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 Girl Scouts. GSU Activity Credits may not be redeemed by Juniors for an extended overnight trip.
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
- New Troop Leader Training
- Planning Trips with Girl Scouts
- Planning Extended and Overnight Trips
- Camping 101 (only required if camping)
- First Aid/CPR certification (online only is not accepted; must include an in-person skills check)
- Wilderness and Remote First Aid certification is required if more than 30 minutes from emergency services
Visit the Trips and Travel and Camping and the Outdoors dropdowns on the Volunteer Training page for more information.
Trainings for this type of trip must be completed at least six months prior to the trip.
Preparation
- Contact Service Unit Manager and inform them of the trip at least 2 weeks prior to departure date
- Review relevant Safety Activity Checkpoints
- Review Volunteer Policies (PDF) travel section
- Verify that all youth have a current Girl Scout membership
- Verify that all adults have a current Girl Scout membership, an eligible criminal background check on file, and are current on their youth protection training.
- Complete the Preparing For Travel in a COVID Environment Checklist and discuss with your troop
Required documents to submit to GSU
Check out Travel Resources for travel-specific items; use the document search for other items.
Due at least 2 months before departure date -
- Troop Trip/Camping Application
A GSU Program Specialist will reach out to confirm the application has been received. Please submit any additional documents directly to that Program Specialist in order for your trip to be approved.
- Activity Approval Form (if applicable; please review Safety Activity Checkpoints for activities requiring council approval)
Due 1 month before departure date -
- Extra Insurance Enrollment Form Plan 3P (optional, but highly recommended for trips of longer length or farther distance)
- Driver form (required for trips of 2 nights or more for each driver)
- Proof of First Aid/CPR certification (online-only not accepted; must include in-person skills check)
- Certificates of Insurance (required for certain lodging and most high adventure activities)
- Trip Action Plan
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:
- Parent/Guardian Permission Form
- Physical Exam Form (required for Girl Scouts and adults for any activity lasting 3 consecutive nights or more; must be completed within 24 months of travel)
- Health History and Consent Form (required for Girl Scouts and adults for any activity lasting 3 consecutive nights or more, must be completed within 12 months of travel)
- Medication Log
- Trip Action Plan
- Sensitive Issues Parent/Guardian Permission Request (if applicable)
- Accident Report Form (just in case)
- Emergency Information Card (just in case)