Travel
In Girl Scouting, travel is about fun, exploration and progressive learning experiences to appreciate the outdoors, new places and other cultures. No matter what previous Girl Scouting involvement or experiences you have, there is a GSOSW travel opportunity for you! Come explore the world, develop leadership skills and learn about other places and cultures with Girl Scouts!
Travel Volunteers are Always Needed!
Find out how you can help »
Have questions about travel?
Contact Jennifer Akins at jakins@girlscoutsosw.org or toll free at (800) 433-9288 x 6405.
| Click on a topic to learn more about it: |
| GSOSW-sponsored Trips | GSUSA-sponsored Trips | Troop/Group Travel | Girl Scout Property Rental |
| Travel by Grade Level | Travel Partners & Hostelling Programs | Financing Girl Scout Travel | Travel Resources |
GSOSW-sponsored Trips
Council Sponsored Trips
These trips are open to all Girl Scout Cadettes–Ambassadors. Girls will travel in groups but not necessarily with their own troop members. Girls may travel in Oregon, the United States or internationally and travel costs vary accordingly. There is no application process for these trips. See trip listings for registration instructions. There is some financial assistance for these trips.
Travel Patrols
Travel patrols are open to Girl Scout Seniors–Ambassadors. They are designed to function like a troop from planning stages through the trip itself. Girls apply to travel patrols and once they are accepted, will meet and start getting to know their patrol. Girls gain important life skills and experience while learning how to plan and travel together as a group. There is some financial assistance for these trips.
GSUSA-sponsored Trips
destinations
This travel program is sponsored by Girl Scouts USA and gives girls the opportunity to participate in amazing trips all over the world and throughout the U.S. Girls will make friends, develop leadership skills, gain confidence and enjoy valuable learning opportunities. These opportunities are available to Girl Scout Cadettes – Ambassadors. Age requirements vary for each trip, check trip listings before applying. There is some financial assistance for these trips.
- Pick a trip!
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Print and complete the application. Drop it off at your local service center or email it to Jennifer Akins by 5:00 p.m. on the first Sunday of November.
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Register to attend a travel discovery weekend to fine tune your application and prepare for travel! This workshop is designed for girls who are thinking about or planning to go on a destination, council-sponsored trip or travel patrol. This is not a required workshop.
getaways
These short trips are hosted by program partners all over the U.S. There is no application process for these trips, just contact the Getaway host listed on the Girl Scouts USA travel website to sign up. Getaways are typically geared toward Girl Scout troops/groups and are great as a full trip or as part of a trip you are already planning!
You must also notify GSOSW that you are traveling on a getaway and be sure to complete all of the required extended travel paperwork.
Troop/Group Travel
Girl Scout Daisy–Ambassadors troops/groups can take day trips. Overnight trips are open to Brownies – Ambassadors. When planning troop/group travel, be sure to check what required trainings and information you need for Girl Scout troop/group travel, and review the Troop/Group Travel and Application Instructions.
- Before traveling with girls, the adult in charge must have completed all required trainings.
- For any type of travel away from a regular meeting place that will last more than 4 hours, you will need to complete a Notice of Intent to Travel (NOI) form.
- Trips lasting longer than 3 nights are called extended travel and require additional planning and paperwork.
- Many trips will require additional insurance.
Girl Scout Property Rental
Girl Scout Daisy – Ambassadors troops/groups can rent Girl Scouts OSW properties for the day. Overnight rentals are open to Brownies – Ambassadors troops/groups. Girl Scout troop/groups can rent Girl Scout properties locally, all over the US and the world!
Travel by Grade Level
In Girl Scouting, travel is about fun, exploration, and progressive experiences in appreciating the outdoors, new places and other cultures. As girls increase their confidence and skills, they can carry out activities that require more planning, take place farther away from home and utilize special skills.
For more information about troop/group travel and travel by grade level, refer to Volunteer Essentials.
Girl Scout Daisies
Help Daisies get ready for travel by offering suggestions, encouragement and direction. Since planning is new for girls at this age, offering choices between options is a great way to involve them in planning short trips.
Try taking short trips to points of interest in the neighborhood. A walk to the nearby garden or a short ride by car or public transportation to the firehouse or courthouse is a great first step for Daisies.
Get your girls thinking and dreaming about all the amazing travel they could do when they are old enough by inviting an older girl to speak to your troop/group. To schedule a talk, contact Jennifer Akins.
Girl Scout Brownies
Help Brownies get ready for travel by allowing space for girls to brainstorm, make their own plans and make mistakes (safely). Encourage each girl to share her opinions and ideas, direct activities and share responsibility.
Overnight trips are an important first step towards getting ready for bigger trips later on. 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 is a great way to start. These short trips are just long enough to whet their appetites, but not so long as to generate homesickness.
Get your girls thinking and dreaming about all the amazing travel they could do when they are old enough by inviting an older girl to speak to your troop/group. To schedule a talk, contact Jennifer Akins.
Girl Scout Juniors
Get ready for travel by starting small and gradually taking on more of the responsibility for travel. You’ll be amazed at how much you can handle! Girl Scouts is a safe place to try out new skills and sometimes make mistakes – that’s how we learn!
Girl-planned extended trips of three or four nights in a hotel, motel, or hostel within the girls’ home region are an excellent place to start. Girls should plan the activities they are interested in for these trips.
Get your girls thinking and dreaming about all the amazing travel they could do when they are old enough by inviting an older girl to speak to your troop/group. To schedule a talk, contact Jennifer Akins.
Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors
Now is your chance to explore new places and cultures, sample food and languages, and be the person you aspire to be. Make your way around the globe one trip at a time with Girl Scout travel.
As a Girl Scout Cadette- Ambassador, you can sign up for or apply for national trips (trips in the U.S.) and international trips (trip to other countries). It’s best to start with a national trip and work your way up to an international trip. Take a look at the GSOSW-sponsored trips and GSUSA destinations and getaways to find the right travel opportunity for you. There are many resources and workshops to help you get ready for that trip you’ve been dreaming about!
Inspire younger girls to start thinking and dreaming about all the amazing travel they could do when they are old enough by talking to their troop/group about your experiences. To schedule a talk, contact Jennifer Akins.
Travel Partners & Hostelling Programs
Our travel partners have excellent resources, programs and opportunities for Girl Scout Junior – Ambassador troops/groups. Be sure to check with travel partners to find out what current travel opportunities they offer for your troop/group’s grade level.
This is a great way for Girl Scout troops/groups who want to travel but need a little extra help to get started traveling! Learn what our travel partners have to offer at an information Session.
Hostelling offers a unique kind of travel that opens doors to self-discovery, intercultural exchange and new people and places. For questions or to schedule a workshop for your troop or group, contact their Education Program Coordinator at: programming@oregonhostels.org or call (503) 239-0030 x 201.
Hostelling International USA’s mission is “to help all, especially the young, gain a greater understanding of the world and its people through hostelling.” Hostelling offers a special kind of travel that opens doors to self-discovery, intercultural exchange and new people and places. Hostels are safe, clean, inexpensive accommodations that provide a base for exploring and learning. Equipped with dormitory-style rooms, common rooms and kitchens, hostels provide Girl Scouts a place for making friends and discovering new ways of thinking. Learn more and find out about the patch program for Girl Scouts by visiting hiusa.org/programs/girl_scouts. Local programs available to girls and volunteers:
For Domestic and International Trips. To get help planning your trip, contact:
Tish Losure, Director of Tour Development
1-888-532-2242 / Cell (314) 369-9023.
For Domestic Trips. To get help planning your trip, contact: Val Hubbard or Kate Dunn, Student Tour Specialists at (503) 653-3988.
Financing Girl Scout Travel
Raising money for travel can be challenging and sometimes even a bit daunting! It takes careful planning and skill to raise enough money for girls to travel. Whether through financial aid, Money-earning activities or product sales, there are several ways for Girl Scouts to get help with travel!
For information about Money-earning activities, come to information session.
Allowed Money-earning activities»
Travel Volunteers are always needed! Find out how you can help »
Financial Assistance & Council Sponsored Money-Earning Opportunities
Because want all girls to have an equal opportunity to participate in travel opportunities, the Travel Team has worked tirelessly to develop financial assistance and Money-earning opportunities to help girls travel regardless of their previous Girl Scouting involvement, travel experience or access to resources.
In order to be eligible for GSOSW Financial aid and council sponsored Money-earning opportunities, girls must:
- Be a GS Cadette or older
- Have participated (or made plans to participate) in a travel workshop
AND
- Have been accepted to a council sponsored trip, travel patrol or destination
Or
- Have been approved for extended troop/group travel
For more information about council sponsored money-earning activities, contact Callie Vandewiele.
Financial assistance information»
Council sponsored Money-earning activities Information »
Travel Resources