Troop trips provide an opportunity to establish and accomplish both long-term goals and short-term objectives for the members of the troop. Depending on the interests of the girls, the trip may be planned over a period of months or years. It is the responsibility of adult partners to guide girls in choosing and organizing a trip that reflects the experience and planning ability of the girls.

Purpose of Troop Trips

Trips should have a purpose. The purpose should be compatible with the elements of the Girl Scout program:

1. Should lead to the accomplishment of one or more of the council goals.

2. Should be age level appropriate.

3. Should be planned and researched by BOTH girls and adults.

4. Should be within the ability of the girls to plan and within the troop budget.

Progression

Girls should have progressive learning experiences away from home prior to the date of the planned trip. (See Progression of Trips in Safety-Wise)
 

Those traveling to destinations outside of the United States and to some Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. program centers (i.e. Savannah, Georgia) must secure local council program department endorsement on inquiry and application forms. Contact your Girl Scout Center program services specialist for additional information.

Planning

The trip should be planned over a period of time that allows GIRLS to adequately prepare for the trip. When the trip destination is identified, careful consideration should be given to developing a feasible timeline to provide opportunities for troop money earning. Adequate planning time will allow the troop to incorporate activities addressing each of the program goals while preparing for the anticipated trip.
Review safety and security guidelines (including those regarding insurance), activity checkpoints, program standards (including those on money-earning) and camping standards in Safety-wise.

Budgeting

Trip plans may include one – four years of money earning, depending on the trip costs. Troops should plan money-earning activities to cover most of the trip cost. Parents should not be expected to cover a large portion of the trip cost. Financial Assistance is available to INDIVIDUAL troop members demonstrating a specific financial need that cannot be offset by the parents or the troop treasury. If most or all girls are requesting a financial assistance, this is probably an indication that the trip budget should be revised.

Leased Vehicles Policy

1. When renting, leasing or borrowing vehicles (including buses) the council should enter into a written agreement with the leasing company, which sets forth their respective obligations. The vehicle agreement must indicate that the vehicle is leased on behalf of Girl Scouts of Western Ohio.

2. The regional director or her designee must sign this contract / agreement. The insurance coverage on the vehicle, (liability and physical damage) should be provided by the leasing company.

3. When leasing a bus:
    

   1. The driver must be an employee of the bus company.

   2. The bus company must provide a certificate of insurance. The minimum limits of liability on any leased bus/van must be at least $1,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage. If interstate highway travel is planned, there must be $5,000,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage.

   3. The certificate of insurance and leasing agreement must be submitted to the regional director or her designee for review and approval.

Troop Trip Procedures

1. Review Safety-Wise, Ch. 5 – Planning Trips with Girl Scouts. An additional resource is the “Trip Planning Guide,” available from the Girl Scout Center.
    

2. Girl Scouts of Western Ohio has instituted a Volunteer Driver Policy (refer to Policies Section for the complete policy) that must be followed by all drivers that will be driving children on troop trips. The troop leader is the person responsible for making sure all drivers are in accordance with this policy.
    

3. Your troop must have completed and turned in a Troop/Group Financial Report form for the previous year to be approved to go on a troop trip. If you have any questions whether or not you have turned one in please call your service delivery manager at the Girl Scout Center.
    

4. Complete a “Troop Activity/ Trip Notification Form” for all activities (over 30 miles from your meeting location) and trips. Note: A “Troop Activity/ Trip Notification Form” must be completed for ALL high-risk activities regardless of the distance traveled.
    

5. Mail to your program services specialist at the regional office. See the Forms Section  for a copy of the form.
    

6. Check the chart below (taken from the “Troop Activity/ Trip Notification Form”) to see which sections you must complete based on the type of activity you will be participating in.
    

7. File a “Request for Purchase of Additional Insurance Form” to purchase activity accident insurance for trips longer than two nights, or for non-Girl Scout members.
   Minimum purchase amount of $5.00.
    

8. Contact your program services specialist to discuss program facility liability insurance.