Safety in Girl Scouting

In Girl Scouting, the emotional and physical safety and well-being of girls is our top priority. Safety Activity Checkpoints outlines the safety standards and guidelines used in Girl Scouting, which apply to all Girl Scout activities.

All guidelines in our Volunteer Essentials are subject to change as new information or changes noted by federal or state health agencies regarding the spread of COVID-19 emerge. Please review and stay updated with our COVID-19 guidelines, which require all volunteers to take all reasonable precautions to limit potential exposure for girls, volunteers, and families.

Safety Activity Checkpoints

The emotional and physical safety and well-being of Girl Scouts is our top priority. Safety Activity Checkpoints outlines the Safety Standards and Guidelines used in Girl Scouting, which apply to all Girl Scout activities.

For current COVID-19 guidelines, check your local council’s version of Safety Activity Checkpoints.

All volunteers should review the Safety Activity Checkpoints manual when planning activities with girls in order to manage safety and risk in Girl Scout-sanctioned activities.

Access the Safety Activity Checkpoints »
Access the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Virtual Meeting »
Access the Safety in Girls Scouting course in gsLearn »

In Safety Activity Checkpoints, you’ll find:

Girl Scout Activity Safety Standards and Guidelines with requirements for adult supervision, permission slips, preparation, field trips and overnight trips, and other vital information
Activities that are not permitted by Girl Scouts of the USA and actions that girls and volunteers should not take
Policies surrounding chartered aircraft trips and aviation
First-aid and overall health information you’ll need from the girls
Standards for well-being and inclusivity, including working with Girl Scouts with disabilities and ensuring emotional safety
A breakdown of specific activities—such as camping, internet use, and water sports—and their individual safety checkpoints

Following the Safety Standards and Guidelines is an Activity-at-a-Glance chart which details two critical points to keep in mind:

Age-appropriate activities and participation by grade level
Whether prior approval from your council is required before girls participate in a specific activity

Knowing How Many Volunteers You Need

From camping weekends to cookie booths, adult volunteers must always be present to ensure their girls have fun and stay safe, no matter their grade level.

Not sure just how many adults you’ll need for your activity? The following chart breaks down the minimum number of volunteers needed to supervise a specific number of girls; councils may also establish maximums due to size or cost restrictions, so be sure to check with them as you plan your activity.

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