Travel

Girl Scouts love to travel

From the field trips they take as Brownies to the global adventures they go on as teens, some of the most memorable moments in a Girl Scout’s life happens while taking trips!

Traveling offers vast opportunities for Girl Scouts to develop leadership skills. Girl Scouts is a great place to learn how to plan and take trips. Travel is built on a progression of activities – that is, one activity leads to the next. As Girl Scouts grow in their travel skills and experience, they can better manage the planning process and progress to longer trips. Check out the Girl Scout Travel Progression chart to guide your travel plans.

Travel three different ways: Travel with your troop or service unit, our council, or through Destinations with Girl Scouts from around the world.

How far will your Girl Scout experience take you? That’s up to you!

Troop Travel

Council Travel

Destinations

Troop Travel toggle arrow

In addition to regularly scheduled troop meetings, troops or groups of Girl Scouts often plan trips together — anything from a local day trip to an international adventure! Girl Scouts and adults work together to plan, budget and arrange trip details according to the guidelines and requirements for travel.

If your troop is meeting somewhere other than your normal location and time, our Troop Travel Guide will be the first place to start planning with your Girl Scouts.

Required Forms for Troop Travel

Local Field Trip toggle arrow

A walk to the nearby garden, or a short ride by car or public transportation to the firehouse or courthouse is a great first step. What you’ll need:

1. Girl Health History and Troop Activity Permission Slip for each Girl Scout attending

2. Adult Health History for each adult attending

Day Trip

An all-day visit to a point of historical or natural interest (bringing their own lunch) or a day-long trip to a nearby city (stopping at a restaurant for a meal)—younger Girl Scouts can select locations and do much of the trip-planning while never being too far from home. What you’ll need:

1. Girl Health History and Troop Activity Permission Slip for each Girl Scout attending

2. Adult Health History for each adult attending

Overnight Trip toggle arrow

Help Girl Scouts plan their first single overnight— maybe at a council event, camp, or nearby city, staying in a hotel or even overnight at a large museum.

1. Girl Health History and Troop Activity Permission Slip for each Girl Scout attending; and if applicable, Medication Permission

2. Adult Health History for each adult attending

3. If camping at property not owned by GSWNY, submit Permission for Use of Non-Council Campsite 60 days before trip

Short Trip toggle arrow

Broaden your troop’s horizons by spending two to three nights in your region, up to a six hour drive away from home. Go to a state or national park, or nearby city for sightseeing, staying in a hotel or campground. These short trips are just long enough to get Girl Scouts excited about travel, but not long enough to generate homesickness. What you’ll need:

1. Girl Health History and Troop Activity Permission Slip for each Girl Scout attending; and if applicable, Medication Permission

2. Adult Health History for each adult attending

3. If camping at property not owned by GSWNY, submit Permission for Use of Non-Council Campsite 60 days before trip

4. Submit Intent to Travel 90 days before trip

5. Submit Troop Travel Agreement 60 days before trip

Extended Trip toggle arrow

Travel the country! See Juliette Gordon Low’s birthplace in Savannah, plan a cross-country trek, or choose your own adventure! These trips last four or more nights or take place more than a six-hour drive from home within the U.S. What you’ll need:

1. Girl Health History and Troop Activity Permission Slip for each Girl Scout attending; and if applicable, Medication Permission

2. Adult Health History for each adult attending

3. Submit Intent to Travel 90 days before trip

4. Submit Troop Travel Agreement 60 days before trip

International Trip toggle arrow

Travel the world! These life-changing trips usually take one to three years to prepare but create lifelong memories and benefits for your Girl Scouts. When planning your trip, consider visiting a WAGGGS World Centre! What you’ll need:

1. Girl Health History and for each Girl Scout attending; and if applicable, Medication Permission

2. Adult Health History for each adult attending

3. Submit Intent to Travel 24 months before trip

4. Submit Troop Travel Agreement 18 months before trip

5. Permission to Travel with Minors Form (for each minor under the age of 18 traveling from the US to any foreign country not accompanied by parent(s)). This form will need to be notarized. Notary services are commonly available at the following places:

Banks
UPS Stores
Public libraries (some locations)

It's always a good idea to call ahead to confirm availability and any requirements.

Troop Travel Resources

There are several great resources to help volunteers and Girl Scouts plan a successful travel experience.

Birthplace Bound: An essential travel resource created to simplify your trip-planning process to visit the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace in Savannah, Georgia.
Daisy Field Trip Guide
Getaways: Getaways are short travel programs designed specifically for Girl Scout troops, hosted by Girl Scout councils and partners. Your troop can just register and go! (Be sure to let GSWNY know you are traveling.
Girl Scout Guide to Global Travel
Girl Scout Guide to Domestic Travel
Volunteer Essentials
Safety Activity Checkpoints
Accident/Incident Report Form
Medication Log
Girl Scout Travel Code of Conduct
Adult Traveler Code of Conduct
Troop Travel Leader Agreement
Chaperone Participation Agreement

Council Travel toggle arrow

Each year, Girl Scouts of Western New York hosts at least one international travel opportunity, led by a GSWNY staff member or volunteer.

2027

Germany, Italy, Switzerland & France – 13 days – July 2027

On this tour we’ll explore Rothenberg, Munich, Innsbruck, Venice, Verona, Adelboden, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, and Paris! Each one of the cities, towns, and villages on this itinerary inspires the imagination in its own unique way. We’ll take part in a pinning ceremony at Our Chalet, the oldest of the five WAGGGS Centres, before visiting the splendid Swiss Alps, as well as seeing the Eiffel Tower and exploring the Louvre in Paris.

For more information or to enroll, visit: www.eftours.com/2813629XT

2028

Costa Rica & Panama – 8 days – July 2028

Get ready for a high-adventure journey through both Costa Rica and Panama—two countries, one unforgettable experience. From seeing crocodiles and tapirs at the Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge to enjoying an Afro-Caribbean dance and drum class and an authentic, freshly grown Bri Bri lunch, your days will be filled with rich culture and discovery. Top it all off with river kayaking at Punta Uva, whitewater rafting on the Sarapiquí River, and an exhilarating zipline ride through the canopy.

For more information or to enroll, visit: https://www.eftours.com/tour-website/2869603XW

2029

London & Paris – 9 days – July 2029

Two magical cities in one unforgettable trip! Explore London and see Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace, visit Pax Lodge WAGGGS Centre and take part in a pinning ceremony. Then, we’ll travel to Paris and see the Eiffel Tower, take a tour of Versailles, visit the Louvre, and have a full-day at Disneyland Paris!

For more information or to enroll, visit: www.eftours.com/3021944NJ

More Questions? Write to us at girl.experience@gswny.org

Destinations toggle arrow

Girl Scout Destinations are the ultimate adventure for individual Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts. Push past your comfort zone by applying for a trip on your own, and make friends from all over the country as you travel with new Girl Scout friends. There’s a unique, life-changing experience for everyone. These trips are hosted by Girl Scouts of the USA.

Why is there an application for Destinations?

Destinations are the ultimate Girl Scout travel experience. Each Destination is made up of a group of individual Girl Scouts who are passionate about attending the trip, and have the prior travel experience to make their participation a success. Your application helps tell the Destination host that you’re ready to take this step, and why this is the best Destination for you. (Plus, it’s good practice for the college or job applications coming in your future!)

What is the application timeline?

August 1 Destinations applications open!

November 15 “Early decision” deadline. Be sure to apply by this date if there is a specific Destination you really want to join! Every application submitted between August 1^st and November 15^th will be reviewed in late November. Acceptance is NOT first come, first served during the early decision period.

December 15 Destination hosts send early decision notifications.

After November 15^th, most Destinations will still have some spaces remaining! Applications will remain open on a rolling basis (first come, first served) until the trip is listed as “FULL” on the website and application link.

Applicants who apply after November 15^th should expect a decision from the Destination host within three weeks of applying.

Funding Your Travel

Travelers may use funds from the Fall Product Program and Girl Scout Cookie Program to help pay for council trips.

Juniors and above can participate in other council-approved money-earning activities such as a car wash, or a bake sale. GSWNY prohibits games of chance. Any activity that could be considered a game of chance (raffles, contests, bingo, etc.) is prohibited. See Volunteer Essentials for all rules and guidelines for money earning.

Girl Scouts enrolled on a council sponsored trip may also apply for financial assistance. Financial Assistance is based on financial need and comes from a pre-defined budget. In many instances, Girl Scouts receive a portion of their requested funds and some applicants may receive no funding. A GSWNY staff member will email all Girl Scouts enrolled on a council sponsored trip the application 6-8 months prior to the trip.

Additional Travel Training

Looking for more help? If you’d like to talk through the nitty gritty of your travel, or even brainstorm ideas, GSWNY has travel trainers ready to help. Simply reach out to Customer Care and we’ll connect you with someone who can help!

Email: customercare@gswny.org

Call: 1-888-837-6410