9 Available
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Documents and forms needed for safe activities. -
SAC's translated in Spanish
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A folder of common individual activities with waivers -
The at a glance chart of all SACs
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Chart of all climbing and high adventure activities
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Chart of all paddle sport activities
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Chart of all target sport activities.
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Safety guidelines for first aiders
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Activities not approved per SACs.
How to Use Safety Activity Checkpoints
On the following pages, you will find the individual safety activity checkpoints for Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois (GSNI) approved activities.
As soon as the Troop/Group begins planning a particular trip or activity, adult volunteers and troop leaders should always review:
- The Introduction: Standard Safety Guidelines section (Page 5 in the SAC Document), which provides the standard safety guidelines that apply to all Girl Scout activities, and
- The related individual activity’s safety activity checkpoints (e.g., Swimming, Backpacking, Camping)
Volunteers and troop leaders should then continue to refer to both the Introduction: Standard Safety Guidelines and the individual activity’s safety activity checkpoints throughout the entire activity planning process to ensure all proper precautions have been taken and all safety guidelines have been met before participating in the activity.
As part of your activity planning, be sure to pay particular attention to the following areas:
- When the volunteer-to-youth ratio or other safety parameters are stricter for a specific activity than in the Standard Safety Guidelines, always follow the stricter parameters given in the individual activity’s safety activity checkpoints.
- Verify instructor knowledge and experience: this section will list which certification or training is required of instructors or facilitators leading this activity.
- Note when an activity will require a Certificate of Insurance (COI) from the venue providing the activity.
- Where access and inclusion can be enhanced. See the Equity section in the document introduction, and any specific recommendations in activity sections.
- Emergency Action Plan (EAP). Review and document your Emergency Action Plan (EAP) before starting any activity and review it so all are prepared. Think through scenarios of what can go wrong such as an accident, physical injury, missing person, sudden illness, or sudden weather or water emergencies.
When in doubt, contact GSNI at CustomerCare@girlscoutsni.org for help and guidance in adhering to the safety standards set forth in Girl Scouts Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Visit the GSNI Camp, Programs, and Training Hub in Rallyhood for more safety information, documentation, and discussion.
Certificates of Insurance
When planning an event, there may be times where we need to obtain a Certificate of Insurance and have it on file 2 weeks prior to when your event is scheduled.
Please consult Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois’ Safety Activity Checkpoints to determine if the facility offering the activity your troop would like to do requires GSNI to have a copy of the facility’s Certificate of Insurance on file. Please consult our current Certificates of Insurance List to check if we already have a Certificate of Insurance on file for the organization you will be working with.
If the facility your troop is planning to use is listed, then you only need to complete the necessary GSNI Permission Slips, the facility’s waiver (if applicable), and the GSNI Troop Trip & Overnight Approval Form (if your field trip is further than 60 miles from your normal meeting space or any overnight event).
If the facility is not listed, the troop leader needs to request a Certificate of Insurance from the facility. To do this, simply call the facility and ask for a current Certificate of Insurance with GSNI listed as a Certificate Holder, including the information below:
Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois
1886 Daimler Road
Rockford, IL 61112
The certificate can be emailed to customercare@girlscoutsni.org with “Certificate of Insurance” in the subject line, or U.S. mailed to the above address, or faxed to 847-741-5667.
Requesting a COI From GSNI
If a facility is requesting a copy of Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois’ Certificate of Insurance, please use the following form. To minimize delays in the process, please complete the form with as much information as possible about the facility requesting a Certificate of Insurance.
After this form is submitted, please allow 2-3 weeks for processing. You can complete the submission form here.
