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 pandemic safety guidance on our COVID-19 Guidelines page.
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.
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
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.
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.
These handy checklists will help you fill out all the correct forms for your next Girl Scout getaway!
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