When I was a senior in high school, I went on a trip to Brazil as part of a service project with a community youth group. The experience was incredibly transformative. I left with acquaintances and came home with close friends. I learned so many new things, not only about the culture of Brazil, but also about myself. I returned a more confident person with a better sense of self and purpose.
Traveling can do that.
Whether you are half-way across the world or simply exploring a new part of town, travel encourages discovery, connection, and makes us want to take action and improve the world around us. Not only is planning and going on a trip a great bonding experience, it also teaches girls the importance of researching, planning ahead, budgeting, and safety.
There is a variety of travel options available to Girl Scouts:
Troop trips
Much like camp, troop trips follow a progression: start small with a field trip, then try an overnight, and eventually build to more extended trips. When planning a trip be sure to fill out the appropriate paperwork and receive any necessary approval from council.
GSUSA Destinations
GSUSA Destinations are special coordinated trips for individual girls, ages 11 to 17. These trips bring Girl Scouts on adventures across the United States and the world.
GSUSA Getaways
Getaways are Girl Scouts of the USA sponsored and planned troop trips that last two to four days in length. They go all over the United States and include a wide array of activities such as taking in Broadway shows, going to Girl Scout Jamborees, and exploring national attractions. Learn about upcoming Getaways.
Girl Scouts River Valleys trips
Local volunteers are working with Girl Scouts River Valleys to create travel adventures for River Valleys Girl Scouts. One of our upcoming trips is to Savannah, Georgia, the birthplace of Girl Scouts founder, Juliette Gordon Low! This trip is for girls grades 6-12. The trip will be in June of 2016, but meetings for this adventure start in September, so if you’re interested, now is the time to let us know!
If you have a girl or troop that is thinking about traveling with Girl Scouts, be sure to visit these planning resources first:
And–as always–if you have questions, contact us at girlscouts@girlscoutsrv.org or at 800-845-0787. We would love to assist you in planning your next trip and let you know about all of the options available to you.
Brianna Belmore – As a Troop Support Specialist turned Communications Specialist at River Valleys, Brianna loves connecting with volunteers and spreading the word about the awesome things happening throughout the council. In addition to being socially savvy and design inclined, she enjoys knitting, cross-stitching, and puzzling with Netflix going strong in the background. Brianna’s a self-proclaimed rooftop patio enthusiast and loves exploring the Twin Cities with friends and family.