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Girl Scout Travel

Travel

Girl Scouts love to travel—from the field trips they take as Brownies to the global adventures they go on as teens. If you love exploring different places and cultures, then Girl Scouts is the place for you.

You can experience all that our country has to offer, whether you’re “blasting off” at Space Camp in Alabama, taking in a Broadway show in New York City, or visiting the birthplace of Girl Scouts’ founder, Juliette Gordon Low, in Savannah, Georgia. And you can plan even bigger adventures around the world, traveling with other Girl Scouts who share your love of adventure.

Girl Scout Destinations

Check out Girl Scout Destinations, the ultimate adventure program for girls ages 11 and older. With a ton of different trips to apply for every year—from surfing camp on the east coast and breathtaking hikes out west, to the crazy-cool wonder of new cultures abroad—there’s something amazing for everyone to experience.

Make friends from all over the country as you travel with Girl Scouts from different states, see and learn new things, and pack your bags full of inspiring, life-changing experiences and memories. Find your trip today!

Troop Trips

Everything in Girl Scouts is about progression. The opportunity to travel is made available to girls as they get older and progress through Girl Scouts. Girls start with day trips and can eventually take international trips. See below for requirements for each step in the travel progression.

Travel within the state of Utah and United States is allowed, when COVID guidelines are followed and precautions are adhered to. If you are traveling out of the state of Utah, troops are expected to research that states’ restrictions and plan to meet all safety requirements.

Day Trips

For Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors
A day trip might be an all-day visit to a point of historical or natural interest (bringing their own lunch) or a day-long trip to a nearby city (stopping at a restaurant for a meal). Younger girls can select locations and do much of the trip planning, while never being too far from home.

Required troop leader training/certification:

Preparation:

  • Contact Service Unit Manager and inform them of the day trip
  • Review relevant Safety Activity Checkpoints
  • Review Volunteer Policies travel section
  • Verify that all girls have a current Girl Scout membership
  • Verify that all adults have a current Girl Scout membership and eligible criminal background check on file

Required documents to submit to council:
 Due 1 month before a day trip: High Adventure Approval Form  (if applicable)

Documents to be collected by troop leader and carried with them at all times during travel (leave backup copies at home with a troop supporter):

Overnight Trips (1-2 nights)

For Daisies*, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors
An overnight trip is one to two nights (with the exception of Daisies as explained below) away to a state or national park, historic city, or nearby city for sightseeing, staying in a hotel, motel, or campground. For Brownies, these short trips are just long enough to experience overnight trips with their troop, but not so long as to generate homesickness.

*At Girl Scouts of Utah, Daisies may participate in travel and camping experiences of one night or less when all of the following conditions are met:

  • Girl has completed Kindergarten
  • Location for overnight experience is within 60 miles of home and is within GSU boundaries
  • Adult volunteer to girl ratios are followed
  • Girl has followed a travel and camping progression by successfully completing a field trip and day trip prior to participating in an overnight experience
  • Girl demonstrates emotional and physical maturity consistent with the activity

Required troop leader training/certification:

Preparation:

  • Contact Service Unit Manager and inform them of the trip
  • Review relevant Safety Activity Checkpoints 
  • Review Volunteer Policies travel section
  • Verify that all girls have a current Girl Scout membership
  • Verify that all adults have a current Girl Scout membership and eligible criminal background check on file

Required documents to submit to council:

Due 2 months before departure date - 

Due 1 month before departure date -

Documents to be collected by troop leader and carried with them at all times during travel (leave backup copies at home with a troop supporter):

Extended Overnight Trips (3-4 nights)

For Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors
An extended overnight trip is three or four nights camping or a stay in a hotel, motel, or hostel within the Mountain West Region (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming). Planning a trip to a large museum— many offer unique opportunities for girls to actually spend the night on museum grounds— makes for an exciting experience for girls. GSU Activity Credits may not be redeemed by Juniors for an extended overnight trip. 

Everything in Girl Scouts is about progression. The opportunity to travel is made available to girls as they get older and progress through Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts of Utah requires that Extended Overnight Trips, National Trips, and International Trips are taken in sequential order to ensure adequate travel experience. This means that when a group/troop decides to take an International Trip, they must have prior experience traveling as a group within the United States before their travel application will be approved by the council.

Required troop leader training/certification:

Preparation:

  • Contact Service Unit Manager and inform them of the trip
  • Review relevant Safety Activity Checkpoints 
  • Review Volunteer Policies travel section
  • Verify that all girls have a current Girl Scout membership
  • Verify that all adults have a current Girl Scout membership and eligible criminal background check on file

Required documents to submit to council:

Due at least 2 months before departure date - 

Due 1 month before departure date -

Documents to be collected by troop leader and carried with them at all times during travel (leave backup copies at home with a troop supporter):

National Trips (3+ nights)

For Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors
A national trip is travel anywhere in the country, three nights or more (often lasting a week or more). Try to steer clear of trips girls might take with their families and consider those that offer some educational and/or community service/Take Action component. This can incorporate some incredible cities, historic sites, and museums around the country. GSU Activity Credits can be redeemed by Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors for national trips of three nights or more.

Everything in Girl Scouts is about progression. The opportunity to travel is made available to girls as they get older and progress through Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts of Utah requires that Extended Overnight Trips, National Trips, and International Trips are taken in sequential order to ensure adequate travel experience. This means that when a group/troop decides to take an International Trip, they must have prior experience traveling as a group within the United States before their travel application will be approved by the council.

Required troop leader training/certification:

Preparation:

  • Contact Service Unit Manager and inform them of the trip
  • Review relevant Safety Activity Checkpoints 
  • Review Volunteer Policies travel section
  • Verify that all girls have a current Girl Scout membership
  • Verify that all adults have a current Girl Scout membership and eligible criminal background check on file

Required documents to submit to council:

Due at least 2 months before departure date - 

Due 1 month before departure date -

Documents to be collected by troop leader and carried with them at all times during travel (leave backup copies at home with a troop supporter):

International Trips

For Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors
An international trip is travel around the world, requiring 1 and a half to 2 years of preparation. GSU Activity Credits can be redeemed by Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors for trips of three nights or more.

Everything in Girl Scouts is about progression. The opportunity to travel is made available to girls as they get older and progress through Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts of Utah requires that Extended Overnight Trips, National Trips, and International Trips are taken in sequential order to ensure adequate travel experience. This means that when a group/troop decides to take an International Trip, they must have prior experience traveling as a group within the United States before their travel application will be approved by the council.

Required troop leader training/certification:

Preparation:

  • Contact Service Unit Manager and inform them of the trip
  • Review relevant Safety Activity Checkpoints 
  • Review Volunteer Policies travel section
  • Verify that all girls have a current Girl Scout membership
  • Verify that all adults have a current Girl Scout membership and eligible criminal background check on file

Required documents to submit to council:

Due at least 6 months before departure date - 

Due 1 month before departure date -

Documents to be collected by troop leader and carried with them at all times during travel (leave backup copies at home with a troop supporter):