side menu icon
Travel-&-Global-Community-Large

How to Explore Travel & Global Community

The Travel & Global Community Focus Area can be broken down into 3 categories, listed below. In each category, you'll also find topics that girls can explore, as well as a wealth of programming and resources for parents and leaders.

Travel: Local, U.S., International, Service

Girls gain heightened levels of independence through planning their travel experience, seeing the sights, trying something new, and finding solutions to challenges that are likely to arise in unfamiliar locales.

Topics
  • Planning and preparedness for travel
  • Exploring different modes of transportation
  • Understanding basic language and logistics in foreign places
  • Giving service to communities in need
  • and many more!

Planning and Preparedness for Travel

Exploring modes of transportation

Understanding basic languages and logistics in foreign places

Connection to Other Focus Areas
  • Creating a budget in the travel planning stage ties together with the financial literacy category of Practical Life Skills.
  • Taking care of yourself, communicating effectively, and showing independence are all part of the Adulting category of Practical Life Skills.  
GSNI Council Sponsored Trips

Trips sponsored by the council allow girls to travel with a friend or individually with other girls from our council.

Future GSNI Travel Plans

Summer 2023: National Council Session and Convention

Girl Scouts of the USA sends the following message regarding the 2023 National Council Session.

We are excited to announce the dates for the next National Council Session (NCS): Tuesday, July 18, through Thursday, July 20, 2023. 

Also, “Phenom by Girl Scouts,” an event just for girls, will follow our 56th NCS—kicking off on Thursday, July 20, and wrapping up on Saturday, July 22, 2023.

Registration is now open for GSNI's Council Sponsored Trip to National Council Session and Phenom. 

 Summer 2023: Our Chalet, Switzerland (for Girl Scouts in high school)

July 22-29, 2023 - High Adventure experience at one of the WAGGGS World Center. To see what is included in this council sponsored trip, please check out the Our Chalet trip information.

We still have opening's available for Our Chalet. To apply please fill out the application below and return to Customer Care. 

Girl Application

Adult Application

Girl Scout Guide to U.S. Travel

Use this guide to plan a three- to four-night trip in your region, or if you’ve already tackled something local, a longer trip anywhere in the United States! As you go through this guide, you’ll learn if you’re ready for more advanced travel and what you need to do to get started. With the right tools and plenty of planning, any Girl Scout can make her travel dreams come true!

Girl Scout Guide to U.S. Travel

GSUSA Destinations

Girl Scout Destinations are the ultimate adventure for individual girls ages 11 and older! (For troop opportunities, check out  Getaways or  International Events). With different trips every year, there’s something amazing for everyone. Pack your bags full of life-changing experiences and make friends from all over the country as you travel with Girl Scouts from different states.

Want to see what Girl Scout Destinations are available, check out GSUSA's Destination page. 

Explorer

The Explorer Level is for girls who are ready for short visits to local points of interest. Here are some resources and forms you may need when planning and going on your local trip.

Resources Forms  Required Trainings for Outdoor Activities
How to Plan a Field Trip Annual Permission Slip* Beyond the Troop Meeting** 
Preferred Partner List Acitivity Sign Up Sheet*  
How to ask a Non-Preferred Parnter Activity Permission Slip*  
Girl Planning for this Type of Trip Checklist  
Suggested Locations/Itinerary Safety Activity Checkpoints  
Tips From Volunteers Who have Done It Certificate of Insurance  
Planning Check-List    

 

*One of these forms is required to have filled out. You can choose which form to use as a permission slip. The Annual Permission Slip is used with the Activity Sign Up Sheet. You can use these forms to save time throughout the year to get parents permission for their Girl Scout to go on field trips, go to programs and/or events. Or you can use the Activity Permission Slip each time your troop goes on a field trip, to a program or an event. 

**Beyond the Troop Meeting is a required self-study training for you to complete in gsLearn. 

Day Tripper

The Day Tripper Level is for girls who are ready to visit a nearby city or location for a full day of fun and activities. Below you will find the resources and forms you will need to play a successful day trip with your girls. 

Resources Forms Required Trainings
How to Plan This Type of Trip Annual Permission Slip* Beyond The Troop Meeting**
Girl Planning Activities Sign-Up Sheet* First Aid/CPR Certification
Preferred Partner List Acitivities Permission Slip*  
How to Ask a Non-Preferred Partner Checklist  
Suggested Locations Troop Trip and Overnight Form  
Tips From Volunteers Who have done this trip Certificate of Insurance  
Planning Check-List Extra Insurance for non-members  
Safety Activity Checkpoints    

*One of these forms is required to have filled out. You can choose which form to use as a permission slip. The Annual Permission Slip is used with the Activity Sign Up Sheet. You can use these forms to save time throughout the year to get parents permission for their Girl Scout to go on field trips, go to programs and/or events. Or you can use the Activity Permission Slip each time your troop goes on a field trip, to a program or an event. 

**Beyond the Troop Meeting is a required self-study training for you to complete in gsLearn. 

Overnighter

The Overnighter Level is for girls who are ready to stay one or two nights away from home that is less than 300 miles away. Overnighter is split into two different catagories: Overnighter (Outdoor Lodge) and Overnighter (Outdoor Camping). Below you will find the resources and forms you will need to play a successful overnight trip with your girls. 

Resources Forms Required Trainings
How to Plan This Type of Trip Annual Permission Slip* Beyond the Troop Meeting** 
Girl Planning Activities Sign-Up Sheet* Lodge Camping Training ***
Preferred Partner List Acitivities Permission Slip* Outdoor Overnight Training****
Sample Itinerary Checklist First Aid/CPR Certification
Suggested Locations Troop Trip and Overnight Form  
Tips From Volunteers Who have done this trip Girl Information Form  
Planning Check-List Certificate of Insurance  
Safety Activity Checkpoints Extra Insurance for non-members  

*One of these forms is required to have filled out. You can choose which form to use as a permission slip. The Annual Permission Slip is used with the Activity Sign Up Sheet. You can use these forms to save time throughout the year to get parents permission for their Girl Scout to go on field trips, go to programs and/or events. Or you can use the Activity Permission Slip each time your troop goes on a field trip, to a program or an event. 

**Beyond the Troop Meeting is a required self-study training for you to complete in gsLearn. 

***Lodge Camping Training is a required training that must be completed before taking the girls on an indoor overnight.

****Overnight Camping Training is a required training that must be completed before taking the girls on an indoor overnight with outdoor activities or an outdoor overnight. 

Weekender

The Weekender Level is for girls who are ready to stay two to four nights away from home that is over 300 miles away. Below you will find the resources and forms you will need to play a successful overnight trip with your girls. 

Resources Forms Required Trainings
How to Plan This Type of Trip Annual Permission Slip* Beyond The Troop Meeting**
Girl Planning Activities Sign-Up Sheet* Lodge Camping Training ***
Preferred Partner List Acitivities Permission Slip* Outdoor Overnight Training****
Sample Itinerary Checklist First Aid/CPR Certification
Suggested Locations Troop Trip and Overnight Form  
Tips From Volunteers Who have done this trip Girl Information Form  
Planning Check-List Certificate of Insurance  
Safety Activity Checkpoints Extra Insurance for non-members  

*One of these forms is required to have filled out. You can choose which form to use as a permission slip. The Annual Permission Slip is used with the Activity Sign Up Sheet. You can use these forms to save time throughout the year to get parents permission for their Girl Scout to go on field trips, go to programs and/or events. Or you can use the Activity Permission Slip each time your troop goes on a field trip, to a program or an event. 

**Beyond the Troop Meeting is a required self-study training for you to complete in gsLearn. 

***Lodge Camping Training is a required training that must be completed before taking the girls on an indoor overnight.

****Overnight Camping Training is a required training that must be completed before taking the girls on an indoor overnight with outdoor activities or an outdoor overnight. 

Traveler

The Traveler Level is for girls who are ready to go anywhere in the country and often lasting a week or more. Below you will find the resources and forms you will need to play a successful overnight trip with your girls. 

Resources Forms Required Trainings
How to Plan This Type of Trip Annual Permission Slip* Beyond The Troop Meeting**
Girl Planning Activities Sign-Up Sheet* First Aid/CPR Certification
Preferred Partner List Acitivities Permission Slip*  
Sample Itinerary Checklist  
Suggested Locations Troop Trip and Overnight Form  
Tips From Volunteers Who have done this trip Girl Information Form  
Planning Check-List Certificate of Insurance  
Safety Activity Checkpoints Extra Insurance for non-members  

*One of these forms is required to have filled out. You can choose which form to use as a permission slip. The Annual Permission Slip is used with the Activity Sign Up Sheet. You can use these forms to save time throughout the year to get parents permission for their Girl Scout to go on field trips, go to programs and/or events. Or you can use the Activity Permission Slip each time your troop goes on a field trip, to a program or an event. 

**Beyond the Troop Meeting is a required self-study training for you to complete in gsLearn.

Globetrotter

The Globetrotter Level is for girls who are ready to travel around the world. Below you will find the resources and forms you will need to play a successful overnight trip with your girls. 

Resources Forms Trainings
How to Plan This Type of Trip Annual Permission Slip* Beyond The Troop Meeting**
Girl Planning Activities Sign-Up Sheet* First Aid/CPR Certification
Preferred Partner List Acitivities Permission Slip* Schedule a required phone
or face to face meeting
with Program Manager***
Sample Itinerary Checklist  
Suggested Locations Troop Trip and Overnight Form  
Tips From Volunteers Who have done this trip Girl Information Form  
Planning Check-List Intent to Plan International Travel  
Safety Activity Checkpoints Permission to Travel Form for Minors  
Adult Guide to Global Travel Trip itinerary For International Travel  
Girl Guide to Global Travel Conduct for Girls/Adults  
  Certificate of Insurance  
  Extra Insurance for non-members  
  Travel Endowment Application  
  Financial Assistance for GS Travel  
  Money Earning Application  

*One of these forms is required to have filled out. You can choose which form to use as a permission slip. The Annual Permission Slip is used with the Activity Sign Up Sheet. You can use these forms to save time throughout the year to get parents permission for their Girl Scout to go on field trips, go to programs and/or events. Or you can use the Activity Permission Slip each time your troop goes on a field trip, to a program or an event. 

**Beyond the Troop Meeting is a required self-study training for you to complete in gsLearn. 

***This required meeting/phone call will be scheduled after you submit your Intent to Plan International Travel form. 

   

Understanding Cultures

Girls are exposed to cultures that are different from their own, increasing awareness, acceptance, and appreciation.

Topics
  • Family customs and holiday traditions
  • Languages
  • Clothing and personal image
  • Important symbols
  • World religions
  • Ethnic foods
  • and many more!
Connection to Other Focus Areas
  • Many activities related to understanding cultures also relate to The Arts as part of Career & Interest Exploration. Artistic expression is central to cultural identity around the world.

Global Issues

Girls gain an understanding of social justice issues around the world, and are inspired to make a difference.

Topics
  • Girls’/women’s issues
  • Education
  • Health care
  • Poverty
  • Gender-based violence
  • and many more
Connection to Other Focus Areas
  • Global Issues tie closely with the civic engagement and action topics in the Adulting Category of Practical Life Skills.

High Risk Activities

Throughout the Travel Progression, your girls may decide to attend some High Risk Activities on their trip. Listed below are the resources and forms you will need to have before you plan your high risk activities. 

Money and Travel

During your Girl - Led planning phase for any trip, you will want to talk with the girls and their parents about the financial aspect of planning a trip. Whether its a short trip to a local event or an international trip; you'll want to have your troop's trip budget all figure out. *Resources and Forms are Coming Soon! 

 Resources Forms
How to Work With Money in a Troop or Group Travel Account ACH Agreement
How to Talk to Parents About Travel Travel Troop/Group Finanical Report
How to Open a Travel Checking Account   
Keep her engaged and inspired in challenging times. Renew Now.
Keep her engaged and inspired in challenging times. Renew Now.
170x318_RightRail_2022_MV_Fall_2
170x318_RightRail_2022_MV_Fall_2