Safety

The emotional and physical safety and well-being of Girl Scouts is our top priority. Safety Activity Checkpoints outlines the Safety Standards and Guidelines used in Girl Scouting, which apply to all Girl Scout activities.

You can reference our comprehensive safety guidance on our Health Guidelines page.

Safety Activity Checkpoints

All volunteers should review the Safety Activity Checkpoints manual when planning activities with youth members in order to manage safety and risk in Girl Scout-sanctioned activities.

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In Safety Activity Checkpoints, you’ll find:

Girl Scout Activity Safety Standards and Guidelines with requirements for adult supervision, permission slips, preparation, field trips and overnight trips, and other vital information

Activities that are not permitted by Girl Scouts of the USA and actions that youth and volunteers should not take
Policies surrounding chartered aircraft trips and aviation
First-aid and overall health information you’ll need from youth members
Standards for well-being and inclusivity, including working with Girl Scouts with disabilities and ensuring emotional safety
A breakdown of specific activities—such as camping, internet use, and water sports—and their individual safety checkpoints

Following the Safety Standards and Guidelines is an Activity-at-a-Glance chart which details two critical points to keep in mind:

Age-appropriate activities and participation by grade level
Whether prior approval from your council is required before youth participate in a specific activity

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Knowing How Many Volunteers You Need

From camping weekends to cookie booths, adult volunteers must always be present to ensure their Girl Scouts have fun and stay safe, no matter their grade level.

Not sure just how many adults you’ll need for your activity? The following chart breaks down the minimum number of volunteers needed to supervise a specific number of Girl Scouts; councils may also establish maximums due to size or cost restrictions, so be sure to check with them as you plan your activity.

	Group Meetings		Events, Travel, and Camping
	Two unrelated volunteers (at least one of whom is female) for up to this number of Girl Scouts:	One additional volunteer to each additional:	Two unrelated volunteers (at least one of whom is female) for up to this number of Girl Scouts:	One additional volunteer to each additional:
Daisies (grades K-1)	12	1-6	6	1-4
Brownies (grades 2-3)	20	1-8	12	1-6
Juniors (grades 4-5)	25	1-10	16	1-8
Cadettes (grades 6-8)	25	1-12	20	1-10
Seniors (grades 9-10)	30	1-15	24	1-12
Ambassadors (grades 11-12)	30	1-15	24	1-12

Whenever possible, the adult to youth ratio should be maintained. However, when navigating emergency health and safety situations, this ratio can be temporarily waived.

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Girl Scout safety remains our top priority regardless of where Girl Scouts are engaging in our programming. We have compiled the following guidance around keeping Girl Scout youth, volunteers, and families safe if they encounter law enforcement officers in their community.

Please note: these recommendations do not constitute legal advice.

As a volunteer or caregiver, what do I do if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) shows up at a Girl Scout event that is taking place at a location owned or leased by Girl Scouts of Western Washington, including at an office, camp, or Girl Scout House?

Do not allow access without a valid warrant. Notify the Girl Scout staff on site. If staff are not available, please call Girl Scouts of Western Washington at 1-800-541-9852 from 9:00 AM-4:50 PM on weekdays or use our emergency line (1-800-303-9963) at all other times.

As a volunteer or caregiver, what do I do if I.C.E. or other law enforcement show up at a Girl Scout event that is not taking place on Girl Scout property (location is not an office, camp, or Girl Scout House owned or leased by Girl Scouts of Western Washington)?

We suggest you review the resources from Northwest Immigrant Rights Project to know your rights on how to respond:

Following the incident, we ask that you follow this post raid/inspection protocol:

Notify caregivers and immediate family of detained individuals immediately.
As soon as possible, and no more than four hours after the incident, contact Girl Scouts of Western Washington by calling 1-800-541-9852 from 9:00 AM-4:50 PM on weekdays or use our emergency line (1-800-303-9963) at all other times.
Once contacted, Girl Scouts of Western Washington will assist with contacting impacted caregivers about the incident. Please be prepared to share the following information:
1. Name and date of birth of the individual that was detained
2. Date, time, and location of where the incident occurred
3. If possible, information on where the individual will be detained
4. Badge number(s) of agent(s)
5. Names of Girl Scout youth and adults present
6. Contact information of detained individual (or preferred guardian) to confirm against Girl Scouts of Western Washington records for additional follow up with the family
Finally, please complete an incident report.

Additional Resources

Permissions and Forms

Whether you are meeting with youth members or planning an event, Girl Scouts has tools to help you reduce risk and make sure everyone's on the same page.

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Troop Meeting Day Checklist: Check out all the forms you'll need to run a safe troop meeting!

Health History Form for Youth and Adult Girl Scout Participants: This form should be kept on hand for every youth member in a troop.

Transportation Card

Caregiver Permission for Overnights, High-Risk Activities, and Sensitive Topics

Application for High Risk and Sensitive Topics

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Emergency Procedure Card

Incident Report Form: If there’s an incident at your meeting or event (injuries, disputes, etc.), complete this online form no later than 24-72 hours after the event. This is the preferred method of submission.
- Incident Report Paper Form: Use if needed to report incidents to the council.