Welcome to the great adventure of Girl Scouting! Thanks to volunteers like you, generations of girls have learned to be leaders in their own lives and in the world. Volunteer Essentials serves as your guide to Girl Scouting, please click on the links below to get started.

Volunteer Essentials

Troop Appendix

Travel Appendix

Event -Series-Camp Appendix NEW!

Council Resources and Property Appendix (Coming Soon)

Girl Scout Safety Guidelines

SAFETY ACTIVITY CHECKPOINTS:

Introduction to Safety Activity Checkpoints

Before any activity is considered, please read and understand Safety-Wise (Ch. 4 of Volunteer Essentials). This addresses:

When preparing for any activity with girls, always begin with the Safety Activity Checkpoints written specifically for that particular activity. This introduction provides an overview of the format of each set of checkpoints. Note: In addition to reading these checkpoints yourself, you can also e-mail or print them for co-volunteers, parents/guardians, and girls.

Downloadable versions of all Safety Activity Checkpoints are available further down on this page.

How to Read the Safety Activity Checkpoints

This introduction provides an overview of the format of each set of checkpoints.

• Know where to do the activity
  A quick list of the most common places girls carry out the activity
• Include girls with disabilities
  Tips and special Web sites for information on including girls with disabilities
• Basic Gear
  Includes clothing and equipment girls are likely to already have in their possession.
• Specialized Gear
  Includes clothing and equipment girls may need to purchase, rent, or borrow.
• Prepare for the Activity
  These checkpoints discuss steps to take in advance of the activity. Not every category is listed here, and not every activity includes these categories.
  • Communicate with council and parents. Tips for following council guidelines and keeping parents informed
  • Ensure prerequisites. Ranges from an ability to swim to knowledge of primitive camping
  • Arrange for transportation and adult supervision. Recommended adult-to-girl ratios for this activity
  • Arrange for adult supervision, and verify instructor certification. Ensuring the volunteers or on-site instructors possess the proper training/certification
  • Select a safe site. A game plan for ensuring the safest experience possible
  • Compile key contacts. Information on itineraries, phone trees, and other contact information
  • Respect the environment. Tips for ensuring environmental responsibility
  • Prepare for emergencies. First-aider requirements and other emergency precautions
• On the Day of the Activity
  These checkpoints include important final reminders on the day of the activity. Not every category is listed here, and not every activity includes these categories.
  • Get a weather report. Ways to monitor the weather for any outdoor activity and/or activity requiring transportation
  • Review rescue tips. Activity-specific rescue tips
  • Use the buddy system. The best way to ensure no one is separated from the group or unable to get help
  • Be prepared in the event of a storm with lightning. Special details for outdoor warm-weather activities
• Links
  Guide you to the best-known and best-respected Web sites.
• Know-How for Girls
  Offers games, mini-lessons, and other fun ways to expand girls’ knowledge.
• Jargon
  Helps you and the girls master activity-specific terminology.

How to Download

The Safety Activity Checkpoints are available here in a few different formats so you can choose what works best for you. You can either:

• Download all the Safety Activity Checkpoints in one PDF (156 pages) (useful to print and keep in a binder)
• Download individual files as needed by clicking on the desired Safety Activity Checkpoint below. Coming Soon!