Travel Progression and Planning
Every Girl Scout deserves a chance to see the world—whether it be to explore within her own neighborhood, around the city, or on the other side of the planet. We know planning trips can be a lot of work, so we’ve created this article just for troop leaders that outlines travel progression, planning resources, and exciting travel opportunities for your troop or individual Girl Scout.
Trip and Travel Progression
Volunteers without any travel experience probably aren’t ready to shepherd a group of 12+ Girl Scouts through an airport. Likewise, not all Girl Scouts will approach travel with the same comfort level or ability to follow rules while away. Troop leaders, troop volunteers, and Girl Scouts need to start with small, local trips to work their way up to advanced, national or international travel.
Every group is different and has unique experiences, but the following outlines the standard trip and travel progression for Girl Scouts. For a quicker, visual reference, download our Trip and Travel Progression Chart (PDF).
Meeting-Time Trips 
Day Trips
Simple Overnights: 1-2 Nights
Extended Overnights and US Travel: 3 or More Nights
International Travel
Planning for Trips and Travel
Planning for trips and travel is an opportunity for Girl Scouts to develop decision-making skills and work collaboratively with leaders and troop volunteers. Just remember, all trips should have an immediate purpose (such as complementing badges or learning new skills) and involve Girl Scouts in the planning process.
Get Council Approval
Finance Your Adventure
Plan for Safety
Communicate to Families
Collect Permissions and Paperwork
Pre-Organized Trips
There are several sponsored travel opportunities through Girl Scouts River Valleys and Girl Scouts of the USA.
The Destinations program brings individual Girl Scouts from across the nation on adventures across the United States and the world. Destinations programs fall into the following categories: international, outdoors, S.T.E.M. and life skills.
Getaways are great for traveling with your troop and include a wide array of activities within the United States, such as Broadway shows, Girl Scout Jamborees, and national attractions.
Visit GirlScoutsRV.org/Travel to learn to more about these pre-organized trips.
Summary of Resources
- Trip and Travel Progression Chart (PDF) – A visual chart outlining the standard trip and travel progression for Girl Scouts.
- Camp.GirlScoutsRV.org/Rentals – Girl Scouts can rent any of our camp properties and facilities for troop use.
- Girl Scout Travel Request Form – This form is required for extended overnight trips, international trips, regional trips, trips with multiple troops, communities or areas, and high risk activities, and should be submitted at least six months prior to travel.
- Girl Scout Travel Approval Worksheet (PDF) – All troops planning a troop trip or travel should complete this form. For trips requiring council approval, this form should be submitted at least four weeks prior to travel.
- Sample Budget Worksheet and Financial Agreement (PDF) – This document will help you learn how much your trip will cost.
- Planning for Trip Safety Guide (PDF) – A detailed guide on planning girl supervision, training Girl Scouts on the buddy system, dressing for outdoors, and creating emergency plans.
- Health, Safety, and Using Safety Activity Checkpoints – This article outlines how to use Safety Activity Checkpoints.
- Sleeping Arrangement Guidelines (PDF) – This guide helps minimize any unwanted behavior or feelings around sleeping environments.
- Annual Parent/Guardian Permission Slip (PDF) – This form must be collected for basic trips that are less than a four hour drive, two nights or less, and not considered high-risk activities.
- Troop Activity Parent/Guardian Permission Slip (PDF) – Use this form for all trips where the Annual Parent/Guardian Permission Slip will not suffice.
- Medication Information Form (PDF) – Parents/guardians of Girl Scouts with medications must document medication information and give permission to dispense.
- Allergy and Anaphylaxis Action Plan (PDF) – Parents/guardians of Girl Scouts with allergies must documents allergy types.
- Sample Participant Behavior Contract (PDF) – This optional contract gives everyone a chance to collaborate on travel expectations.
- Approved Bus Companies – Find companies that meet the standards of Girl Scouts River Valleys for transporting Girl Scouts for trips, activities, and events.
- GirlScoutsRV.org/Travel – Learn about pre-arranged travel opportunities through Girl Scouts River Valleys and Girl Scouts of the USA.
- Cookie Credits, Fall FUNds, and Juliette Program Credit Reimbursement Form – Complete this reimbursement form when using Cookie Credits, Fall FUNds, or Juliet Program Credits for council-approved travel fees.
