Trips, Travel, and Destinations
Marine Science Comes to Life
Spend an unforgettable weekend at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab exploring Alabama's coast through kayaking, marine research, and hands-on science.
LEARN MORETraveling with Girl Scouts
Whether your troop is planning a day trip across town, an overnight adventure, or a once-in-a-lifetime destination, Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama provides the resources you need to travel safely and confidently.
From local troop outings to international adventures, Girl Scout travel grows with girls' experience, confidence, and leadership skills. Every trip builds independence, decision-making, and teamwork while creating unforgettable memories.
This page brings together troop travel guidelines, required forms, approved activity providers, safety resources, and travel scholarship information to help your troop prepare for every adventure. You'll also find information about Girl Scout Destinations, the GSUSA travel program offering unforgettable domestic and international experiences for individual Girl Scouts.
Travel Planning Guidelines
Troop and activity leaders should thoroughly review the current version of Volunteer Essentials, which includes additional information about trip planning, travel, safety, and activity approval.
Girl Scout Juniors and above should be actively encouraged to read and become familiar with these travel guidelines so they can be engaged partners in deciding where, when, and how they travel or participate in activities.
Start with Girl-Led Progression
Girl Scout trips should always be girl-led. Begin with simple, close-to-home adventures, then gradually progress to longer or more complex trips as girls gain confidence and experience. If girls are not actively choosing the what, when, where, who, and how of a trip, it may not be age-appropriate.
Special note for Daisy and new troop leaders: The council strongly recommends beginning with short local trips before progressing to overnight or longer-distance travel. This allows adults to monitor how girls and volunteers work together and determine when girls are ready to travel without an accompanying parent.
Before You Travel
Before taking any trip or travel activity:
- All attending adults must have a current background check and current Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Training.
- The troop leader and/or other approved adults must have successfully completed the required Driver Safety Checklist and trainings (First Aid/CPR, GS101, and S'more Basics) before taking trips.
- Leaders and approved adults must understand the responsibilities outlined in the Volunteer Position Description for their role and complete all required training associated with that position.
- Leaders and approved adults must also be familiar with any special activity requirements outlined in these Travel Guidelines, Safety Activity Checkpoints, Volunteer Essentials, and the Guide to Camping.
Airbnb & Private Rentals Information 
Uber, Lyft & Ridesharing Information
When Is a Troop Group Activity Application Required?
A Troop Group Activity Application is required when:
- The trip is more than two nights.
- The trip is outside the GSNCA council jurisdiction.
- The trip includes activities such as camping, family camping, swimming, boating, paddleboarding, whitewater activities, tubing, rock climbing, caving, target or shooting sports, skiing, skating, horseback riding, ropes courses, climbing sports, trampoline parks, or similar activities. Providers for these activities must be preapproved as part of the trip approval process.
- Any planned location or activity requires signing a hold harmless agreement or liability waiver.
- Submit completed applications at least three weeks before your event. International trips require submission a minimum of six months before departure.
Why Approval Matters
It is important for the council to know where your troop is traveling and what activities you have planned—for your protection. Without council approval of your trip, GSUSA insurance will not provide coverage in the event of an accident.
