackets
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)–approved life jackets must be worn during many aquatic activities. They should be worn on larger vessels during dangerous conditions or whenever directed by crew. They can also be used to provide buoyancy for non-swimmers during snorkeling or swimming.
When the SACs list life jackets in the Safety Gear section, they are required for that activity. Note that life jackets are one type of personal flotation device (PFD). Throwable PFDs are cushions or ring buoys that can be thrown onto the water. A throwable PFD should never replace the proper use of a life jacket.
Confirm the availability of life jackets when making boating or instructional reservations. Most small craft rentals include life jackets, but in rare cases, you may need to provide your own. Every state has a life jacket loaner program.
When selecting a life jacket, consider the following: