Are you planning a big trip—maybe to one of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) World Centres or on another adventure? Global Action Volunteer Team member, Karen, is a pro at helping Girl Scouts and volunteers plan trips! Before graduating high school, her troop went all over the world, including the WAGGGS World Centre in Switzerland, Martha’s Vineyard, and the Bay Area in California.

Here, Karen shares her timeline for planning a Girl Scout trip:

18 months out

• Brainstorm ideas for 3-4 locations that would be age appropriate for your group to travel to. A great place to start is GSUSA’s travel webpage!
• Let your Girl Scouts’ parents know that you’re beginning to plan a travel adventure and ask them to “save the date!”
• Depending on the ages of your Girl Scouts, ask them to research potential locations, how to get there, where to stay, what to do etc. This takes some time, but eventually the girls will want to have a vote!

12 months out

• Leaders will need to make sure they have trainings up to date and their paperwork filled out. GCNWI is here to help with this, and our travel webpage has it all listed!
• Keep your parents updated with travel plans including how your troop has decided to pay for their trip and any special items they might need for the adventure.
• Financial Assistance and Travel Scholarships are available! Scholarship funds provide girls with the resources to plan and pursue travel, from council-sponsored day trips to international journeys.
• Start looking at making your reservations for overnight accommodations and travel. Always ask if discounts are available for Girl Scout troops—you would be surprised by how many do!

6 months out

• Double check that all of your paperwork has been approved via Girl Scouts. Put together a binder with a day-by-day outline of your trip and Girl Scout paperwork including release/medical forms for your girls. You will need to have this with you everywhere you go!

3 months out

• Everyone should be very excited! You might want to think about making a troop t-shirt, bandana, headband, bucket hat, etc.—not only a fun souvenir but a great way to visually keep track of them in busy areas.
• This is also when you want to confirm all your reservations you have made, including hotels, tours, and restaurant reservations.

As a volunteer traveling with Girl Scouts, you will have the greatest adventures of your lifetime. Check out GSUSA’s Travel Resources for even more great info!

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

Around the World and Around the Corner

When you travel with Girl Scouts, near or far, you’re doing more than making memories — you’re also exploring your passions and making global connections! Learn more about traveling with Girl Scouts GCNWI.

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.