side menu icon
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!

As a Girl Scout, you’re automatically a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), which means you can visit the WAGGGS World Centers. These five incredible destinations—created just for Girl Scouts like you—are fun, affordable, and safe places to stay while you broaden your horizons and make new friends. World Centers have special packages and programs throughout the year. Join an exciting program and connect with young people from around the globe.

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. Full travel progression information is available in Safety Activity Checkpoints.

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:
 Due 1 month before a day trip: Activity Approval Form  (if applicable; please review Safety Activity Checkpoints for activities requiring council approval.)

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 night)

For Daisies*, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors
An overnight trip of one night away can be to a state or national park, historic city, or nearby city for sightseeing, staying in a hotel, motel, or campground, with the exception of Daisies. 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:

Due 1 month before departure date -

  • Activity Approval Form (if applicable; please review Safety Activity Checkpoints for activities requiring council approval)

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 (2 nights)

For Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors
An overnight trip of two nights away can be to a state or national park, historic 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.

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 programs@gsutah.org:

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 programs@gsutah.org:

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 programs@gsutah.org:

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 programs@gsutah.org:

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):

Travel for Girl Scout Alums

Girl Scout travel opportunities aren’t just for youth members! Connect with your Girl Scout sisters and experience the world while snorkeling in the Galapagos or riding a camel through the deserts of Morocco. Club Adventures has partnered with GSUSA to offer these exclusive group travel options.

If you’ve recently graduated and aren’t ready for the fun to stop, consider applying to volunteer or be an intern at one of the WAGGGS World Centres. There are options for as short as one week and as long as 6 months. Each centre offers unique experiences and will give you a chance to work with GIrl Guides and Girl Scouts from around the world. 

Council-Led Trips

Girls can experience unique high adventure activities led by GSU's camp staff. Trips occur throughout the year and include rock climbing, stand up paddleboarding, winter camping, overnight canoe trips, and more!

Check out our Activity Calendar for upcoming events!


Travel Tips + FAQ's
Travel Tips
What does GSU accept as proof of First Aid/CPR certification?
When and why do I need a WFA certification?
What is a Certificate of Insurance and when do I need it?
What happens if my trip is not approved?
How can I turn in Activity Credits for my troop trip?
What about Activity Credits used for EF Tours?
Do I need to turn in a Driver Form for each trip of 2+ nights?
When are the Physical Exam and Health History & Consent Form required?