All About Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts' dreams are our dreams.

A Girl Scout builds a better world-just as Girl Scouts have been doing for over a century.

With programs in every zip code, coast-to-coast and around the globe, everyone can find their place in Girl Scouts and start creating the world they want to see.

Council Information

About Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (GSSEM) toggle arrow

Chartered by Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (GSSEM) brings the excitement and adventure of Girl Scouting to our region.

In Girl Scouting, girls come together to discover fun, friendship, strength, knowledge, and independence. They find out who they are and what they're passionate about through a multitude of experiences that spark their imaginations, build their confidence, and celebrate every accomplishment.

Caring adult volunteers support and mentor girls as well as foster an environment where girls feel a sense of belonging, are willing to try new things, overcome fears, and—most of all—have fun.

Council Structure

GSSEM is comprised of nine counties in southeastern Michigan. It's geographically divided into 12 communities, which are subdivided into 31 service units.

GSSEM Counties

Oakland
Macomb
Genesee

Lapeer
St Clair
Sanilac

Wayne*
Monroe*

Communities are made up of two to four service units and strongly emphasize local programs, events, and volunteer support.

Certain areas only; not the entire county.

GSSEM Locations toggle arrow

Our council has six service centers and two camps.

Clinton Twp Service Center
42800 Garfield Rd
Clinton Twp, MI 48038
Store hours | Directions »

Detroit Service Center
1333 Brewery Park Blvd, Ste 500
Detroit, MI 48207
Directions »

Flint Service Center
5400 Gateway Centre Dr, Suite B
Flint, MI 48507
Directions »

Port Huron Service Center
Birchwood Mall
4350 24th Ave, Space 518
Fort Gratiot, MI 48059
Directions »

Southgate Service Center
1 Heritage Place, Ste 130
Southgate, MI 48195
Directions »

White Lake Service Center
8545 Highland Rd
White Lake, MI 48386
Directions »

Camp Hawthorn Hollow (CHH)
1046 Mayer Rd
Columbus, MI 48063
Directions »

Camp Playfair (CPF)
3135 Lakeshore Rd
Lexington, MI 48450
Directions »

Council Support toggle arrow

GSSEM offers many ways to support our volunteers.

Council Website

At www.gssem.org, you can access information about upcoming Girl Scout events, essential forms, and other council information. Log into MyGS from our website to manage your Girl Scout account and access helpful resources like Rallyhood and gsLearn.

Social Media

Follow Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (@GSSEM) on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We also recommend joining a Facebook group for your service unit and/or community social media to connect and share with volunteers near you.

To identify your service unit or community number, please visit www.gssem.org/mysu and use the "What's My Service Unit?" tool.

Council Staff

GSSEM staff are here to support you. If you're not sure whom to contact, please call 800-482-6734 and our receptionist will connect you with the right person.

These departments may assist with many common volunteer inquiries:

Customer Care - [email protected]
Answers general questions (e.g. council shop hours, Girl Scout Cookie Program dates, etc). They also assist with Girl Scout memberships, background checks, and event registration inquiries.
Finance - [email protected]
Answers questions about establishing troop bank accounts, managing troop finances, and submitting Annual Troop Finance Reports.
Member Support - [email protected]
Answers questions related to the troop experience and GSSEM policies.
Product Program - [email protected]
Answers questions about the Fall Product and Girl Scout Cookie Programs
Recruitment - [email protected]
Assists with organizing recruitment events at schools, houses of worship, and other locations in the community.
Volunteer Experience - [email protected]
Answers questions regarding mandatory Girl Scout volunteer training—such as Troop Leader Orientation and Grade-Level Essentials—and assists with using Rallyhood and gsLearn.

Administrative Volunteers

Administrative volunteers are local, behind-the-scenes volunteers who support troops and troop leaders.

In your area, you may have:

Adult Learning Facilitator
A volunteer who provides learning opportunities for adult volunteers.
Highest Awards Committee Member
A committee member who advises and mentors girls in the planning, implementation, and documentation of Gold Award Take Action projects.
Outdoor Facilitator
A volunteer who aids in the delivery of high-quality outdoor education programming for Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan.
Product Program Committee
Council-wide volunteers who assist GSSEM with many aspects of Girl Scout product programs, including answering volunteer questions related to the Fall Product and Girl Scout Cookie Programs.
Service Unit Manager
A service unit volunteer who provides support to troop leaders based on their own troop leadership experience. They also organize regular service unit meetings throughout the school year to allow troop volunteers to network and share.
Service unit managers may also work with:
- Communications Liaison
  A service unit volunteer who manages service unit social media accounts and other communications on behalf of the service unit.
- First-Year Leader Mentor
  A service unit volunteer who supports new troop leaders and co-leaders during their first year of service.
- Resource Champion
  A service unit volunteer who assists troop leaders with accessing forms as well as using gsLearn and the Volunteer Toolkit.
- Welcome Champion
  A service unit volunteer who welcomes new volunteers into the service unit and assists them with the onboarding process.

Troop Organizer

A service unit volunteer who supports recruitment efforts within a school district.

GSUSA Information

Girl Scout Volunteers toggle arrow

Girl Scout volunteers are a dynamic and diverse group. Whether you're a recent college graduate, parent, retiree, or really, anyone with a sense of curiosity and adventure (of any gender, who is 18 years or older and has passed GSSEM's screening process), your unique skills and experiences have the power to change girls' lives. With you as their mentor, girls will grow and thrive.

Girl Scout members and volunteers are united by the values in the Girl Scout Promise and Law and their shared commitment to embrace leadership in all forms.

Each member agrees to follow Girl Scouts' safety guidelines and pay annual membership dues: $45 for girls and $30 for adults. Volunteers and adults also have the option to purchase a lifetime membership.

Girl Scout Grade Levels toggle arrow

Girls can join the fun at any point from kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Girl Scouts' six grade levels are:

Girl Scout Daisy (grades K–1)
Girl Scout Brownie (grades 2–3)
Girl Scout Junior (grades 4–5)
Girl Scout Cadette (grades 6–8)
Girl Scout Senior (grades 9–10)
Girl Scout Ambassador (grades 11–12)

Inclusion

Girl Scouts has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, and we welcome and embrace individuals of all abilities and backgrounds into our wonderful sisterhood.

Inclusion is at the core of who we are; it's about being a sister to every Girl Scout and celebrating our unique strengths. To create an inclusive environment, the most important thing is that each Girl Scout feels seen for who they are and what they bring to the group. Through treating all Girl Scouts with kindness and respect, you can nurture an inclusive troop environment. Part of the important work you will do includes modeling friendship and kindness for your Girl Scouts and showing them what it means to practice empathy.

A critical component of inclusion is that everyone is able to participate. When scheduling, planning, and carrying out activities, carefully consider the needs of everyone involved, including school schedules, family needs, financial constraints, dietary requirements, religious holidays, and the accessibility of appropriate transportation and meeting places.

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) toggle arrow

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE): A variety of activities plus supportive relationships plus the three Girl Scout processes equals the five Girl Scout outcomes. The GSLE is experienced in regular meetings, in activities, in emotionally and physically safe spaces, and through Girl Scout Traditions.

In Girl Scouts, everything centers around the Girl Scout. Our program is designed by, with, and for Girl Scouts. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) is our research-based impact model that describes what members do in Girl Scouts, who they do it with, how they do it, and how they benefit. This framework should be a blueprint for every activity that your Girl Scouts participate in. When planning your year, make sure that you're implementing all parts of the GSLE regularly.

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience has been purposefully designed to include a variety of fun and challenging activities to help Girl Scouts learn, grow, and thrive. Girl Scouts have the opportunity to take on leadership roles and learn-by-doing in a safe, fun, and cooperative environment.

When we say a variety of activities, this means that Girl Scouts participate in at least four out of the five of the following:

National Program Portfolio (badges and awards)
Outdoor or camping experience
Community service and/or Take Action
Field trip and/or events
Cookie Program

Supportive relationships mean that troop leaders care about their troop, encourage their creative thinking, are inclusive, and provide a safe space. As a result, Girl Scouts experience positive relationships with their peers and a feeling of belonging. As a supportive adult, you are crucial to the success of the Girl Scout Program. Supportive adult relationships are strongly linked to experiencing the GSLE with a strong dependency between the supportive adult and the three processes. When Girl Scouts feel supported and safe, they are more likely to achieve our outcomes and ultimately our mission.

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience draws on three unique processes—Girl-led, Learning by Doing, and Cooperative Learning—that encourage girls to try new things, write their own stories, and develop the skills and confidence to say, “I know I can do this!”

Girl-led. Girl Scouts take the lead, no matter their age. From selecting the badges they'll pursue to how they'll organize an activity; Girl Scouts have the chance to follow their dreams and grow their skills—and gain the confidence that comes with that.
Learning by Doing. Hands-on activities are fun for Girl Scouts of any age, but they also help them feel empowered to shape their own experience. Girl Scouts unlock their “I got this” attitude as they discover they can always dust themselves off and try again when things don't go according to plan.
Cooperative Learning. There's power in having a tight-knit group of friends who will learn with you, grow with you, and always cheer you on. Girl Scouts see firsthand that teamwork, respect, and collaboration can fuel them through any challenge that comes their way.

As a volunteer, you'll draw on these three processes as you lead girls of any age. And naturally, girl-led at the Daisy level will look very different from girl-led at the Ambassador level. What is most important is that your Girl Scouts make decisions about the activities they will do together and make choices as they're doing the activities together. As girls learn from their successful, and not so successful tries, they gain confidence. All girls should have the opportunity to lead within their peer group. By the time girls are Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors, they will be using the leadership skills they've developed to take on more ownership of their activities, mentor younger Girl Scouts, and take action to make the world a better place.

And finally, when we incorporate a variety of activities, supportive adults, and the three processes, Girl Scouts experience the 5 GSLE outcomes:

Strong Sense of Self. Girl Scouts have confidence in themselves and their abilities and form positive identities.
Positive Values. Girl Scouts act ethically, honestly, and responsibly, and show concern for others.
Challenge Seeking. Girl Scouts learn to take appropriate risks, try things even if they might fail, and learn from mistakes.
Healthy Relationships. Girl Scouts develop and maintain healthy relationships by communicating their feelings directly and resolving conflicts constructively.
Community Problem Solving. Girl Scouts desire to contribute to the world in purposeful and meaningful ways, learn how to identify problems in the community, and create "action plans" to solve them.

The outcomes occur as a result of regular meetings and activities including Girl Scout traditions, in an emotionally and physically safe space, with a supportive adult.

Although they may start building their leadership skills in school and on sports teams, research shows that the courage, confidence, and character Girl Scouts develop stays with them throughout their lives. Our program and outcomes are based on research and our studies show that Girl Scouting has a measurable positive impact on Girl Scouts. In fact, we can proudly say Girl Scouts are almost 10 percent more likely than non-Girl Scouts to have positive expectations about their future based on our studies. We encourage you to learn more about our program and outcomes as you check out our studies and in-depth research for insights and information.

One last tip about following these processes. Girl Scouting isn't a to-do list, so please don't feel that checking activities off a list is more important than tuning in to what interests girls and sparks their imaginations. Projects don't have to come out perfectly—in fact, it's a valuable learning experience when they don't—Girl Scouts don't have to fill their vests and sashes with badges. What matters most is the fun and learning that takes place as they make experience their own, so don't be afraid to step back and let your girls take the lead.

Reflection toggle arrow

Was a badge-earning activity a resounding success? Or was it derailed by something your troop hadn't factored in? No matter the activity's outcome, you can amplify its impact by encouraging your girls to reflect on their latest endeavor.

Reflection is the necessary debrief that reinforces what girls learned. As your Girl Scouts explore the what's and why's, they'll make meaningful connections between the activity at hand and future challenges that come their way. In other words, reflection gives girls the confidence boost they need to pick themselves up, try again, and succeed.

Keep in mind that reflection does not need to be a formal process, but you can kick-start the conversation with three simple questions: What? So what? and Now what?

What? Go over the “what” of the activity. For example, ask:

What did we do today?
What part was your favorite?
If we did it again, what would you want to do differently and what would you want to repeat?

So what? Next, move to the “so what.” You might ask:

So, what did you learn by doing this activity?
So, what did you learn about yourself?
So, what did you learn about your community (or environment, school, or others) that you didn't know before?
Why do you think this activity was important?
What key learning can we take with us?

Last, review the now what. Say something like:

Now that we've done this, what would you like to do next?
Now that you know this about yourselves, what would you like to try next?
Now that we've completed this Take Action™ project, what do you think we should do next to make sure it continues?
Given this experience, what's more of a priority to you now?
What are you curious to learn more about?
Where would you like to go?
Who would you like to meet?

This form of reflection, or whatever style of reflection you choose to use with your girls, is a powerful component of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience that helps girls to carry these lessons with them for the rest of their lives.

Progression toggle arrow

Although program elements—like outdoor expeditions or entrepreneurial ventures—align across all grade levels, Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors won't be doing the same activities as Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors. But with your support, Girl Scouts will be ready for what comes when they get there!

Girl Scout programming is designed to be progressive and it's what makes Girl Scouting fun and effective! By building on the knowledge and skills they gain year after year, your girls' confidence will grow exponentially, and they'll be eager to try new things and take on new challenges. As a volunteer, you will cultivate a supportive, nonjudgmental space where your Girl Scouts can test their skills and be unafraid to fail.

Keep in mind that progression drives success for your troop and consider that it is not about grade or age, but experience. Click on the following links for outlined suggestions that will help you determine when your Girl Scouts are ready for their next outdoor challenge, their next troop trip, or their next cookie-selling challenge.

The Girl Scout Program: National Program Pillars & More toggle arrow

Girl Scouts' four Program Pillars—STEM, Life Skills, Outdoors, and Entrepreneurship—form the foundation of the Girl Scout program and work together to build girls' curiosity, kindness, and can-do spirit. In fact, every aspect of our program, and every Girl Scout adventure, can be traced back to one of our four program pillars.

STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Girls are naturally curious and have a strong desire to help others. Whether they're building a robot, developing a video game, or studying the stars, Girl Scouts become better problem-solvers and critical thinkers through STEM and gain the confidence to turn their ideas into breakthrough inventions to help others.
Life Skills
Girl Scouts life skills programming includes a mix of practical skills, tools, and activities that foster positive values in girls like financial literacy, civic engagement, and community service. Skills that help them discover that they have what it takes to raise their voices as community advocates, make smart decisions about their finances, and form strong, healthy relationships—skills that inspire them to accept challenges and overcome obstacles, now and always.
Outdoors
Girl Scouts has been building girls' outdoor confidence and skills for over one hundred years through a variety of outdoor adventures like camping and nature focused badges that inspire them to spend time outdoors and develop a lifelong appreciation of nature. An appreciation that sparks girls' desire to take action as environmental stewards in their community and across the globe.
Entrepreneurship
Starting with Girl Scouts' iconic Girl Scout Cookie Program and growing to include the fall product program and a Series of entrepreneurship badges, this pillar instills and nurtures an entrepreneurial mindset and fuels girls' curiosity and confidence as they learn the essentials of running their own businesses and how to think like entrepreneurs.

Important Differences: Community Service and Take Action Projects toggle arrow

As your Girl Scouts look for meaningful ways to give back to their community, you can help sharpen their problem-solving skills and expand their definition of doing good by discussing community service and Take Action projects. Both projects serve essential needs, but at different levels .

When a Girl Scout performs community service, she is responding to an immediate need in a one-off, "doing for" capacity. In other words, she is making an impact right now.
Through Take Action/service learning, girls explore the root causes of a community need and address it in a lasting way; they truly make the world—or their part of it—a better place.

If your troop members want to pursue their Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award, they'll develop a Take Action project on an issue that's close to their hearts. To make Take Action projects even more impactful for your Girl Scouts, set time aside for them to reflect on their projects. When they take time to internalize the lessons they've learned, they're more likely to find success in their future projects—or anything else they put their minds to.

For more information on Take Action projects, check out the Take Action Short & Snappy on gsLearn.

Traditions, Ceremonies, and Special Girl Scout Days toggle arrow

Time-honored traditions and ceremonies unite Girl Scout sisters, and the millions of Girl Scout alums who came before them—around the country and around the globe—and remind girls how far their fellow trailblazers have come and just how far they'll go.

A few of those extra special days, when you will want to turn up the celebrations, include:

Juliette Gordon Low's birthday or Founder's Day, October 31, marks the birth in 1860 of Girl Scouts of the USA founder Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia.
World Thinking Day, February 22, celebrates international friendship. It is an opportunity for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides to connect with each other and explore a common theme around the world.
Girl Scouts' birthday, March 12, commemorates the day in 1912 when Juliette Gordon Low officially registered the organization's first eighteen girl members in Savannah, Georgia.

Whether they're working on a new badge, making new friends, or closing meetings with a friendship circle, your troop won't want to miss out on Girl Scouts' treasured traditions, ceremonies, and special Girl Scout days. We embrace fresh perspectives and innovation from our rich cultural legacy. We continuously review norms and traditions evolving over time to ensure they are relevant and equitable. Sometimes that may involve modifying or sunsetting traditions to make way for new ones.

Learn more about different types of ceremonies troops enjoy on gsLearn, including a general overview found in the Girl Scout Ceremonies Short & Snappy as well as courses on specific ceremonies like bridging ceremonies and flag ceremonies.

Highest Awards toggle arrow

The Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards honor girls who become forces for good and create a lasting impact in their communities, nationally and around the world.

As your Girl Scouts discover the power of their voices, they'll want to take on an issue that is close to their hearts and meaningful to them. Encourage them to turn their ideas into reality by pursuing Girl Scouts' Highest Awards.

The Girl Scout Bronze Award can be earned by Juniors. The prerequisite is 1) completion of one Junior Journey and the associated Take Action project or 2) earning a Junior Leadership Award. The Bronze Award is earned by the group.
The Girl Scout Silver Award can be earned by Cadettes. The prerequisite is 1) completion of one Cadette Journey -OR- Cadette Leadership Award, or 2) earning the Girl Scout Bronze Award. and the associated Take Action project. The Silver Award can be earned by an individual girl or by a small group.
The Girl Scout Gold Award can be earned by Seniors and Ambassadors who have 1) completed either two Girl Scout Senior/Ambassador-level Journeys and the associated Take Action project -OR- a Senior/Ambassador Leadership Award, or 2) earned the Girl Scout Silver Award.

Did you know that a Gold Award Girl Scout is entitled to enlist at a higher pay grade when they join the U.S. military? A Gold Award Girl Scout's achievements also make them stand out in the college admissions process and may make them a top candidate for academic scholarships and other financial merit awards.

Girl Scouts are eligible to earn any recognition at the grade level at which they are registered. Any Girl Scout is eligible to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award even if she joined Girl Scouts for the first time in high school.

Contact the GSSEM Program team about Girl Scout Gold Award Girl Scouts in your community and how they're doing their part to make the world a better place. For inspiration, consider inviting a local Gold Award Girl Scout to speak to your troop about how they took the lead and made a difference. You'll be inspired when you see and hear what they can accomplish when they take the lead—and by the confidence, perseverance, problem-solving, time and project management, and team-building expertise they gain while doing so!

Girl Scout Travel toggle arrow

Girl Scouts encourages members to try new things and explore the world, both inside and outside of their usual troop meetings.

Traveling as a Girl Scout is a more engaging experience than traveling with family, school, or other groups because Girl Scouts take the lead. They'll make important decisions about where to go and what to do and take increasing responsibility for the planning of their trips. During this process, they will also build their organizational and management skills—skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Girl Scout travel is built on a progression of activities, so members are set up for success. Daisies and Brownies start with field trips and progress to day trips, overnights, and short trips. Juniors can take their adventures farther with extended trips. Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors can travel the U.S. and then the world. There are even opportunities for older Girl Scouts to travel independently by joining trips their council organizes or participating in GSUSA's travel program, Destinations.

Learn more about group travel, and refer to the Travel/Trips Checkpoint in the Safety Activity Checkpoints for more information about travel and activity approval.

Travel & Girl Scout Program Connections toggle arrow

It's easy to connect eye-opening travel opportunities to the leadership training and skill-building your troop is doing!

Girl Scouts can use their creativity to connect any badge skill to travel ideas. For example, they learn about foods from various regions and countries in the New Cuisines badge, which would connect well with a trip focusing on agriculture, culture, and sampling tasty foods! There are plenty more examples, such as the Senior Traveler badge, Eco Camper, Photographer, and, of course, all the financial badges that help Girl Scouts budget and earn money for their trips.

Want to include Girl Scout traditions in your trip? Look no further than the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace in Savannah, Georgia! Your girls also have the chance to deepen their connections to Girl Scouts around the world by visiting one of the WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) World Centers, which offer low-cost accommodations and special programs in five locations around the world.

Many councils across the U.S. also have properties to rent to traveling troops or programs traveling troops can join—check out this map! And if your troop is looking to stay closer to home this year, email the GSSEM Camp team at [email protected] about council-owned camps and other facilities that can be rented out, or programs they may have planned for troops.

As your Girl Scouts excitedly plan their next trip, remember to limit your role to facilitating their brainstorming and planning, never doing the work for them. Share your ideas and insights, ask tough questions when you have to, and support all their decisions with enthusiasm and encouragement!

Planning Troop Adventures toggle arrow

Please email [email protected] as soon as you start thinking about planning a trip to learn about our approval process for overnight and extended travel.

Our website offers information on planning local, national, and international troop travel as well as Girl Scout Destinations. Also, check out our event list for upcoming Preparing Your Troop for Travel training dates.

When scheduling troop travel, plan to secure approval from [email protected] for all activities occurring on the trip that require approval as listed in Safety Activity Checkpoints. When traveling internationally, in addition to securing activity approval for all activities requiring council approval, troops/groups must submit the following to [email protected] to secure approval for their trip:

Troop/Group Travel – International Trip or Cruise Requirements

Intent for International Travel—submit to [email protected] six months before international travel.
- This form is NOT required for travel to Canada). You will be notified of the decision of your request within (10) business days of receipt of this form. The Intent for International Travel form must be approved before the girls proceed with further planning.
Permission for Minors to Travel Internationally
Authorization for Medical Treatment for Minors
Authorization for Medical Treatment for Adults
Detailed itinerary including all troop/group activities
Troop/group roster for all participants in the travel experience (youth and adult).
Any specialized equipment that will be used, if applicable.
Required agreements or contracts (for example, hiring a bus, use of premises).
Troops/groups may also wish to collect the Troop Travel Participant Behavioral Agreement.
For international trips, troops/groups must contact GSSEM at least 4–6 weeks before the start of your trip to purchase Additional Accident and/or Sickness Insurance.
- Additional insurance must be purchased for the entire period of the travel (including departure and return days) for 100% of participants. PLAN 3PI (International Accident and Sickness Insurance, is REQUIRED for international travel). For questions or to purchase insurance, contact our Office Manager at (313) 870-2514.

Visiting Canada

Day Trip or Overnight
Due to our unique geographic border with Canada, troops/groups crossing the border from Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan's jurisdiction and staying for one night or less do not need to submit the Intent for International Travel form to Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan.
Two Nights or More
Troops/groups who are staying in Canada overnight for two nights or longer, or are entering Canada from areas outside of GSSEM's jurisdiction, must follow the Troop/Group Travel: International Trip or Cruise Requirements.

Remember that the international Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires U.S. and Canadian travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and proof of citizenship when entering the U.S. or Canada.

A valid U.S. passport, an enhanced driver's license, or a NEXUS card meets the requirements of WHTI. Children under 16 need a birth certificate.

Consult with the U.S. State Department's website for travel information for U.S. citizens traveling into Canada (especially when traveling with minors), as requirements may change without notice.
U.S. Passport information »

Not sure where to begin?

Check out the Girl Scout Guide to U.S. Travel. This resource is designed for Juniors and older Girl Scouts who want to take extended trips—that is, longer than a weekend—but also features tips and tools for budding explorers who are just getting started with field trips and overnights.

Once girls have mastered planning and embarking upon trips in the United States, they might be ready for a global travel adventure! Global trips usually take a few years to plan, and the Girl Scout Global Travel Toolkit can walk you through the entire process.

Please email [email protected] as soon as you start thinking about planning a trip to learn about our approval process for overnight and extended travel.

Our website offers information on planning local, national, and international troop travel as well as Girl Scout Destinations. Also, check out our event list for upcoming Troop Travel training dates.

Prior to scheduling troop travel, please review the following GSSEM guidelines to ensure your troop is ready for your travel experience:

Troop/Group Travel – International Trip or Cruise Requirements
- There are many opportunities for troops/groups to visit other countries on trips they've planned or through organized tour groups, such as EF Tours.
- Troops/groups must always consult the U.S. State Department Web site at state.gov/travelers for travel alerts, warnings, requirements for passports, travel safety tips, etc.
- International travel forms that troops/groups are required to complete are available on our website, at www.gssem.org/forms.
- The Intent for International Travel form must be completed and submitted to Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan [email protected] by all troops/groups three to six months prior to international travel.
  - Please submit the form even if you cannot provide all of the information in its entirety due to planning with a tour company. Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan staff will work with each individual group as they progress through the planning process.
  - The form includes directions for submitting to Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan. (This form is NOT required for travel to Canada). You will be notified of the decision of your request within ten business days of receipt of this form. The Intent for International Travel Form must be approved before the girls proceed with further planning.
  - Please submit the following documentation with the Intent for International Travel form:
    - An itinerary of the trip listing hotels, cities, and modes of transportation.
    - A roster of all participants (girls and adults) along with their emergency contact information.
- For international trips, troops/groups must contact GSSEM at least 4–6 weeks prior to the start of your trip to purchase Additional Accident and/or Sickness Insurance.
  - Additional insurance must be purchased for the entire period of the travel (including departure and return days) for 100% of the participants. PLAN 3PI (International Accident and Sickness Insurance, is REQUIRED for International Travel). For questions or to purchase insurance, contact our Office Manager at (313) 870-2514.
Visiting Canada
- Day Trip or Overnight
  Due to our unique geographic border with Canada, troops/groups crossing the border from Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan's jurisdiction and staying for one night or less do not need to submit an Intent for International Travel form to Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan.
  - Remember that the international Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) requires U.S. and Canadian travelers to present a passport or other document that denotes identity and proof of citizenship when entering the U.S. or Canada.
  - A valid U.S. passport, an enhanced driver's license, or a NEXUS card meets the requirements of WHTI. Children under 16 need a birth certificate.
  - Consult with the U.S. State Department's website for travel information for U.S. citizens traveling into Canada (especially when traveling with minors), as requirements may change without notice.
    U.S. Passport information »
- Two Nights or More
  Troops/groups who are staying in Canada overnight for two nights or longer, or are entering Canada from areas outside of GSSEM's jurisdiction, must follow the Troop/Group Travel: International Trip or Cruise Requirements.
Any specialized equipment that will be used, if applicable.
Required agreements or contracts (for example, hiring a bus, use of premises).

Safety First toggle arrow

If you're planning any kind of trip—from a short field trip to an overseas expedition—the "Trip and Travel" section of Safety Activity Checkpoints is your go-to resource for safety.

For troop travel and activity approval, please email [email protected]. Be sure to follow all the basic safety guidelines, like the buddy system and first aid requirements, in addition to the specific guidelines for travel. You'll also want to refer to the COVID-19 guidelines in Safety Activity Checkpoints as well as any COVID-19 guidelines for your destination. You will learn more about how to use and follow Girl Scouts' Safety Activity Checkpoints in the next section.

© Copyright 2009–2025 Girl Scouts of the United States of America. All rights reserved. All information and material contained in Girl Scouts' Volunteer Essentials guide ("Material") is provided by Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) and is intended to be educational material solely to be used by Girl Scout volunteers and council staff. Reproduction, distribution, compiling, or creating derivative works of any portion of the Material or any use other than noncommercial uses as permitted by copyright law is prohibited, unless explicit, prior authorization by GSUSA in writing was granted. GSUSA reserves its exclusive right in its sole discretion to alter, limit, or discontinue the Material at any time without notice.