Introduction to Safety Activity Checkpoints
When preparing for any activity with girls, always begin with the Safety Activity Checkpoints written specifically for that particular activity.
Checkpoints discuss steps to take in advance of the activity. The following are important points to keep in mind with any activity.
- Communicate with council and parents.
- Complete a Troop/Group Activity Application when needed.
- Ensure prerequisites. Ranges from an ability to swim to knowledge of primitive camping
- Arrange for transportation and adult supervision. Review and follow recommended adult-to-girl ratios for each activity
- Verify instructor knowledge and experience. Ensuring the volunteers or on-site instructors possess the proper skill set, knowledge, experience, and/or training/certification
- Select a safe site. A game plan for ensuring the safest experience possible
- Compile key contacts. Information on itineraries, phone trees, and other contact information
- Respect the environment. Review and follow protocol for ensuring environmental responsibility
- Prepare for emergencies. Review and follow First-aider requirements and other emergency precautions
In a challenging, learn-by-doing environment like Girl Scouts, it is only natural that girls will sometimes want to take part in activities that are not specifically addressed in Safety Activity Checkpoints. If a specific activity is not provided in Safety Activity Checkpoints the first step is always to contact your council to make sure your council approves of the activity.
Remember to have a plan or process in place for addressing and handling requests for activities that are not specifically listed in Safety Activity Checkpoints:
- Consult your council for clarification and approval before taking girls. Your council may or may not permit the activity. If your council does approve the activity, they may direct you to a specific vendor or facility or advise you to stay away from others.
- Investigate whether the activity is similar to another activity and if the safety checkpoints can easily translate and apply to a covered activity, then follow those checkpoints.
- Consider whether the proposed activity requires any additional expert supervision or special certification for the instructor.
- As with approved activities, think about the quality of the experience in terms of how participation ties back to long-term outcomes girls receive in Girl Scouting.
