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  1. Activity Zone
  2. Activities for Girl Scouts
  3. Travel

Travel

 girl scout on mountain overlook

Girl Scout Travel Opportunities

Are your girls interested in traveling as a troop? Travel is an important part of the Girl Scout experience and can help girls build valuable life skills, learn to work as a team, and create lifelong memories. Follow this Travel Progression Chart (updated January 2025) to see how girls can learn the skills they need to become competent travelers, including how to plan and organize trips. Travel fun can be endless when girls lead!

GSNI Field Trip and Travel Process

Troops, Service Units and Travel Groups at GSNI should complete the following steps when planning their field trips or travel experiences within the United States.

2.  Volunteers should complete all required training before field trips or traveling. 

3. Complete the Troop Trip Form for approval by GSNI within the timeframe required for your type of trip. 

4. Complete any action steps needed from council for approval. 

5. Have parents and participants complete all requirement paperwork for the Trip Lead to have while on the trip. 

Begin planning your trip! toggle arrow

As your girls begin discussing travel together, please check out these helpful tools for girls and volunteers to use when planning a trip.

GSNI Troop Trip Travel and Overnight Qualifcation Guide: A resource from GSNI listing out requirements for different types of trips being planned.

GSUSA Guide to U.S. Travel: A resource designed to assist with regional or national trips targeting Junior and Cadette troops. Are your girls ready to travel? Check out the quizzes for girls and leaders!

GSUSA Guide to Global Travel: A resource designed to assist with international trips targeting Senior and Ambassador troops.

Safety Activity Checkpoints: A resource that provides safety standards and guidelines for Girl Scouts of the United States of America-approved activities.

Complete required training toggle arrow

All adults who are going on a trip as a chaperone or drive needs to complete the following training:

415 Girl Scout Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Training

At least one troop volunteer must have a Adult and Pediatric First Aid, CPR and AED Certification on file with GSNI in gsLearn. To find a class, check out our Activities Calendar.

At least one troop volunteer (different from the First Aider for the trip) must have the following depending the the type of trip you are going on (please refer to the GSNI Troop Trip Travel and Overnight Qualification Guide for details)

415 Beyond the Troop Meeting - Beyond the Troop Meeting Guide
415 Lodge Training
415 Outdoor Overnight Training

For trips that are 30 minutes away from EMS or a hospital, at least one person should be an advance First Aider (medical professional) or be Wilderness First Aid certified. 

Troop Trip and Overnight Form for Domestic Travel and Overnights toggle arrow

This form is for non council-owned or non-council-sponsored sites in the contential United States only. 

All travel procedures and preparations must ensure adequate supervision and maximum safety according to the Safety Activity Checkpoints online at www.girlscoutsni.org. For qualifications on trip approvals, please review the Troop Trip and Overnight Guidelines.

A current Certificate of Insurance must be on file at Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois (GSNI), for places of high risk, which includes overnight lodging/hotel stays, aquatic activities, high adventure, amusement parks, animal/equestrian activities, sports activities, and activities in which youth can be easily injured.

Questions regarding Troop Trip & Overnights should be directed to the GSNI Program Team at customercare@girlscoutsni.org. Please note - timeline for applications apply.

Field trips more than 60+ miles away from troop meeting home base or single night indoor overnights - forms must be completed 30 days in advance

For overnights lasting 2 or more nights, or camping in outdoor venues - forms must be completed 3 months in advance

Troop Number

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Service Unit Name or Number

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Girl Scout Program Level

Girl Scout Program Level

Troop Leader/Group Leader Submitting Form

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Phone number for Troop/Group Leader

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Email for Troop/Group Leader

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Address of Troop/Group Leader

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Trip Destination Name

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Trip Destination Address

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Date of Departure

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Date of Return

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Number of Youth Participants Attending

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Full Names of Girl Scout Volunteers Attending

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Name of Attending Adult and Pediatric First Aid, CPR and AED certified volunteer. Must be a different volunteer than the Indoor and/or Outdoor Overnight trained volunteer. 

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Name of Attending GSNI Lodge or Indoor Overnight Trained volunteer and completion date. Must be different than the Adult and Pediatric First Aid, CPR and AED certified volunteer. 

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Name of Attending GSNI Outdoor Overnight Camp Trained Volunteer and Completion Date. Must be different than the Adult and Pediatric First Aid, CPR, and AED certified volunteer. 

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Are you planning on taking part in money-earning activities to help offset the cost of your trip? 

Note: Holding a money-earning activity requires the completion of a separate Monday-Earning Activity Application. Money- Earning Applications must be submitted to your Membership Engagement Specialist no later than one month prior to the date of the money-earning activitiy is to be held. 

Are you planning on taking part in money-earning activities to help offset the cost of your trip?

Please provide an emergency contact person for your troop who is NOT attending the trip/overnight. 

Please include phone number and contact information. 

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What type of transportation will you be using during the trip?

What type of Overnight Accommodation will you be using?

Please provide name of venue for overnight accomodation. 

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Trip Itinerary- Please include all informaiton on the departure, schedules, side trips, activities, rest periods, accommodation, and return plan from trip. 

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Have you reviewed the Safety Activity Checkpoints for any activities you may be participating in that needs prior GSNI approval?

What activities will you be participating in that requires additional Council Approval and a Certificate of Insurance?

Note: to save time in obtaining a Certificate of Insurance, we strongly encourage requesting a COI from youractivity venue while making lodging reservations or purchasing tickets. Information on requesting a COI from other venues can be found on the Event Calendar page. Certificate of Insurance for Outside Facilities and Activities COIs are needed for all lodging/campground venues and high risk activities including aquatics, horsebackriding, climbing and high adventure, target sports, and amusement parks.

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We are familiar with the policies/procedures pertaining to the Girl Scout Travel/activities listed and have made our plans accordingly.

Travel Preparation and Forms toggle arrow

Permission Slips

Annual Permission Slip

Activities Sign-Up Sheet

Girl Scout Permission Slip

Permission to Travel for Minors - Domestic Travel

Permission to Travel for Minors - International Travel

Youth Bed Sharing Form

Resources

GSNI Emergency Cards

GSNI Por Favor, lleve en su cartera

How to Open a Travel Account

GSUSA Resources 

Travel Progression Chart

Safety Activity Check Points for Travel

Travel Forms

Authorization for Medical Treatment for Youth

Authorization for Medical Treatment for Adult

Code of Conduct for Travel: Youth

Code of Conduct for Travel: Adult

Domestic Travel Health History for Youth

Domestic Travel Health History for Adult

International Travel Health History - Youth

International Travel Health History - Adult

Travel Medical Exam Form - Youth

Travel Medical Exam Form - Adult

 

Travel Opportunities & Progression

Topics toggle arrow
  • 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

GSNI Council Sponsored Trips toggle arrow

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

Future GSNI Travel Plans

National Council Session and Convention

Girl Scouts of the USA is in the planning stages for the 58th National Council Session (NCS). The dates will be July 20-25, 2026 in Washington DC. More news to come! 

 

Girl Scout Guide to U.S. Travel toggle arrow

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 toggle arrow

Girl Scout Destinations are the ultimate adventure for individual girls ages 11 and older! (For troop opportunities, check out  GSUSA's Group Travel Page). 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. 

Financial Assistance for Travel toggle arrow

During your Girl Scout - 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. 

  • Money Earning Application for troops and youth interested in hosting additional money-earning events for travel expenses.

Looking for assistance funding your trip? Here are some financial assistance resources for GSNI.

  • GSNI Financial Assistance for Travel (paper form)
  • GSNI Travel Financial Assistance for Travel (web form)
  • GSNI D-Pass (paper form) for Girl Scouts of the USA Destination trips.

Understanding Cultures

Girls are exposed to cultures that are different from their own, increasing awareness, acceptance, and appreciation.
  • Family customs and holiday traditions
  • Languages
  • Clothing and personal image
  • Important symbols
  • World religions
  • Ethnic foods
  • and many more!

Global Issues

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

  • Girls’/women’s issues
  • Education
  • Health care
  • Poverty
  • Gender-based violence
  • and many more

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.

Resources
Forms
Safety Activity Checkpoints Annual Permission Slip*
For things you cannot do, please refer to the Safety Activity Checkpoints pages 14-16. Activities Sign-Up Sheet*
Chaperone Agreement Form Acitivities Permission Slip*

GSNI Emergency Cards

GSNI Emergency Cards in Spanish

Code of Conduct for Travel:
Youth Participants | Adult Chaperones
  Certificate of Insurance
  Youth Bed Sharing Form

Travel Resources

Intent to Travel Permission Forms:

Overnight or Local Travel Approval International Travel Approval
Troop Trip Travel and Overnight Qualification Sheet Intent to Plan International Troop Travel (Microsoft Form)
  International Trip Itinerary Form
   

General Travel Resources. More forms and resources coming soon! 

 Resources Forms
Travel Progression Chart Travel Account ACH Agreement
Safety Activity Checkpoints for Travel Travel Troop/Group Finanical Report
How to Open a Travel Checking Account  Authorization for Medical Treatment for
Youth | Adults
  Domestic Travel Health Histories for 
Youth | Adults
(Covers troop trips, field trips, troop campouts, and camporees)
  International Travel Health Histories for 
Youth | Adults
  Permission to Travel as Minors:
Domestic Travel | International Travel
  Travel Medical Exam Forms
Youth | Adults
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