Travel

Travel is a vital part of the Girl Scout experience, from the field trips girls take as Brownies to the global adventures they go on as teens. Travel teaches girls 21st-century skills like critical thinking, problem solving, global awareness and cultural sensitivity. And with Girl Scouts, the opportunities are endless—girls can “blast off” at space camp in Alabama, go kayaking off the coast of California, take in a Broadway show in New York City, or even travel internationally with other girls who share their love of adventure.

Travel in Girl Scouting is all about progression. It starts with a Daisy troop’s first trip to their local fire station or library. Brownies can explore all around the state. Junior girls explore the state and the region. By the time a girl is a Cadette or older, she is ready to take flight and explore the whole country and the world.

Ready to get going? Below you'll find our council's guidelines for safe, fun, enriching troop travel experiences, as well as pointers for empowering girls to take the lead on every trip. Keep scrolling for unique travel resources and opportunities offered by Girl Scouts USA!

Trips and Travel with GSSOAZ

Field Trips: A field trip is a trip that takes place outside of your normal troop meeting time or place, but occurs in your town or city. It does not include overnights.

Field Trips At A Glance: A basic overview on what to expect and how to prepare, including girl-to-adult safety ratios.

Let’s Go! Field Trip: Ideas on how to help girls drive the planning of your field trip. (Also located in the Resources tab of the Volunteer Toolkit.)

Ready to get going? We no longer require council approval before a field trip. However, we do ask that you complete the Field Trip Notification Form a week before your trip. If an activity is high-risk, our Troop Support team will reach out for more information.

Field Trip Notification Form
Short Trips (1 - 3 days): A short trip lasts three days or less, takes place outside of your normal troop meeting time or place, and occurs outside of your town or city.

Short Trips At A Glance: A basic overview on what to expect and how to prepare, including girl-to-adult safety ratios.

Let’s Go! Short Trip: Ideas on how to help girls drive the planning of your field trip. (Located in the Resources tab of the Volunteer Toolkit.)

Ready to get going? You must submit a Short Trip Application for council approval at least three weeks before your trip. For more information, contact Troop Support at troopsupport@girlscoutssoaz.org.

Short Trip Application

Don't forget to check out GSUSA's excellent trip planning resources as well! (See below.)
Extended Trips (3+ Days): An extended trip is a trip that is longer than three days. It can take place domestically or internationally. (Planning for international travel should begin 12-18 months in advance of the trip, and additional supporting materials and coaching are available.)

Extended Trips At A Glance: A basic overview on what to expect and how to prepare, including girl-to-adult safety ratios.

Let’s Go! Extended Trip: Ideas on how to help girls drive the planning of your field trip. (Located in the Resources tab of the Volunteer Toolkit.)

Ready to hit the road? The application forms for extended trips are located within the Let's Go! Extended Trip packet. You must submit the preliminary application at least three months before your trip. For more information, contact Troop Support at troopsupport@girlscoutssoaz.org.

Don't forget to check out GSUSA's excellent trip planning resources as well! (See below.)

GSUSA's Travel Resources and Opportunities

Girl Scout Guide to Travel - NEW!: With the right tools and plenty of planning, any Girl Scout can make her travel dreams come true!

Check out the brand-new Girl Scout Guide to U.S. Travel for help getting started with a three- to four-night trip in your region or a longer trip anywhere in the United States.

Take the "Ready For Travel?" quiz (for girls, parents, and leaders!)
Girl Scout Global Travel Toolkit: Once you’ve explored the country, consider going on an international trip!

The Girl Scout Global Travel Toolkit can help you get where you want to go. It includes separate guides for girls and adults, checklists and handouts to help you on your planning journey, and tips and tricks for traveling abroad.

Check out the Girl Scout Travel Log, for girls to record their travel experiences before, during, and after their trip!
Girl Scout Destinations (For Girls): Check out Girl Scout Destinations, the ultimate adventure program for girls ages 11 and older.

With a ton of different trips to apply for every year—from surfing camp on the east coast and breathtaking hikes out west, to the crazy-cool wonder of new cultures abroad—there’s something amazing for everyone to experience.

Make friends from all over the country as you travel with Girl Scouts from different states, see and learn new things, and pack your bags full of inspiring, life-changing experiences and memories. Find your trip today!

All Destinations are sponsored by GSUSA and are conducted by Girl Scout councils and other trusted providers. To learn more, contact Timalee Nevels at tnevels@girlscoutssoaz.org or 520-319-3159.
Girl Scout Getaways (For Troops): Thinking about planning an adventure with your troop?

Girl Scout Getaways are short travel programs designed specifically for Girl Scout troops. (Make sure to check the site on a regular basis – GSUSA posts new Getaways throughout the year!)

Together, you and your girls can travel to the streets of New York to see a Broadway show; reach for the stars at Space Camp; explore new parts of the country by bike, canoe, and kayak; join a Girl Scout Jamboree; and so much more!

Each of these trips is designed by GSUSA and conducted by Girl Scout councils and other trusted providers. To learn more, contact Timalee Nevels at tnevels@girlscoutssoaz.org or 520-319-3159.
International Girl Scouting Events & Opportunities: Girl Scouts go global!

Browse GSUSA's international Girl Scouting events page to search for international troop events hosted by global scouting organizations, and information about how to visit our amazing WAGGGS centers.

The WAGGGS World Centres

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) is the largest voluntary movement dedicated to girls and young women in the world, with ten million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from 145 countries across the world. Girl Scouts of the USA is a member of WAGGGS.

The five WAGGGS World Centres are residential training centers where girls and young women develop leadership skills through international programs and friendship. They are:

Our Chalet, Adelboden, Switzerland
Pax Lodge, London, UK
Our Cabaña, Cuernavaca, Mexico
Sangam, Pune, India
Kusafiri, a traveling centre in Africa

For more information, contact Timalee Nevels at tnevels@girlscoutssoaz.org or 520-319-3159.