GOING PLACES: Where to Go?

 

There are many opportunities for travel beyond the troop/group meeting in Girl Scouts for girls of all ages. Girls having the opportunity to learn to plan trips and travel as a group is one of the basic experiences in Girl Scouting. In Girl Scouting, travel is about fun, exploration and progressive experiences in appreciating the outdoors, new places and other cultures.


When traveling into a different part of the country, it is good for the girls to do some research about the place they are going first. In addition to viewing scenic attractions, cultural festivals, shopping, or exploring museums, girls may find their trip enriched by doing a Girl Scout activity while they're there, utilizing grade-level awards related to travel. In addition, many Girl Scout councils in major cities or areas of the country have "council's own" patches related to the unique attractions of their city or the area.


When planning a trip, keep these items in mind:

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  1. Let the girls plan and do.
  2. Why go?
  3. Where to go?
  4. When are we going?
  5. What to take?
  6. Who is going?
  7. Can we afford this trip?
  8. What to do beforehand?
  9. What to do afterwards?
  10. Safety

Planning for Appropriate Trip Progression


Girls love trips. Girl Scouts is a great place for girls to learn how to plan and take trips. Trips should be built on a progression of activities-that is, one activity leads to the next.


Girl Scout Daisies, for example, can begin with a discovery walk. As girls grow in their travel skills and experience and can better manage the planning process, they progress to longer trips.


Here are some examples of appropriate progression of events and trips:


Short trips to points of interest in the neighborhood (Daisies and older): A walk to the nearby garden or a short ride by car or public transportation to the firehouse or courthouse


Day trip (Brownies and older): An all-day visit to the point of historical or natural interest (bringing their own lunch) or a day-long trip to a nearby city (stopping at a restaurant for a meal)


Overnight trips (Brownies and older): One (or, possibly two) nights away to a state or national park, historic city, or nearby city for sightseeing, staying in a hotel, motel, or campground


Extended overnight trips (Juniors and older): Three or four nights camping or a stay in a hotel, motel, or hostel within a girl's home region (for example, within the Southeast)


National trips (Cadettes and older): Travel anywhere in the country, often lasting a week or more


International trips (Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors): Travel around the world, often requiring one or two years of preparation; when girls show an interest in traveling abroad, contact your council to get permission to plan the trip and download the Global Travel Toolkit, which is available at www.girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/travel


Of course, local trips that last a day or less aren't only for Daisies. On the contrary: short, local outings are an opportunity for girls of all grade levels to spend time with other Girl Scouts for all sorts of reasons. Girls may volunteer as a group to work with Habitat for Humanity on successive Saturdays to help build a house for a family, or they may get together for a long bike ride on a greenway or bike trail and end with a picnic lunch.


The leader must inform the council of any planned overnight trips and obtain needed permission. Appropriate learning courses must be completed.





Let's Review:

1) When traveling to other parts of the country, girls should research the area first to learn about local events, attractions, and opportunities.
     A)  True
     B)  False

2) The key for planning any trip with Girl Scouts is that the girls are emotionally ready and are prepared for it.
     A)  True
     B)  False

3) Disney World is a reasonable trip for Girl Scout Brownies from our council.
     A)  True
     B)  False

4) If safety is considered, Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors may travel anywhere in the world!
     A)  True
     B)  False

5) The leader must inform the council of any planned overnight trips and obtain needed permission.
     A)  True
     B)  False



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