Safety
The emotional and physical safety and well-being of Girl Scouts is our top priority. Safety Activity Checkpoints outlines the Safety Standards and Guidelines used in Girl Scouting, which apply to all Girl Scout activities.
For current COVID-19 guidelines, check your local council’s version of Safety Activity Checkpoints.
All volunteers should review the Safety Activity Checkpoints manual when planning activities with girls in order to manage safety and risk in Girl Scout-sanctioned activities.
In Safety Activity Checkpoints, you’ll find:
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Girl Scout Activity Safety Standards and Guidelines with requirements for adult supervision, permission slips, preparation, field trips and overnight trips, and other vital information
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Activities that are not permitted by Girl Scouts of the USA and actions that girls and volunteers should not take
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Policies surrounding chartered aircraft trips and aviation
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First-aid and overall health information you’ll need from the girls
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Standards for well-being and inclusivity, including working with Girl Scouts with disabilities and ensuring emotional safety
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A breakdown of specific activities—such as camping, internet use, and water sports—and their individual safety checkpoints
Following the Safety Standards and Guidelines is an Activity-at-a-Glance chart which details two critical points to keep in mind:
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Age-appropriate activities and participation by grade level
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Whether prior approval from your council is required before girls participate in a specific activity
Knowing How Many Volunteers You Need
From camping weekends to
cookie booths, adult volunteers must always be present to ensure
their Girl Scouts have fun and stay safe, no matter their grade level.
Not sure just how many adults you’ll need for your activity? The following chart breaks down the minimum number of volunteers needed to supervise a specific number of Girl Scouts; councils may also establish maximums due to size or cost restrictions, so be sure to check with them as you plan your activity.
© Copyright 2009–2021 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.
