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Extended Trips
Trips of 3 or more nights
Topics to be covered:• General travel information• Planning and money• Timelines and “team” work• Before you depart• On your trip and back again
Table of ContentsExtended Trips Overview Stay SafeTravel Through the Girl Scout Leadership Lens Get PhysicalBenefits to Girls Get FitHigh Quality, Fun Adventures 8 – 12 Month ChecklistProgression Check Your Knowledge 3Check Your Knowledge 1 6 – 12 WeeksExperience Counts Know About the DoughGirl Planning 4 – 6 Weeks ChecklistMoney Smarts Pack like a ProBudgeting Packing ChecklistGroup Money Earning JournalingGuiding Principles Check Your Knowledge 4Check Your Knowledge 2 On Your TripChecklist 18 – 24 Months Home, Sweet Home12 – 18 Months Prior to Trip Travel with a PurposeTeam Building Where You’re Going, Where You’ve BeenGroup Agreement Check Your Knowledge 5Safe Travel
Extended TripsThis learning resource is created for girls and adults to prepare them for
unforgettable life changing travel adventures.
After completing this powerpoint Extended Trips, you should be able to: Outline the planning steps and develop a timeline for trip or travel activities. Explain the importance of progression. Determine the readiness of your group for trip or travel activities. List at least five resources for information on trip planning. Identify health and safety guidelines. Understand the council requirements for taking trips. Incorporate the Journeys and badges into any trip.
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Extended TripsThrough travel, girls gain enormous benefits. They:o Develop self-confidenceo Learn leadership skills by planning, earning money, and venturing to other placeso Make lifelong friends – with new girls and adults they encounter along the wayo Gain an appreciation for differences and similaritieso A broadened perspective
As girls mature in Girl Scouts, many consider travel one of the most exciting aspects of their membership.
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Travel Through the Girl Scout Leadership Lens
Focus of Girl Scout ActivitiesDiscoverConnect
Take Action
Girl Scout ProcessesGirl Led
Learning by DoingCooperative Learning
Short-term and Intermediate Outcomes
Girls gain specific knowledge, skills,
attitudes, behaviors, and values in Girl Scouting.
Long-Term OutcomeGirls lead with
courage, confidence, and character to make
the world a better place.
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Benefits to GirlsOutcomes
Outcomes are another way of saying “benefits to girls.”
An outcome may be: “Girls develop critical thinking.”
Another outcome could be for the girls to explore how they have grown as a result of this experience.
Girls learn to try to solve problems for themselves before asking for help – and/or to ask a friend for help.
Girls learn to plan meetings, overnights, menus, ceremonies, etc. – by doing the planning.
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High Quality, Fun Adventures
An Open, Inclusive Environmentadult page
Adults who partner with girls, need to keep in mind that their enthusiasm and support in the travel process are essential to helping girls build confidence and leadership skills.
Start off on the right foot by:
Creating a safe and open environment for communication.
Making it a two-way conversation.
Establishing roles. How do you envision your role? How do the girls envision theirs?
Encouraging girls to give input.
Helping girls reach solutions by asking questions to guide them in the right direction.
Having fun!
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High Quality, Fun Adventures
Process What It Means Why It Works What It Looks Like
Girl Led Girls make decisions and choices about what they do and how they do it.
Girls feel they “own” their group and experiences. They’ll also have more fun.
Girls plan, organize, and implement their travel projects with as little supervision as possible.
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High Quality, Fun Adventures
Process What It Means Why It Works What It Looks Like
Learning by doing Girls have opportunities for hands-on activities followed by reflection and discussion time.
Girls strengthen their critical-thinking skills and are more likely to apply what they learn to their lives.
Girls obtain the costs of travel and lodging for the trip and build in contingency funds to cover unexpected costs.
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High Quality, Fun Adventures
Process What It Means Why It Works What It Looks Like
Cooperative Learning Girls work towards a common goal as well as knowledge and skills in an atmosphere of respect and cooperation.
Girls build healthy relationships and communicate effectively. This will help in their travel experiences and in other areas of their lives.
Plus, cooperative learning is fun!
Girls create a team agreement, reflect, and speak openly and often about how they are functioning as a team.
Girls do activities in pairs or small groups.
Girls set group goals that can only be achieved through interdependent efforts (e.g., sharing resources, helping).
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Progression
From Day Trips to GlobetrottingProgression is the backbone of Girl Scout travel. Girls build on positive basic trip experiences and new skills over time.
Start with simple local trips such as visits to the park or firehouse. Walk, use cars, or ride public transportation.
Take day trips to a nearby city. Then travel to neighboring states.
Progress to overnight trips – one to two nights in a nearby state. Stay in a hostel, hotel, motel, or campgrounds.
Venture across the U.S. for multiple days. Use different accommodations and modes of transportation.
Trot the globe in Girl Scout style.
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Check Your Knowledge 1What have you learned so far? Test your knowledge by answering the following questions
(circle all answers that apply):
1.What benefits do girls gain through travel?a. They develop self-confidenceb. They make lifelong friendsc. They gain an appreciation for differences and similaritiesd. They learn leadership skills by planning, earning money, and venturing to other placese. All are correct.
2.Everything girls do in Girl Scouting is based on what?a. The Cookie Sale Programb. Campinngc. Patches and Skill Building Badgesd. The Girl Scoutf Leadership Experience
3.What outcomes may girls gain as they connect with others through their trip?a. Girls promote cooperation and team buildingb. Girls feel connected to their communitiesc. Girls gain practical life skillsd. Girls develop healthy relationshipse. All are correct
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More Check Your Knowledge
4. Which of the following is not part of the processes to guarantee girls will have a meaningful, relevant and fun time in the Girl Scout experience:
a. Girl Ledb. Leader Ledc. Learning by Doingd. Cooperative Learning
5. Which of the following are progression steps you can do to help girls (each other) build on positive basic trip experiences and new skills over time:
a. Girls play games a t the troop meetingb. Girls visit local landmarks in their communityc. Girl stake a day trip to a nearby stated. Girls stay overnight in a campgrounde. Girls go across the U.S. for several days
6. To determine progression prior to your trip, what should adult leaders be doing to guild girls?a. Charting their past travel experiencesb. Tell them where they are doingc. Defining the purpose of their tripd. Working out general trip details
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Experience CountsGirls chart their experiences and skills from previous activities to gauge their own progression.
Girls (and adults) reflect on trips they’ve taken, awards they’ve earned, events in which they’ve participated, and experiences they’ve had in their Girl Scout troop/group and beyond.
Girls are encouraged to think specifically, but also big picture-travel requires practical knowledge and skills as well as patience, adaptability, and the ability to problem solve.
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Experience CountsTravel Guidelines for Extended Trips
Be registered Girl Scout Junior or above.
Align trip purpose to Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
Travel as a group.
Make sure there are at least two unrelated adults (see Volunteer Essentials adult-girl ratio).
Obtain your Membership Manager’s approval and adhere to Safety Guidelines.
Submit all required forms: http://www.gscolorado.org/travel-formsMenu item at bottom – forms.Health forms, permission slips, etc.First Aider’s card (copy)
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Girl Planning
— A successful trip requires sound planning and teamwork by the troop/group.
—The trip should be based on ongoing troop/group activities and interests.
—Each girl should participate in the decision-making process about where the group will go and her goal in taking this type of trip.
—With an experienced troop/group, the leader might give the girls a few suggestions and then let them start to develop their own list.
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Girl PlanningDiscuss It!
Girls can guide each other by asking:
Where are we going?Why are we going/When are we going?How will we get there?How much will it cost?How can we get ready?Will everyone be able to go?What safety factors must we consider?What will we do when we get there?What will we do when we return home?
What else to consider:
How to include every girl – make sure each girl is heard and feels comfortable expressing their ideas and opinions.
Art of compromising
Itinerary dates/times/places/menus
Where male adults will be sleeping
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Money Smarts
Food Entertainment Fun Clothes Other
Total for one week
One week total x 4.5 (equal to one month)
One week total x 52 (equal to one year)
Weekly/Monthly/Yearly Expenses
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BudgetingTravel Budget
Expenses $ for Group # for YouPassport/Visa (if needed)
Transportation
Lodging
Food & snacks
Event fees
Souvenirs, gifts
Local Transportation
Miscellaneous
Contingency fund (cost of one more night & two meals in case of emergency)
Extra fees: museums, theater, luggage, tipping
Total
Money Makes YOU Go Round the World
Before you go money-earning crazy, you’ll need to know how much money your trip will cost. Fill in the boxes at
left to create a budget.
Google Girl Scout travel budget
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Group Money-EarningWhen you participate in money-earning projects, you build practical skills that
benefit their groups, communities, and, most importantly, yourselves. You learn
(see Addendum for money earning application):
Budgeting
Goal Setting
Marketing
Customer Relations
Good Business Practices
To support each other in money-earning project for travel:
Girls create a detailed and realistic budget.
Get Membership Manager approval fro bank accounts and all money-earning projects and follow money earning guidelines in Volunteer Essentials and Program Planning Guide.
Delineate between the girl’s and adult’s personal and group expenses.
Optional: Set up a group travel bank account managed by girls and to be overseen by a designated adult.
Have one person responsible for group funds and keep a daily account of expenditures.
All monies for travel should not be held by one person at any time during the trip.
Make decisions in advance about how to pay bills that occur before, during, and after the trip.
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Group Money-EarningEXAMPLE:
Our troop has always worked on a 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 plan.
Girls earn individually 1/3, parents contribute 1/3, and the troop earns the
final 1/3.
It is amazing how much the girls can earn babysitting!
Cool Ideas for Earning Money
Participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program.
Babysit at special events (must have at least one adult, CPR/1st Aid training, and have taken a babysitting course).
Collect litter after sporting events.
Wash cars and/or dogs.
Do face-painting at a community event.
Hold a bottle/can/newspaper drive.
Care for pets.
Hold a dinner or breakfast.
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Guiding PrinciplesMoney earning as part of a group is a great cooperative learning experience. Girls create guiding principles.
— How will you cooperate with each other and leaders?
—The Power of Goal Setting Don’t be discouraged if girls’ families cannot contribute. Many Girl Scouts reach financial goals through hard work and perseverance.
— Ask families about cooperation.
Six things to look for in a Chaperone:
— Willing to take direction from the girls & adults and adhere to group agreement
— Sets positive example.
— Has prior traveling experience with girls.
—Is someone girls can trust/turn to for help.
—Is knowledgeable (or will be) about Girl Scout travel.
—Handles pressure and stress well.
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Check Your Knowledge 2What have you learned so far? Test your knowledge by answering the following questions
(circle all answers that apply):
1.About what travel guidelines should you know when planning a trip?a. Travel as a group.b. Every girl and adult are registered as Girl Scouts.c. Made sure there are at least 2 unrelated adults.d. Obtain Council’s approval and adhere to safety guidelines.e. None of the above.
2.In the decision-making process, the trip leader might give girls a few suggestions, but let them plan their own trip.True False
3.How is the chart for Weekly/Monthly/Yearly Expenses used?a. To get the girls thinking about hwere they spend their money everyday.b. To figure out how much money the girls may need for their trip.c. To punish girls for spending too much money.d. To find out in which areas girls can save most of their money.
4.It is important that the group know how much the trip will cost and create a budget early in the planning stages..True False
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More Check Your Knowledge
5. What skills will girls learn through participation in money-earning projects?a. Budgetingb. Goal Settingc. Marketingd. Cheatinge. Customer Relationsf. Good Business Practices
6. Girls do not need to check with their Membership manager before soliciting funds from a local organization.True False
7. One person should be responsible for keeping a daily account of expenditures during the trip.True False
8. Girls should set guiding principles before earning trip money.True False
9. What characteristics should girls look for when picking a trip chaperone?a. 18 years old or 21 years old if drivingb. Has prior traveling experience with girlsc. Is someone girls can trust/turn to for helpd. Is knowledgeable about Girl Scout travele. Handles pressure and stress well
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Checklist 18 – 24 Months
Use the following questions as a guide when starting your own checklist.
CHECKLISTBefore you move on to the next phase of planning your trip, did you:
◊ Determine your trip location and purpose?
◊ Determine budget?
◊ Brainstorm ideas for trip activities?
◊ Plant the travel seed with the girls’ families?
◊ Submit Travel and High-Risk Activity Application(s) to your Membership Manager?
◊ Determine how many adults are needed?
◊ Find any other groups that have gone to this place? What can we learn from them?
◊ Have the fitness necessary for this type of trip?
◊ Find the activities age appropriate?
24 months if going out of countryAt least 12 months for in country
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12 – 18 Months Prior to TripAdult leaders guide girls through:BudgetingMoney earningBuilding adult networksIncreasing travel readiness
How to pack a suitcase pair up what did you forget?What should you do withoutCan you lift it in and out of a car?Do you need to pack it lighter/tighter?
Courtesy – manners – especially in other countries/cultures
Practice everything – every part you will be doing on your trip
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12 – 18 Months Prior to Trip• Get trip and money-earning approval from your Membership Manager.
• Provide families with general information about the trip.
• Set up a group travel bank account, if necessary.
• Make sure you have a least two unrelated adults – one of whom is female.
• Expand the group’s adult network by considering and reaching out to possible chaperones.
•Integrate progression into trip preparations by planning smaller trips that build up to larger trips.
• Consider girls’ maturity by evaluating their adaptability, decision-making abilities, and other specific skills and interests.
Book group reservations early for well-attended locations and activities – al least one
year in advance.
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8 – 12 Months Prior to TripCHECKLISTBefore you move on to the next phase of planning your trip, did you:
◊ Make sure reservations for transportation and lodging are made.
◊ Determine fitness level of trip and make necessary adjustments.
◊ Determine training needs:CPRFirst Aid/Wilderness First Aid/Wilderness First ResponderCooking & Camping
◊ Have an emergency plan.
◊ Arrange for parent/guardian permission to travel.
◊ Make sure each person obtained needed immunizations and/or health exams for the trip.
◊ Determined how many things the group can actually fit into one day.
◊ Determined back up plans.
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Team BuildingHow well girls (and adults) blend as a group will play a major factor in how smooth the trip will go.
Allocate ample meeting time to focus on activities that promote team building.
What are the dynamics of your group? Have an open and honest conversation about it with all involved.
The more the group determines what the group’s dynamic is now, where it needs to be for the trip, and by charting your own progress along the way, the more you will feel a sense of ownership and pride in your group/troop.
TROOP TIP:Four Responsible Traveler Tips
Learn as much as you can about customs, values, practices, and religion (language would help, also).
Be aware of people’s behaviors, dress, and body language.
Ask before you take someone’s photo and offer to send copies.
Respect the environment – no matter where you travel.
How will you handle it as a group?Things aren’t going to go 100% smoothly the entire time. Try this suggestion to get you stared. Come up with a catchphrase, like “Girl Scout shout,” as a reminder if things are starting to go south. Use the catchphrase as a way of refocusing the group.
Help plan for
emergencies
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The Group Agreement
‡Create a group agreement on a large piece of paper or newsprint before you leave for your trip.
‡The group agreement can, also, serve as a reference point to make certain the group is on target with its goals or to see if the group needs to modify its plan.
‡When consensus is build around the written agreement, have each person, including parents/guardians, sign their names.
Keep the group agreement posted in a prominent place whenever the group meets. How do you want to bring the group agreement on the trip?
One suggestion is to write the group agreement on index cards and have each girl and adult carry one.
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The Group AgreementA group may agree to:
Respect and communicate with each other
Deposits – payment timeline (refund policy)
Personal expenses
Give members the right to pass (meaning “I’d rather not” or “I don’t want to answer”) (how often?)
Carry out my kapers responsibilities
Conduct myself in a Girl Scout manner
Attendance at meetings
Sensitive to diversity
Be physically fit
Create a safe space
Be open to new experiences
No alcohol, drugs, smoking or social media on trip
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Safe TravelSafety can be a big source of anxiety for travelers, even if they don’t mention it – and it’s a concern for your parents, too. Put everyone’s mind at ease by preparing for safe travel.
Consult Volunteer Essentials, Appendix: For Travel Volunteers, to make sure your trip meets safety guidelines.
When preparing for any activity, always begin with Safety Activity Checkpoints written about that particular activity by accessing our website at:http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.organd search for all the activities the troop will be doing on their trip
Be prepared for every question to put parents at ease.
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Safe TravelHere are a few things each person can do to prepare for safe travel:
•Create emergency contact cards. Include group emergency contact information, family contact information and who to contact when unable to reach family members.
•Role-play potentially unsafe situations and brainstorm solutions. Create a “worst-case scenario” game, with each person imagining an emergency situation.
•Quiz each other, game-show style, on the travel and safety guidelines. Create the questions and answers for the game yourselves.
•Discuss travel fears.
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Stay SafeWhen on the road, safety comes FIRST!
Go over the safety tips below (often) to make for smooth traveling.
Use the buddy system at all times.
Know what to do if you are separated from the group.
Do NOT wear your name monogrammed where strangers can see it. It’s better to all dress alike with the same color t-shirts, bandanas, or backpacks when visiting crowded areas. This makes group identification easy.
Know how to phone home and the destination police/fire department.
Check Safety Activity Checkpoints for all activities each will be doing on the trip.
Carry only as much money as you need inside a pocket or money belt. Avoid purses. Store the rest of your money in the hotel safe.
Know what to do in case of fire.
Make a plan with escape routes for each new place you visit.Discuss, often, how to navigate a crowd. Have someone at home always available at by phone who has all emergency contact information. First Aid kid in every vehicle. Leave 4 – 5 minutes apart. Have an accident card and emergency forms for each person.
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Stay SafeWhen on the road, safety comes FIRST!
Go over the safety tips below (often) to make for smooth traveling.
Do NOT roam the hotel halls alone. Even if you are going to another girl’s room, always take a buddy and check with your chaperone before leaving and when you get back. Only open your door to someone you know, never to strangers and ALWAYS keep your door locked.
If carrying a backpack, pin the zipper down with a large safety pin; it may be a little inconvenient to use, but it will help prevent theft from behind.
Always be alert and aware of your surroundings. Be careful laying down packages, backpacks, and purses – while watching entertainment, eating at a restaurant, riding public transportation, etc.
Don’t say your hotel room number out load in front of strangers.
Carry identification with you in an inside pocket or money belt.
Always have an emergency plan.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times to avoid losing track of the larger group.
Have a “call” word for those times someone may become lost.
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Get PhysicalAre you planning to sightsee from the bus? Or, are you expecting to walk, hike, carry bags, and fully engage physically, if able? Depending on your answer, you many need time to prepare physically for the trip. It’s important for everyone to assess their fitness levels but equally important to design the trip around girls needs.
Cardio respiratory health Run up two flights of stairs ( at least 32 steps) without stopping.
How do you feel?a. I can talk comfortable and could run up another two flights.b. I’m too winded to talk.c. Where’s the ambulance?
Endurance Take a three-hour hike. How do you feel?
a. I could do another three hours.b. The first hour and a half was a breeze. But, now I’m tired.c. I’ll just lie here until someone rescues me.
Muscle-Strength Carry a 30-pound bag for 20 minutes. How do you feel?
a. No problem. Where to now?b. I did it, but I’m ready to put this thing down now.c. I had to ditch the bag after 5 minutes.
Overall fitness How do you feel after completing this test?
a. What test? I feel great!b. I’m a little bit sore and tired.c. I’m ready for a vacation.
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Get FitThe physical activity level of your trip can range from mild to strenuous, depending on where you’re going and what activities you will be enjoying. Each person needs to look critically at each activity in your itinerary and rate each activity using the scale below.
•Light walking and hiking for an hour or two a day. Bags stay at our place of lodging the whole time.
•Moderate hiking, biking, rafting, kayaking, and other activities that require only an average/moderate level of fitness to enjoy. We have to pick up and go with our bags every couple of days.
•Hiking, trekking, or cycling of up to eight hours a day or other activities that require a high level of fitness. And those bags go where we go.
How does the physical activity level required for your trip match your personal fitness level? If there’s a gap, use your preparation time to get in shape.
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8 – 12 Month ChecklistChecklistBefore you move on to the next phase of planning your trip did you:Apply for a passport/visa (if needed)?Create a detailed daily itinerary?Agree on a code of behavior with your group?Discuss safety and communication agreements for the group such as having phone calling cards and wearing the same color t-shirts?Prepare your emergency contact card?Pay deposits, earn money?Rate the physical activity level of your trip activities and your fitness level?Determine if you need to make adjustments in your fitness level?Complete all travel forms at http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/travel-forms
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Check Your Knowledge 31. If someone (or several) want to add an item to the itinerary that doesn’t fit with the plans, have them take it off the
list.True False
2. 8 – 12 months prior to your tip, guide the group by asking:a. How much can we really fit in a day?b. Do we need to buy tickets in advance or book additional travel?c. Do we need to build in time for travel delays?d. How much will delays cost?e. What are the opening and closing times of attractions?f. What is our backup plan?
3. Team building does not play a major factor in how smoothly the trip will go.True False
4. A group agreement is a way to embarrass some members of our group when they don’t follow what was decided on.True False
5. What safety-related items should each person know before their trip?a. What to do if they separate from the groupb. Appropriate behaviorsc. How to find a stranger if emergency help is neededd. How to appropriately represent Girl Scoutse. How to navigate a crowdf. Which adult they are accountable to while on the tripg. How to perform basic first-aid procedures
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More Check Your Knowledge
6. Where should you look to make sure your trip meets safety guidelines?a. Safety Wiseb. Volunteer Essentialsc. Safety Activity Checkpointsd. Program Planning Guide
7. It is OK for a girl to go alone as long as she is just going to another girl’s room.True False
8. The Travel and High-Risk Activity Application is on the GSCO website.True False
9. When visiting crowded areas, it’s better to have everyone dress with different colored clothing or backpacks.True False
10. To prepare your body for travel, you should:a. Stay healthyb. Get restc. Take care of health issuesd. Eat sensiblye. Get fit
11. Additional insurance must be purchased for an extended trip.True False
12. Girls should not carry identification with them on the trip.True False
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6 – 12 WeeksGet Down to DetailsYou’re down to crunch time! With less than three months to go, use this time to ensure you are up to date in completing all steps within the timeline.
Revisit the itineraryoLock in daily itinerary items.oDouble-check places, dates, and times.oConfirm your lodging.oFor International trips check State Department for warnings and register your group (refer to www.travel.state.gov).
Safety CheckGo over all the travel safety guidelines again. Are all girls well-acquainted with procedures? Review Volunteer Essentials and Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Family MeetingHold a group family meeting to go over final details. Have a communication plan so families will know where the group will be at all times. Also, discuss safety plans and use the time to have parents and guardians fill out any forms that haven’t been completed.
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6 – 12 WeeksEveryone together:
•Finalize details and get all forms in to GSCO.
•Check paperwork.
•Confirm plans, especially lodging.
•Finalize itinerary and budget.
•Complete all safety and risk-management planning.
•Inform families with full and final details of trip.
•Recruit and train the back-home Emergency Contact Person.
•Continue to strengthen group team-building.
•Work on and submit the extended trip insurance enrollment form from Marlene Bruno ([email protected]) at 303.778.8774.
Who’s carrying passports?
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Know About the DoughSo, you’ve researched where to go, saved money, and maybe even ordered a passport. Before hopping on that plane, or getting in that car, get your monetary ducks in a row.
Review budget and balance it against troop funds. Is the trip feasible? By this point, tickets, lodging, transportation, event fees and whatever can be purchased in advance should have been done. All trip funds should be collected 12 weeks out.
Familiarize yourself with the different options for carrying money. Here are pros and cons on currency:Pro: Cash is universally accepted but carry small bills.Con: Once money is lost or stolen, you cannot replace it. Carrying a lot of cash around may not be safe.
See next slide for more ideas.
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Know More About the Dough
Pro: Purchased for a set amount. Can be used at many stores. Can add money to it along the way.Con: Surcharge for purchasing; may need PIN to activate or need to set up ahead of time.
TIPSKeep a copy of the front and back of credit card with emergency contact person.
ATM/Debit Card
Pro: ATM machines abound, giving you access to cash virtually any time.Con: ATMs can carry fees as high as $5 per withdrawal, so it might be a good idea to look for ATMs with free withdrawal fees.
TIPSMake sure your ATM card is linked through one of the major networks (PLUS, Cirrus, MasterCard, Visa, etc.)
Pro: Credit cards are like insurance – hopefully you won’t need them, but if you run out of or lose your money, they come in handy.Con: Not every card has the same replacement policy.
TIPSMost credit cards are widely accepted, but check your card’s policy on replacing a lost or stolen card.
Credit Card
Pre-paid Credit Card
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4 – 6 Weeks ChecklistChecklistBefore everyone moves on to the next phase of planning the trip, did the group:
Balance and finalize the budget?Decide what kind of money to bring?Finalize the trip itinerary? Additional insurance purchased?Meet all safety guidelines (see Volunteer Essentials)?Purchase transportation tickets?Finalize accommodations?Submit all required forms?Review all trip information with parents and guardians and emergency contact?
First Aider needs:•to have all health forms;•to know what meds anyone will be taking, document dosage taken and when and with what;•have First Aid kit(s) ready.
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Pack Like a ProPack Like a Pro!What you pack can make or break your trip. Too much stuff and you’ll be lugging around a heavy suitcase. No comfy shoes? Blisters could be in your future. Follow the packing tips and people might just think you’re a pro!
Know airline restrictions.Go light and easy to wash.Pass on the bling/electronics.Go label crazy.Leave a little room.Bring special supplies with you.Keep the important stuff close to you.Whatever you bring you are carrying.Don’t take anything you cannot afford to lose.
First Aider needs:
•to have all health forms;
•to know what meds anyone will be taking, document dosage taken and when and with what;
•have First Aid kit(s) ready.
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Packing Checklist** All the World Centers have their own packing lists.
Packing for your trip has the potential to make you feel stressed, but stay positive and organized. Use the checklist below and add your own items. Plan what to wear each day before you pack.
Remember: function over fashion! Group's Important Stuff General Stuff: Carry-on Toiletries: Suitcase Clothes: Suitcase
Airline tickets Change of clothing Toothbrush Dresses
Copies of passports Safety pins Toothpaste Shirts
Health forms Raingear Soap/laundry detergent Skirts
Wallet Phone cards Shampoo/hairspray Pants
Cash Magazines, books Deodorant Shorts
Debit Card Pen and paper Comb/brush Swimwear
Credit Card Addresses Hair ties Shoes
Itinerary Sunglasses Bandana Pajamas
Lodging information Camera/memory card First-aid supplies Underwear
Emergency phone numbers Batteries Sunscreen Socks
Prescription medication in original containers to give to first-aider, except inhaler or epipen.
Hand sanitizer/handiwraps Feminine hygiene products Hats
Comfort items (blanket) Cotton swabs Comfortable shoes
Itinerary Baggies Sneakers
Emergency Contact info Laundry bag Flip flops
Water bottle Sweater/sweatshirt
Group uniform*
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JournalingAnswer each question for yourself:About what things are you most excited?________________________________________________________About what things are you most worried?________________________________________________________What things do you predict you’ll miss the most about home?________________________________________________________What things do you predict you’ll miss the least about home?________________________________________________________What will be your greatest single challenge on this trip?________________________________________________________How do you think your travel experience will change you?________________________________________________________Now, discuss your answers with each other and with your adult leaders (in private, if necessary).
Bring a journal with you on the trip. A journal will help you as you reflect on the day’s events. It should include pages for girls to record daily experience, not just for memory’s sake but as a way to think deeply about what they saw, did, or felt. Recording daily insight is a means for you to observe how you’ve changed, and can serve as inspiration to take action on something about which you care. Leaders will make sure there is time each evening for you to journal but you can choose to any time of day – as things occur to you.
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Check Your Knowledge 41. Why is it important to have a family meeting 6 – 12 weeks before your trip?
a. Discuss safety plansb. Have parents fill out any forms that haven’t been completedc. Go over communication pland. Go over final detailse. All are correct
2. The four options for carrying money are cash, ATM/Debit Card, prepaid credit cards, and credit cards.True False
3. Pre-paid credit and debit cards are a good money option because most banks don’t add a surcharge for using them.True False
4. What should you do 4 – 6 weeks prior to your trip?a. Finalize trip itineraryb. Review trip information with parentsc. Submit all required formsd. Purchase transportation ticketse. Ignore safety guidelines and safety activity checkpointsf. Finalize accommodationsg. Balance and finalize the budgeth. Purchase extended trip insurance
5. Packing luggage like a pro is not an important part of your trip.True False
6. A journal helps girls reflect on each day’s event and should be included in the trip plans.True False
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On Your TripIndividual Reflection
To deepen your experience you need to reflect on the day and apply lessons learned to future situations. All write individually in their journals.
Group Debrief
At the end of each day, make time for a group discussion (see suggested questions on the next slide). Besides reflecting on the day’s happenings, this is a time for adults and girls to check on group interaction (what’s working, what’s not) and logistics (next day’s plans, meeting time).
While traveling the girls need to take the lead as much as possible.
Girls can solve problems together as well.
Have fun!
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On Your TripDaily Reflections
Are we still on track with the group agreement?
___________________________________________________
What was the best thing about today?
___________________________________________________
What was the biggest challenge/issue today?
___________________________________________________
Are there any changes we need to make?
___________________________________________________
Are there any other questions?
___________________________________________________
Did anyone have an experience or see something today that could translate into a Take Action project?
___________________________________________________
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Home, Sweet Home Welcome back! The trip is over and everyone will be excited to talk about her experiences,
show photos and videos, and reflect on what she learned.
Everyone now needs to evaluate the trip: discuss what was fun and worthwhile, and decide what the group would like to change on future trips.
This is, also, the time to pay all bills promptly, turn in insurance forms within 30 days if there have been any accidents/illnesses on the trip, and decide what to do with any leftover money.
Girls can post and share their travel stories at: http://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/share-your-travel-story
What’s Different? After all have had a chance to reflect individually on their trip, bring the group together to
discuss the impact of their travels. Support the Girl scout process of “learning by doing” by having girls run the debriefing themselves.
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Travel with a PurposeTake Action
Each person needs to think about places the group visited and people they met. Each person needs to answer these questions:
Did you see something you can do differently to help make the world a better place?
Think about a community issue that you would like to address when you return home?
Learn new ways of doing things that can benefit others?
Meet ne people with great ideas that inspired you to take action?
Discuss It! Do you feel passionately about
something you saw or learned on your travels?
Are there one or two ideas that recur in your journal writing?
Who would like to share some of the issues you are interested in
pursuing?
Are you interested in working on one project or several “mini
team” projects?
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Where You’re Going, Where You’ve Been
Now that your travel experience has come full circle, take time to reflect. Everyone thinks about each statement below in relation to their travel experience, from the very first moments of
brainstorming location ideas to working on their Take Action Plan. Put a check next to each statement they feel is true.
“Because of my trip . . .”
I made a difference . . .
I connected . . .
I was empowered . . .
I learned . . .
Something new I tried . . .
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Check Your Knowledge 51. When on your trip, at the end of each day you should:
a. Talk about what went right/wrong during the dayb. Get some sleep instead of reflecting on the day’s happeningsc. Check on group agreementd. Go over the next day’s plans and any adjustments that need to be made
2. Any issues that come up among the group should just be ignored and viewed as stress.True False
3. When you return home, girls should reflect on their trip on their own and without discussion as a group.True False
4. The adults’ role is NOT to tell girls what Take Action projects will best fit with their trip experience.True False
5. What questions can be asked to get everyone to reflect on their trip and think about a Take Action project?a. Did you see something you can do differently to help make the world a better place?b. Is there a community issue that you would like to address?c. Are there new ways of doing things that can benefit others?d. What people inspired you?e. All the above
6. Reflection is an important part of the travel experience.True False
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