Taking your troop on a trip or doing a money-earning activity? Start here.
To submit the Council Approval Application for Trips and More , please visit the Resources tab (Tips & Travel section) of the Volunteer Toolkit.
Girls love trips. And Girl Scouts is a great place for them to learn how to plan and take trips, because travel is built on a progression of activities — that is, one activity leads to the next. Girl Scout Daisies, for example, can begin with a discovery walk. As girls grow in their travel skills and experience and can better manage the planning process, they progress to longer trips.
Taking trips is an ideal way to offer girls leadership opportunities. The three processes (girl-led, learning by doing, and cooperative learning) work beautifully as girls lead their own trip-planning, cooperatively plan every aspect of the trip, and learn through their travels what works and what doesn't. In the same way, the three leadership keys (discover, connect, and take action) stretch girls as they spend weeks, months, or even years group-planning a trip, which includes an extensive take-action component.
An activity that may involve travel, cover subjects of a sensitive or controversial nature, or involve special equipment or supervision should be carefully considered and planned. It should be approved by the council and discussed with parents or guardians before it is included in troop plans.
GSUSA Guidelines
- Complete the Council Approval Application online at least four weeks before the proposed activity. If a contract or waiver needs to be signed, then email or mail contract or waiver to the Girl Scout Center.
- The Director of Program Quality will confirm safety details and approve the activity if appropriate.
- If the activity is not approved, personal contact will be made.
To submit the Council Approval Application for Money-Earning Activities, please visit the Resources tab of the Volunteer Toolkit.
Helping girls earn and manage money is an integral part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Girl Scout troops are responsibble for planning and financing their own activities, with guidance from troop advisors. This puts girls in charge, giving them the opportunity to cooperatively set goals, manage a budget, spend responsibly, maintain records, earn social skills, and develop good marketing, entrepreneurial, math, and financial skills
Girl Scout troops are funded by a share of money earned through Girl Scout Cookie sales, group money-earning activities (council-approved, of course!), and any dues the troop may charge. The best way to earn money for your group is to start with the Girl Scout cookie sale. From there, your group may decide to earn additional funds on its own.
Group money-earning activities need to be suited to the age and abilities of the girls and consistent with the principles of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Money raised is for Girl Scout activities and is not to be retained by individuals. In submitting a Group Money-Earning Activity Application you acknowledge that you have read the information in Chapter 5: Managing Group Finances in Volunteer Essentials.
Prior to submitting a Group Money-Earning Activity Application, volunteers should have the girls in the troop prepare a financial plan including a budget worksheet.
Group Money-Earning activities may not be held during the council-sponsored product sale ordering and delivery times. Dates will vary; contact us for more information.
- Complete the Council Approval Application online at least four weeks before the proposed activity.
- The Director of Program Quality will confirm details and approve the activity if appropriate.
- If the activity is not approved, personal contact will be made.
- Complete an evaluation of the activity online.
