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.

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Traveling 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.

GSUSA Destinations Program

Explore unforgettable domestic and international travel experiences for individual Girl Scouts through the official GSUSA program.

GSNCA Travel Scholarships

Apply for financial assistance to help cover the cost of GSUSA Destinations and GSNCA-sponsored travel opportunities.

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 toggle arrow

Use of Airbnb and other private rentals is permitted with additional steps required for safety. Confirm the following ahead of time:

The rental is for exclusive use of the home. No other renters will have access to the home during the rental period.
The space has smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers (these are noted as amenities on booking sites).
The home and host have substantial, positive visitor reviews. Do not book places with negative, few or no reviews. Look for super-host status on Airbnb.
The liability insurance from the host covers premises for commercial use, with a minimum of one million dollars General Liability insurance.
Check the host’s profile or identity verification. You may be asked to do the same, as a renter.
The local host or manager contact info is available for immediate needs. Share this information with an in-town contact (a person not on the trip).
Check state laws to see if Airbnb, VRBO and HomeAway are mandated to meet hotel laws and standards so that you know there is an extra layer of protection.

Uber, Lyft & Ridesharing Information toggle arrow

Uber, Lyft, Curb, and similar ridesharing companies are permitted to transport girls using the following guidelines:

An adult should ride in each vehicle with girls when multiple vehicles are being used.
Wait for your ride in a safe place. For taxis, when possible, call (or ask your hotel to call), rather than hailing from the street. Use a taxi stand at airports. Stand away from traffic while waiting.
For taxis: Check that the taxi is appropriately marked.
For ride-sharing services: o Check that the vehicle’s license plate, make and model match what is shown in the app. Compare the app’s photo with the driver. Ask for their name and be sure it matches the app. Ask, “who are you here to pick up?” They should have your first name, but not other info about you.
If you feel uncomfortable for any reason, do not get in the vehicle. If you become uncomfortable, end the ride. Report your experience to the taxi service or ride-sharing app.
Send your in-town contact the name of the driver and your destination. Most apps have a sharing feature for this purpose.
Do not share information about the group or where you are staying to any stranger.
Each passenger must wear a seat belt. Enter and exit curbside.
In foreign countries, consult a local expert about how to best call for taxis or rides. Reputable practices vary.

Troop Group Activity Application

Approved Activity Providers

GSNCA Liability Waiver

Guardian Permission Form

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.

Safety Activity Checkpoints

Council Finder

Trips, Travel, and Destinations