Travel

Where in the world will Girl Scouts take you?
Girl Scouts offers many travel opportunities so girls can see new places, meet new people and learn about different cultures and ideas. Whether exploring your own neighborhoods, going on overnight camping trips, participating in community service projects, or flying to one of the four World Centres, Girl Scouts are continually expanding their horizons.

You can participate in the Travel Pathway as an individually registered girl member or by traveling with your troop, service unit, council or with girls from around the world. The world is your playground; where will you explore today and dream of conquering tomorrow?

GSGCNWI Contact
Ashley Christensen
312-912-6322

Upcoming Council-Sponsored Travel

GSGCNWI hosts multiple trips throughout the year for Brownies through Ambassadors. We follow a travel progression where girls start by staying close to home as Brownies and Juniors, then taking trips further away and for longer periods of time the older Girl Scouts become.

You-and-Me Trips

Board the GCNWI coach bus for a You-And-Me Trip!
Girl Scout Brownies, Juniors and Cadettes are invited, along with their mom, aunt, grandma, or favorite female adult friend, to explore a new place. In the past, we’ve hosted trips to Door County, St. Louis, and Mackinac Island.

You-And-Me on Mackinac Island 2020!

Grab your mom, aunt or grandma for a getaway to Mackinac Island!
Once on the island, take a horse-drawn carriage tour, photograph the beautiful butterflies and choose from other fun activities. Multiple meals, hotel stay, various group activities and coach bus included in the cost. Cost is approximately $400 per person for a 3-day, 2-night trip. Registration requires a $200 per person non-refundable deposit. Bus will leave from Friendship Center in Country Club Hills, IL.

Register here!

Check out our blog post about the last trip to Mackinac Island!

Junior Jetaways

Join your fellow Girl Scout Juniors in this brand-new Juniors-only Jetaway to Milwaukee, Wisconsin from February 16 to 17!

The group will meet at the Vernon Hills Gathering Place on Sunday, February 16 and then take a bus to The Dairy State. We’ll check out a museum (you’ll help to choose which one!), eat some cheese curds, and walk through the Historic 3rd Ward. We’ll be back to Vernon Hills on Monday evening.

Sorry, parents, this trip is for girls only; there will be Girl Scout chaperones attending. Accommodation, all sightseeing, and meals included in the cost.

Register here!

Choose Your Own Adventure

A Choose Your Own Adventure trip (CYOA) allows Girl Scouts the chance to plan a trip from start to finish, including:

Choosing where they want to travel
Planning an itinerary
Mapping skills
Transportation – how to get there and how to get around
Budgeting

This Girl Scout year, GCNWI will be hosting two CYOA trips!

Choose Your Own Adventure: Chicago Style!

Juniors and Cadettes are invited this November 10 and 11 to stay the night at Hostelling International-Chicago to plan their own Chicago adventure!
Will they choose to visit the Bean, walk around the Art Institute, or take a city tour? Maybe they’ll visit cultural neighborhoods like Chinatown or Pilsen! Whatever they choose to do, it is sure to be a great experience!

Register here!

Choose Your Own Adventure: Midwest Style!

From January 17 to 20, Cadettes and Seniors are invited to Camp Greene Wood to plan their own Midwest trip in either Milwaukee, WI; Louisville, KY; Cincinnati, OH; or Starved Rock, IL! The group will choose Friday night and then head out Saturday morning.

Register here!

Can’t make one of our council-sponsored trips? Your troop can plan their own! GCNWI created a CYOA resource guide with the steps you can take, trip planning resources, itinerary templates, and info on how to create a budget. Check out that resource here!

Capital Tour

50 state capitals, 50 new Girl Scout trips!

In this first year of the series, we’re headed to Nashville, Tennessee! Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors are invited to hopp on a bus and taking in the sites along the way this February 15 to 17!

Once we get to Music City, we’ll tour the capital building, take part in a service project, and visit the sites. You'll practice your budgeting and planning skills while we’re at it. Group will meet Saturday morning at the Friendship Center in Country Club Hills. Price includes two nights’ accommodation, all meals, and sightseeing.

Register here!

G.I.R.L. 2020

Join us for the world's largest girl-led event for girls and young women, G.I.R.L. 2020!

Thousands of girls and their supporters will come together from around the world October 23–25, 2020, in Orlando, Florida. It's going to be one epic celebration!

Girls and adults are invited to take the lead and use your voice to have a say in the planning of this trip! Apply to be a National Council Delegate! Girl applications close September 20, adult applications open September 27!

Girls, apply for the council-sponsored trip here!
Adults, apply here!

Colorado

Summer is a great time for exploring the great outdoors! Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby, Colorado offers many fun activities including canoeing, horseback riding, hiking, archery, ropes courses, zip lining, climbing wall and much more. Group activities include a day at Rocky Mountain National Park, white water rafting and team-bonding experiences.

Watch for this trip again in 2021! If you're interested in attending this trip in 2021, email Ashley Christensen.

Check out the blog post about the trip!

International Travel

Each year, we host an international trip to one of the WAGGGS World Centres. Check out our blog posts to see the cool places we've been: India, Mexico , Switzerland , and London! We’ll be back in 2020 for Camping in the UK (trip is full), and the 2021 location will be announced soon.

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Destinations

Destinations are trips for individual Girl Scouts from across the nation. Decide if it’s Morocco, Madison, or New Mexico you want to travel to, then fill out the application using this information.

Round 1 applicaton deadlines are due Dec. 1, and Round 2 are due Feb. 15.

Travel Scholarships are available to girls who have been accepted to a GSUSA Destination.

Troop Travel

Are the girls in your troop planning their own adventure?

Learn about traveling with Girl Scouts in the Travel Appendix of Volunteer Essentials.

From local day trips to coast-to-coast treks, learn how to explore the country with Girl Scouts in this Girl Scouts Guide to U.S. Travel [PDF].

Check out our blog series with tips and tricks about planning a Girl Scout troop trip to Savannah, Georgia! Part I | Part 2 (Coming Soon!)

Day Trips

Review Safety Activity Checkpoints for any activities planned during the trip. Many higher risk activities require council approval.
Submit a Trip and Travel Application. at least 30 days prior to your trip. Use this to secure council approval for any higher risk activities as indicated in Safety Activity Checkpoint.
Complete First-Aider training if needed, as indicated in Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Complete Outdoor Module training if needed, as indicated in the GCNWI Learning Portal/Camp Trained Adult.
Secure supplemental insurance [PDF] (recommended for non-members). Please purchase at least three weeks prior to trip.

1–2 Night Trips

This includes hotels, hostels, private property, church property, and school lock-in, etc. Anything not at a camp property.

Review Safety Activity Checkpoints for any activities planned during the trip. Many higher risk activities require council approval.
Submit a Trip and Travel Application. at least 30 days prior to your trip. Use this to secure council approval for any higher risk activities as indicated in Safety Activity Checkpoint.
Complete First-Aider and Outdoor Module training, if needed, as indicated in Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Secure supplemental insurance [PDF] (recommended for non-members). Please purchase at least three weeks prior to trip.

3+ Night Trips

This includes hotels, hostels, private property, church property, and school lock-in, etc. Anything not at a camp property.

Review Safety Activity Checkpoints for any activities planned during the trip. Many higher risk activities require council approval.
Submit a Trip and Travel Application. at least 30 days prior to your trip. Use this to secure council approval for any higher risk activities as indicated in Safety Activity Checkpoint.
Complete First-Aider and Outdoor Module training, if needed, as indicated in Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Secure supplemental insurance [PDF] (recommended for non-members). Please purchase at least three weeks prior to trip.

Camp Property Rentals, 1+ Nights

Review Safety Activity Checkpoints for any activities planned during the trip. Many higher risk activities require council approval.
Reserve a camp property.
Complete First-Aider and Outdoor Module training, if needed, as indicated in Safety Activity Checkpoints.
Secure supplemental insurance [PDF] (recommended for non-members). Please purchase at two business days prior to trip.

International Travel

This includes any location where a passport is required.

Submit an Intent to Travel Internationally Application application at least one year prior to trip.
Complete the required First-Aider and appropriate Outdoor Module training found in the GCNWI Learning Portal.
Secure Supplemental insurance [PDF] for every traveler (required). Please purchase this insurance package at least three weeks prior to trip.

International travel questions? Please contact Ashley Christensen at 312-912-6322 or explore GSUSA’s Global Travel Toolkit!

How to Fund your Girl Scout Travels

Money Earning Tips for Funding Girl Scout Trips »

Financial Planning Tips »

Financial Assistance and Scholarships for Travel »

Frequently Asked Questions about Funding Travel »

Financial Assistance and Scholarships

Financial Assistance and Travel Scholarships are available for both Council-Sponsored trips and GSUSA Destinations.

The amount of assistance varies for Destinations. Maximum assistance for council-sponsored trips is $500.00.

You must register for a trip prior to applying for financial assistance. Applications are available after Jan. 1 annually.

Contact Ashley Christensen to apply »

Global Action Volunteer Team

The Global Action Volunteer Team is a group of volunteers who love all things global and travel. They've traveled extensively locally, nationally and internationally with Girl Scouts and on their own. The team is here to serve the members of GSGCNWI to make global, cultural and travel experiences fun and accessible to our entire Girl Scout community. These adults are here to help you every step of the way, ensuring you are ready for the upcoming adventure.

Join our team!

Adult Application

Read about our Global Action Volunteer Team on our Blog!