Written by Global Action Volunteer Team Member Maureen Ewing and Senior Manager of Travel Programs, Ashley Christensen

As you start to plan what your troop will be doing this Girl Scout year, have you considered planning a trip? The trip doesn’t have to be big or long or even very far away – just enough for girls to practice planning, making girl-led decisions, and working together as a team.  

A great place to plan a starter trip is at one of our council properties! When you are ready to meet in-person with your troop, Girl Scout camps will be open! You can reserve outdoor shelters, lodges, and other campsites on our new registration and reservation site. 

Locations open for use*: 

• Camp Butternut Springs (Valparaiso, IN) 
• Camp Greene Wood (Woodridge, IL) 
• Camp Juniper Knoll (East Troy, WI)
• Camp Palos (Palos Park, IL) 

*Some sites may not be available in the winter months. 

Not sure where you want to go? Check out an overview of our camps & locations!

Want to take your girls on a local trip but not sure where to start? Try one of these local sights in the Chicagoland area!

• Enjoy a night or weekend in downtown Chicago. Stay at HI Chicago, right downtown, and reserve a dorm room just for your girls. Explore our wonderful city from museums to outdoor parks to public art.  
• Take a hike at Starved Rock State Park. The park boasts beautiful trails, picturesque waterfalls, and a great view of the Illinois river. The fall is beautiful at Starved Rock! There is a lodge at Starved Rock and local campgrounds if you want to stay the night. 
• Visit a pumpkin patch and plan a pumpkin carving party! There are many pumpkin patches around Chicagoland where girls can choose their own pumpkins and enjoy outdoor activities. 
• Road trip it and learn some history! Cities like Springfield, IL, Galena, IL, Madison, WI, and Milwaukee, WI all have much to offer just a few hours away! 

Keep your girls excited about travel, reminding them what lies just outside their doorstep. From planning where to go, how to get there, and what their budget is, girls learn leadership skills as they become travelers.

Check out more resources on our council’s travel webpage.

The Global Action Volunteer Team produced a series of videos showing off their neighborhoods! Watch the series on our YouTube, then check out these neighborhoods with your troop or family.

Make sure to follow our COVID-19 guidelines while traveling.

Help make travel adventures like these possible for more Girl Scouts through the GCNWI Travel Scholarship! Scholarship funds provide girls facing financial hardship with the resources to plan and pursue travel, from council-sponsored day trips to international journeys through the Destinations program. Together, we can help Girl Scouts become more knowledgeable, compassionate citizens of the world through global programming and travel opportunities.