Troop Trips & Field Trips
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Your troop’s trip can be a field trip to the nearest fire station, a trip to Yellowstone Park, or even a trip to Rome.
Wherever your trip takes you, GSMW will help provide a safe and memorable experience through our online Troop Trip & High Risk Activity Request process.
- Complete the required Troop Travel Training.
- Review the Troop Travel Progression chart.
- Plan your activities using our Safety Activity Checkpoints.
- Submit the required forms to GSMW and be sure you leave enough time for the approval process.
Troop Travel Required Training 
GSMW’s Troop Travel Training
GSMW’s Troop Travel Training is available in gsLearn and is a required training for volunteers wishing to lead their Girl Scouts on field trips, troop trips, or high risk activities. Before you submit a Troop Trip & High Risk Activity Request form, please login to gsLearn and complete the training. GSMW requires one traveling adult volunteer complete the training before their troop travels.
The gsLearn training course includes a myriad references and resources you need to prepare, plan and implement your field trip, travel experience, or high risk activity. Continue to check the course’s references page to ensure you have the resources you need as your girls progress through Girl Scout travel.
Do you have questions about how to access gsLearn? Check out the My Account Tip Sheet: gsLearn for more information.
Troop Travel Progression
Are you wondering what your troop is ready for?
- Start by looking at the Guide to U.S. Travel.
- Your next step might be checking out pages 8-11 in the Adult Guide to Girl Scout Global Travel.
- Encourage your girls’ pursuit of travel by asking them about their travel dreams and goals.
View the Travel Progression Chart for more details.
Field Trips & Domestic Travel
Field Trips & Domestic Travel
Make sure you have taken the gsLearn Troop Travel Training and that you have reviewed the Safety Activity Checkpoints (SACs) for all activities. Once training is complete, please submit the required form below. The form you complete is based on your trip plans and your review of the Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Review Important Resources
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS & HELPFUL LINKS
PREPARE YOUR SUBMISSION
Submit Required Forms
FOR FIELD TRIPS, HIGH RISK ACTIVITIES REQUIRING APPROVAL, OVERNIGHTS, AND OUT OF COUNCIL TRAVEL
Troop Trip & High Risk Activity Request Form
This form is required. Please carefully read the first
page of the troop trip request form.
MUST SUBMIT AT LEAST 2 WEEKS BEFORE TRIP
FOR DAY TRIPS AND ACTIVITIES THAT DO NOT
REQUIRE COUNCIL APPROVAL
Troop Trip Notification Form
This form is required when a troop meets outside
their regular troop meeting time/place.
International Trips
International Trips
Make sure you have taken the gsLearn Troop Travel Training and that you have reviewed the Safety Activity Checkpoints (SACs) for all activities. Once training is complete, please submit the required forms below.
Review Important Resources
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS & HELPFUL LINKS
PREPARE YOUR SUBMISSION
Submit Required Forms
Online Intent for International Travel Form
It is required to submit this form before your scheduled international trip. Council is happy to help in the trip planning process as early as two years before your trip.
MUST SUBMIT AT LEAST 6 MONTHS BEFORE TRIP
Troop Trip & High Risk Activity Request Form
It is required to submit this form before your scheduled international trip. If you'd like to use them to pay for part of your troop trip, contact us at customercare@gsmw.org.
MUST SUBMIT AT LEAST 2 WEEKS BEFORE TRIP
*Trip leaders should aim to submit requests for international trips involving air
travel and/or multiple high risk activities at least one month before the trip.
Important Safety Considerations
Safety Activity Checkpoints (SACs)
First Aid / CPR Certifications
Water-Related Activities
Any water-related activity that involves moving water or entering moving water requires, at minimum, the presence of a certified lifeguard.
- Any time girls are swimming, a certified lifeguard must be present, even if you are swimming at a hotel, and all girls must participate in a swimming test to determine their swimming aptitude.
- No lifeguard is necessary for wading in calm, shallow water. Note: If the standing water level is knee deep or higher, the adult(s) overseeing youth should complete the American Red Cross Water Safety for Parents and Caregivers training.
Boating & Water Craft
Canoeing, rowboats, stand-up paddle boarding, rafting, kayaking and other water craft all require additional degrees of instructor certifications and supervision.
- Please view the Paddling and Rowing Sports Master Progression List for guidance on the type and level of certifications required for water activities.
- Also view the specific Safety Activity Checkpoints for the type of boating activity.
- GSMW does not require leaders to acquire the boating certifications themselves. Rather, we encourage trip leaders to seek-out properly insured commercial outfitters to supply the boating equipment and instructors who have the proper certifications.
- If your troop is interested in pursuing water sports regularly, then troop volunteers should investigate the opportunity to become certified water craft instructors.
- Water-loving troops are also encouraged to pursue the Mariner Troop path.
Finding Instructors
For assistance in finding water craft instructors, lifeguards, and water-related certification courses, click on either of the following links to view lists and locations of possible providers:
- Wyoming - Area GSMW Watercraft & Water Safety Contacts
- Montana - Area GSMW Watercraft & Water Safety Contacts
You may also search the American Canoe Association’s web site for potential instructors in your area.
GSUSA Group Travel
Getaways are short and affordable travel programs for Girl Scout troops who want to plan an adventure-filled trip in the U.S.
LEARN MORE
