Creating a Safe Space for Girl Scouts

A safe space is where all Girl Scouts feel that they can be themselves, without explanation or judgment. As a volunteer, the environment you help foster is just as important as the activities Girl Scouts do—it’s the key to developing the sort of group they want to be a part of! Cultivate a space where confidentiality is respected and Girl Scouts can express their true selves.

Child Abuse & Youth Protection toggle arrow

Child abuse is a crime. Utah law requires the reporting of suspected child abuse. Therefore, if you witness or suspect that a girl member has been or is the subject of abuse or neglect, whether inside or outside of Girl Scouting, follow the council’s guidelines for reporting your concerns to the proper agency within your state.

Refer to the Girl Scouts of Utah Youth Protection Addendum found in the Youth Protection Training on gsLearn for detailed information and processes surrounding the report of child abuse or neglect.

Girl Scouts of Utah requires all volunteer to take Youth Protection Training once every three (3) years. This training is available online via the gsLearn platform.

Recognize and Support Each Girl Scout toggle arrow

You're a role model and a mentor to your Girl Scouts. Since you play an important role in their lives, they need to know that you consider each of them an important person, too. It’s likely they’ll weather an ill-equipped meeting place or an activity that flops—but being ignored or rejected by their troop leader is something they should never have to experience.

Remember to:

Give shout-outs when you see Girl Scouts trying their best, not just when they’ve had clear success.

Emphasize the positive qualities that make each Girl Scout worthy and unique.

Be generous with praise—but not with criticism.

Help Girl Scouts find ways to show acceptance of and support for one another.

Promote Fairness toggle arrow

In a Girl Scout troop, fairness is fostered by sharing responsibilities, addressing disagreements constructively, and responding consistently to accomplishments. When you model this commitment, it makes the inevitable mistakes easier to forgive. When possible, ask your group what they think is fair before decisions are made.

Remember to:

Try to ensure responsibilities as well as chances for feeling important are evenly divided among troop members.

Help Girl Scouts explore and decide for themselves fair ways of solving problems, carrying out activities, and responding to behaviors and accomplishments.

Explain your reasoning for making certain decisions.

Be willing to apologize as needed.

Build Trust toggle arrow

Girl Scouts need your support when they try new things, and you’ll need to demonstrate that you won’t betray their confidence. Show them you’re making an effort to understand them as individuals.

Inspire them to think for themselves and use their own judgment.

Encourage them to make important decisions in the group and assure them that all troop members have an equal say.

Offer them assistance in correcting/addressing their mistakes.

Support them in trusting one another—let them see firsthand how trust can be built, lost, regained, and strengthened.

Inspire Open Communication toggle arrow

Promote open communication by listening and responding positively to what your Girl Scouts think, feel, and want to do. They’ll appreciate having someone they can talk to about the important things happening in their lives.

Speak your mind when you’re happy or concerned about something, and encourage Girl Scouts to do the same.

Leave the door open for Girl Scouts to seek advice, share ideas, and propose plans or improvements.

Help them see how open communication can promote helpful action, discovery, a better understanding of self and others, and an atmosphere that fuels fun and accomplishment.

Manage Conflict toggle arrow

Conflicts and disagreements are an inevitable part of life, and if handled constructively they show Girl Scouts they can manage differences of opinion, exercise diplomacy, and improve their communication and relationships. Respecting others and being a sister to every Girl Scout means that shouting, verbal abuse, or physical confrontations are never warranted and cannot be tolerated in the Girl Scout environment.

When a conflict arises in your troop, try to get those involved to sit down together and talk calmly in a nonjudgmental manner, keeping in mind that each party may need some time—perhaps a few days or a week—to settle first. Explain to Girl Scouts that communicating in this way might feel uncomfortable and difficult in the moment, but it lays the groundwork for working well together in the future.

Whatever you do, don’t spread word of the conflict, as this won’t help the situation and may cause Girl Scouts embarrassment or anger.

If a conflict persists, be sure you explain the matter to your volunteer support team. If the supervisor can’t resolve the issue satisfactorily (or if the problem involves the supervisor), it can be taken to the next supervisory level and, ultimately, to your council if you need additional help.

Communicate Effectively with Girl Scouts of Any Age toggle arrow

Make sure your words and actions nurture connection among members. Keep in mind how important the following approaches are.

Listen. Listening to Girl Scouts, as opposed to telling them what to think, feel, or do (no “you should”) is the first step in building a trusting relationship and helping them take ownership of their Girl Scout experience.

Be honest. If you’re not comfortable with a topic or activity, it’s okay to say so. No one expects you to be an expert on every topic. Ask for alternatives or seek out volunteers with the required expertise. Also, owning up to mistakes—and apologizing for them—goes a long way.

Be open to real issues. Outside of Girl Scouts, members may be dealing with issues involving relationships, peer pressure, school, money, drugs, and other serious topics. When you don’t know, listen. And seek help from your council if you need assistance or more information than you currently have.

Show respect. Girl Scouts often say that their best experiences were the ones where adults treated them as equal partners. Speak to them respectfully to reinforce that their opinions matter and that they deserve respect.

Offer options. Members’ needs and interests change; being flexible shows them you respect them and their busy lives. Be ready with age-appropriate guidance and parameters no matter what Girl Scouts choose to do.

Stay current. Show members you’re interested in their world by asking them about the TV shows and movies they like; the books, magazines, or blogs they read; the social media influencers they follow; and the music they listen to.

Address the Needs of Older Girl Scouts toggle arrow

Let these simple tips guide you when working with teenage Girl Scouts:

Think of yourself as a “guide on the side”—a partner, a coach, or a mentor, not a “leader.”
Ask them what rules they need for safety and what group agreements they need to be a good team. When they take the lead in establishing group rules, they’re more likely to stick to them.
Understand that they need time to talk, unwind, and have fun together.
Ask what they think and what they want to do.
Encourage them to speak their minds.
Provide structure, but don’t micromanage.
Give everyone a voice in the group—understanding that “speaking up” may look different for each person. For some, it might mean sharing their ideas in front of the entire group; for others it could mean submitting a written response or contributing as part of a group.
Treat them like partners.
Don’t repeat what’s said in the group to anyone outside of it (unless necessary for their safety). See “Report Concerns” below to understand the guard rails.

Be Prepared for Sensitive Topics toggle arrow

It’s an amazing feeling when your Girl Scouts put their trust in you. When they do, they may come to you with some of the issues they’re facing, such as bullying, peer pressure, dating, athletic and academic performance, understanding their own identity, and more. Some of these issues might be considered sensitive by families who may have opinions or input about how, and whether, Girl Scouts should cover these topics with their troop.

Girl Scouts welcomes and serves youth and families from a wide spectrum of faiths and cultures. When members make clear that they want to participate in discussions or activities that could be considered sensitive—even just for some—put the topic on hold until you’ve spoken with a parent/caregiver of the members and received guidance from your council.

When Girl Scout activities involve sensitive issues, your role is that of a caring adult volunteer who can help them acquire skills and knowledge in a supportive atmosphere, not someone who advocates a particular position.

Know that Girl Scouts of the USA does not take a position or develop materials on issues relating to human sexuality, birth control, or abortion. We feel our role is to help Girl Scouts develop self-confidence and good decision-making skills that will help them make wise choices in all areas of their lives. We believe parents and caregivers, along with schools and faith communities, are the primary sources of information on these topics.

Parents/caregivers make all decisions regarding their child’s participation in Girl Scout programming that may be of a sensitive nature. As a volunteer leader, you must get written parental permission for any locally planned program offering that could be considered sensitive. Included on the permission form should be the topic of the activity, any specific content that might create controversy, and any action steps the Girl Scouts will take when the activity is complete. Be sure to have a form for each troop member and keep the forms on hand in case a problem arises. For activities not sponsored by Girl Scouts, find out in advance (from organizers or other volunteers who may be familiar with the content) what will be presented, and follow your council’s guidelines for obtaining written permission.

We at Girl Scouts of Utah request that when discussing these sensitive issues please talk with caregivers before hand and use the Sensitive Issues Permission Form (PDF)

Report Concerns toggle arrow

There may be times when you worry about the health and well-being of individuals in your group. Alcohol, drugs, sex, bullying, abuse, depression, and eating disorders are some of the issues they may encounter. You are on the frontlines of their lives which places you in a unique position to identify a situation in which Girl Scouts may need help. If you believe someone is at risk of hurting themself or others, your role is to promptly bring that information to the parent/caregiver or the council so the Girl Scout can get the expert assistance they need. Your concern about their well-being and safety is taken seriously and your council will guide you in addressing these concerns.

Here are a few signs that could indicate someone needs expert help:

Marked changes in behavior or personality (for example, unusual moodiness, aggressiveness, or sensitivity).
Declining academic performance and/or inability to concentrate.
Withdrawal from school, family activities, or friendships.
Fatigue, apathy, or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
Sleep disturbances.
Increased secretiveness.
Deterioration in appearance and personal hygiene.
Eating extremes, unexplained weight loss, distorted body image/efforts to hide their body.
Tendency toward perfectionism (i.e. mistakes are considered unacceptable, unwillingness to start or try something for fear of failure, belief there is only one way to do something).
Giving away prized possessions; preoccupation with the subject of death.
Unexplained injuries such as bruises, burns, or fractures.
Avoidance of eye contact or physical contact.
Excessive fearfulness or distrust of adults.
Abusive behavior toward other children, especially younger ones, or animals.

Share your concern with the girl’s family, if this is feasible.

If You need to Report Abuse

Caregivers, volunteers, and/or staff members who witness or suspect signs of abuse are required by law to:

Contact local law enforcement OR
Contact Utah Department of Human Services (Child and Family Services) at 1-855-323-3237

Notify GSU that a report has been filed. The best way to do this is to complete an incident report and submit it to GSU via info@gsutah.org.

Activity Approvals

Previously known as High Adventure Approvals, Activity Approvals relate to activities that require council approval. Troops can lead the activity themselves or book with outfitters.

Opportunities such as horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and ziplining can be approved if an outfitter meets GSUSA’s Safety Activity Checkpoints and insurance requirements; check the latest version of Safety Activity Checkpoints to see if your activity needs approval.

Complete the Activity Approval survey with the activity and company information to begin the approval process for a new outfitter; keep in mind it can take 4-6 weeks to approve new vendors. Council staff will reach out with questions, approval status, and offer alternatives, if applicable.

For previously approved vendors and activity ideas, see our Outfitter Reference List (Google Drive PDF). Troop Leaders must still go through the Activity Approval process to participate in activities run by these organizations.

Council-led trips also offer a unique experience for girls to try activities like rock climbing, stand up paddleboarding, and winter camping. Search the Activity Calendar for upcoming adventures.

© Copyright 2009–2026 Girl Scouts of the United States of America.  All rights reserved. All information and material contained in Girl Scouts’ Volunteer Essentials guide (“Material”) is provided by Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) and is intended to be educational material solely to be used by Girl Scout volunteers and council staff. Reproduction, distribution, compiling, or creating derivative works of any portion of the Material or any use other than noncommercial uses as permitted by copyright law is prohibited, unless explicit, prior authorization by GSUSA in writing was granted. GSUSA reserves its exclusive right in its sole discretion to alter, limit, or discontinue the Material at any time without notice.