Overnight Trips
Day Field Trips to Trips of 1 or 2 nights
Learning Objectives
This course will prepare troops/groups to hold activities
beyond the regular troop meeting to two overnight.
At the completing of this course, participants will be able to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
understand and apply the concept of progression in the context of
planning overnight trips
evaluate and improve the readiness of the troop/;group for activities
beyond the regular troop meeting
demonstrate familiarity with Safety Activity Checkpoints, Volunteer
Essentials (Chapter Four and Appendix: For Travel Volunteers) and
emergency procedures
identify planning steps for a troop activity beyond the regular troop
meeting
locate and complete paperwork required for a troop/group trip
list at least three ways to involve everyone in planning activities
describe three trips that are appropriate to the grade level of the
troop/group.
Table of Contents
Evaluation
Celebrating Success
Appendix A: Forms
Appendix B: Sample Troop Progression
Appendix C: CO Child Restraint Laws
Appendix D: Insurance Information
Evaluation
Page 1 of 4
Evaluation provides the troop with valuable information to use in setting goals or choosing
activities for the future. Everyone should participate in assessing the process and the
outcomes of the activity/project. This is an opportunity for the girls in the troop to
brainstorm questions that will help them appraise the success of their goals. Questions to
ask might include: Was the activity fun? Did it accomplish what we set out to do? Could
we have done it differently? Would the troop/group want to do it again? It is important
that the girls be honest in their evaluation, without being destructive. Evaluate along the
way and adjust goals as necessary. Discuss the lessons learned from mistakes.
The final step in any event is the evaluation. Actually putting the girls’ comments down in
writing will help you when you’re planning for the next trip. Below is a sample evaluation.
If the event planners provide an evaluation form, it goes back to the event planners and
the troop adults won’t see it. At the next troop meeting, make sure to take the time to
talk about the event, the fun as well as what might not have gone right.
Share your experiences and photos on the GSCO blog.
Evaluation example 1
Trip Evaluation
What was the best thing about this field trip or overnight event?
Is there some part of the event we would like to do over again? If yes, what?
What could have done better?
What would we leave out?
Were we prepared for this event?
Other comments:
Page 2 of 4
Evaluation example 2
For younger girls
Page 3 of 4
Girl Evaluation
What we did: _______________________________________________________
Draw a circle around the picture that shows how you liked what we did.
KEY:
1. Did you enjoy what we did?
YES
NO
2. Do you want to do it again?
3. What did you like best? ______________________________________________
4. Would you change anything? ___________________________________________
If yes, what? _____________________________________________________
5. What would you like to do next time? ____________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Evaluation example 3
For older girls
Page 4 of 4
Troop Trip Evaluation: 2012–2013 Troop Trips
1. On a scale of 1 (one of the worst experiences of my life!) to OVERALL TROOP
5 (Awesome! Super! Stupendous!), please rate the following:
TRIP EVALUATION
Awful
Mediocre
Awesome
Government Tour
1
2
3
4
5
Museum
1
2
3
4
5
Other:
1
2
3
4
5
Dinner at
1
2
3
4
5
Hotel Overnight
1
2
3
4
5
Zoo
1
2
3
4
5
Other:
1
2
3
4
5
Dinner at
1
2
3
4
5
Overnight at GS property
1
2
3
4
5
Theater
1
2
3
4
5
Dinner at
1
2
3
4
5
Other:
1
2
3
4
5
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Did you learn anything
new on this trip? (Give
an example, please.)
What was your favorite
part of this trip?
What would you have
changed to improve this
trip?
Ideas/Suggestions for
our next Troop Trip.
Any other comments
you’d like to share:
Your name (optional):
Celebrating Success
Page 1 of 1
Webster’s definition of celebrate is to observe (a day or event) with ceremonies
of respect, rejoicing, festivity or simply to praise. It does not define the
magnitude of the day or event, so we should not either. Celebrating the troop’s
success along the way to reaching the girls’ goals will only enhance the reward of
achieving the goal. So – celebrate even the littlest accomplishments as well as
the grand end results.
Establish milestones to their goals and use these milestones for measuring their
success and celebrating. Are all permission slips in on time? CELEBRATE! Did
girls who did not participate last year, participate this year? CELEBRATE! Did
each girl reach her personal goal ? CELEBRATE! Did the troop reach its money
earning goal? CELEBRATE! All of these are successes to be proud of and
celebrated.
The celebrations don’t have to be elaborate. For example, keep some Hershey
Kisses on hand and give each girl a Kiss when all permission slips are turned in!
Appendix A
Page 1 of 4
Forms/Permission/Paperwork
These are the links to finding forms you will need in order to take a troop/group
on a trip:
o All forms are available in the “Forms” section of GS of Colorado Guide for
Volunteers or download them from www.gscolorado.org/forms
o Getaways:
o http://www.gscolorado.org/troop-travel
o http://www.gscolorado.org/volunteer/travel
o GSUSA: http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/global/travel_toolkit.asp
o GSCO property reservation form: this is a fillable form for troops to request
a reservation at any of the GSCO properties around the state.
http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/properties
Appendix A
Page 2 of 4
Forms/Permission/Paperwork
 Travel and High Risk Activity Applications – submit to your Membership
Manager at least four weeks prior to the trip –
http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/travel-forms
 Parent Permission for Girl Scout Activity (fillable and bilingual) needs to
be filled out by the parent/guardian of every girl in your troop each time
you plan a trip with your troop/group for more than six hours including one
and two night trips http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/forms
 How to Bank and Redeem Cookie Credits – this gives details on how to
use cookie credits http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/forms
 Money Earning Application http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/forms
with Troop Leader Forms
Appendix A
Page 3 of 4
Forms/Permission/Paperwork
Health Forms
 Girl Health History Form
(fillable and bilingual) should be filled out by
parents/guardians and updated with their initials and returned to the troop leader to be kept on
file with registration forms. Copies of these forms will “travel” with the troop whenever they
plan an even that takes them away from regular meeting time and/or place. Updates to Health
History may be provided on Parent Permission form as needed. Note space for this purpose on
permission form. http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/forms
 Adult Heath History
(fillable and bilingual) to be filled out by ALL adult participants who
are actively involved with Girl Scouts including parents who are helping with girls
http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/forms
 Parent Emergency Information form: for listing the girl’s emergency contacts and
phone numbers http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/forms
 Medication Permission Form: this form is needed for any over-the-counter medications
or prescriptions for all persons on the trip. Bug-spray, sunscreen, Tylenol, etc., all need to be
listed on this form for the first-aider http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/forms
 First Aid Log
 Accident/Illness/Injury Report
 Emergency Plan for Girl Scout Groups Cards: a card that should be kept by every
adult member going on the trip. It contains the procedures to be applied in the event of serious
accident, emergency or fatality. Ask membership Manager for them.
Appendix A
Page 4 of 4
Forms/Permission/Paperwork
Other Forms
 Driver Information Record
this is an optional form for Trip Advisors to use a s a
resource if drivers are needed for the trip
 Insurance Form:
along with a pamphlet explaining procedures for its use, this form is
provided to each troop leader when he/she gets her troop packet. If you are planning a trip of 3
nights or more you must obtain additional insurance through the council. More on this in
“Extended Trips” training. http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/forms
Appendix B
Page 1 of 1
The Buzz (News): A Good Example of Progression in Travel
The Girl Scout Cadettes in Troop 507 from Mead have enjoyed a close-kit friendship through Girl
Scouting for many years. The July 15-22 trip to Maui, Hawaii, was part of a progression of travel that
began in the first grade. From simple overnights, Mother-Daughter overnights to camping and a road
trip to South Dakota, the girls moved steadily toward their goal of seeing some place special.
The girls researched different destinations and voted on Maui. Their next big challenge would be
raising the money. They strategized ideas for money-earning projects and planned an average of one
“FUN-d raiser” each month.
Over the course of about a year, the girls in Troop 507 identified activities they wanted to do while in
Hawaii. With the help of a former University of Colorado at Boulder student and marine biologist who
works for the Pacific whale Foundation in Maui, they planned a fabulous and financially feasible itinerary
that met all Safety-Wise requirements.
During their time in Maui, the troop did a community service project in Haleakala National Park, pulling
down and cutting a non-endemic species of pine tree that is crowing out other plants. They also took
surfing lessons, went on a tide pool hike, went snorkeling in the small sunken ocean crater of Molokini,
went on the Atlantis Submarine to view the Lahaina harbor from 125 feet below the sea, took a zipline
through the West Maui rain forest, and, of course, spent a little time relaxing and playing on the beach.
Appendix C
Page 1 of 1
Colorado’s Child Restraint Law
REMINDER: As of August 1, 2010, Colorado state law requires every child under age 8, regardless of
weight, to use a child restraint system during transportation.
— Infants must ride in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 1 year old and at least 20 lbs.
Safety advocates* recommend that infants continue rear-facing as long as possible for the best protection in a crash. Many
larger “convertible” type carseats will allow children to ride rear-facing up to 30 lbs.
— Children aged 1 to 4 years who weigh 10 – 40 lbs. must be restrained in a forward-facing car
seat. Safety advocates* recommend restraining your child in a “5-point” harness system until they are at least 40 lbs. This
harness provides the best protection for your child. Use upper tether straps where applicable (refer to your car seat and
vehicle’s owner manual for more information).
— Children over 40 lbs. who are less than 6 years old must continue to ride in a child restraint
(unless 55” (4’ 7”) tall) – typically, this is a booster seat. While Colorado Law requires older children to be
restrained in booster seats until they are 6 years old or 55” tall, safety advocates recommend keeping children in booster
seats until they are about 57” tall. A child’s height is the best predictor of proper seat belt fit.
— Children between 6 and 16 years old must be restrained with a seat belt. Everyone in a car should
always be properly buckled up, either with appropriate car seats, booster seats, or vehicle seat belts. Proper seat belt fit is
achieved when: (1) The child can sit all the way back against the seat back with their knees bent naturally at the edge of the
seat; (2) The shoulder belt fits comfortably crossing the shoulder between the neck and the arm; (3) The lap belt sits low on
their hips, touching their thighs. This is usually achieved when the child is 57” tall, regardless of age or weight.
*Safety advocates include the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National SAFE KIDS Campaign.
Children who are not registered Girl Scouts are not covered by Girl Scout insurance and thus create a risk
of liability for the volunteer, Girl Scouts of Colorado and its members if these children attend Girl Scout
meetings or activities. If a Girl Scout activity involves the invitation of families or other non-registered
participants, troops should purchase additional insurance.
Appendix D
Insurance
Page 1 of 2
Basic Coverage: Every registered girl and adult member is automatically covered by the Basic
coverage, which provides supplemental coverage when their Girl Scout registration arrives at a Girl
Scouts of Colorado service center. Other plans may be purchased when needed.
Information on the Girl Scout Activity Accident Insurance – Supplemental Basic Coverage including
how to file a claim, is provided in a brochure available at a service center. Claim forms and order
forms for the other plans are also available. Insurance does not cover siblings, tagalongs or adults
who are not chaperones or designated helpers. The family’s own insurance should cover these
individuals.
Additional Insurance: Several forms of insurance are available that provide limited coverage to help
pay the medical expenses arising from accidents occurring during approved, supervised Girl Scouts
activities. This insurance coverage supplements health and accident insurance carried by the family.
For all but Plan 3P, there is a non-duplication provision that coordinates payment for medical and
dental benefits with the family insurer. Trip approval is required to purchase any additional
insurance. Contact your nearest service center for information and forms.
See the table on the next slide.
General Liability: Girl Scouts of Colorado carries liability insurance to protect itself and persons
acting on its behalf. Those protected include troop leaders and all other registered volunteers.
This policy provides coverage for liability claims only.
Appendix D
X
Plan 2
X
X
X
Plan 3E
X
X
X
X
Plan 3P
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Plan 3Pl***
*Three nights if one is a federal holiday
**Registered/non members of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.
***Used for international travel only
Cost
person/day
Adds
Sickness
Coverage
*
Participants
NonRegistered
Adults**
Registered
Girls and
3 Nights*
More Than
X
Page 2 of 2
NonDuplicating
Basic Coverage
Nights*
Insurance Plan
No More
Than 2
Insurance
X
Contact
Marlene
Bruno
X
For the most
X
Current
information
On costs call
303.778.8774