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Troop leader and girl high giving

Safety in Girl Scouting

In Girl Scouting, the emotional and physical safety and well-being of girls is our top priority. Safety Activity Checkpoints (SAC) outlines the safety standards and guidelines used in Girl Scouting, which apply to all Girl Scout activities. 

All volunteers should review the 2020-2021 Safety Activity Checkpoints manual when planning activities with girls in order to manage safety and risk in at Girl Scout-sanctioned activities. 

The 2020-2021 Safety Activity Checkpoints, you'll find:

  • Girl Scout Activity Safety standards and guidelines with requirements for adult supervision, permission slips, preparation, field trips and overnight trips, and other vital information 
  • Activities that are not permitted by GSUSA, and actions that girls and volunteers should not take
  • Policies surrounding chartered aircraft trips and aviation
  • First-aid and overall health information you’ll need from the girls
  • Standards for well-being and inclusivity, including working with girls with disabilities and ensuring emotional safety
  • A breakdown of specific activities—such as camping, internet use, and water sports—and their individual safety checkpoints 

The Activities-at-a-Glance Chart

This chart details two critical points to keep in mind:

  • Age-appropriate activities and participation by grade level
  • Whether prior approval from your council is required before girls participate in a specific activity
Knowing How Many Approved Adult Volunteers You Need

From camping weekends to cookie booths, approved adult volunteers* must always be present to ensure their girls have fun and stay safe, no matter their grade level.

Not sure just how many approved adult volunteers* you’ll need for your activity? The following chart breaks down the minimum number of volunteers needed to supervise a specific number of girls; councils may also establish maximums due to size or cost restrictions.

Safety Ratio Grid
Knowing How Many Adult Volunteers You Need

From camping weekends to cookie booths, adult volunteers must always be present to ensure their girls have fun and stay safe, no matter their grade level. 

Not sure just how many adults you’ll need for your activity? The helpful chart below breaks down the minimum number of volunteers needed to supervise a specific number of girls; councils may also establish maximums due to size or cost restrictions, so be sure to check with them as you plan your activity. 

How Many Approved Adult Volunteers You Need
Table showing number of volunteers needed for group meetings, for events, etc based on grade level.

* With a current eligible criminal background check on file. Troop leaders can view on the Troops tab of MyGS which adults are members, who have a volunteer role and the expiration date of their criminal background check (CBC). The term ‟Adult Member” indicates the adult is a member of Girl Scouts however, it does not imply the person is a Girl Scout volunteer. 

Adult volunteers driving girls other than their own child must be at least age 21 and complete a Driver Authorization Form.