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.

The Girl Scouts Travel Progression allows girls to learn the skills they need to become competent travelers, including how to plan and organize troops. Learn more about the different levels of Girl Scouts Travel and how to travel as a Girl Scout.

You can participate as an individually registered girl member or by traveling with your troop, service unit, our 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 2021!

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.

Come back soon to register for our 2021 trip!

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

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

Choose Your Own Adventure: Midwest Style!

In January 2021, Cadettes and Seniors are invited to plan their own Midwest trip, including where the group goes, where they stay, eat, and sightsee. The group will choose Friday night and then head out Saturday morning.

Look back this summer for our 2021 opportunity.

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!

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. Approximate cost is $1,100 per person + additional activities chosen. Troops and individually registered members may attend. Leaders and parents are invited to attend and serve as group chaperones.

Register here for our 2021 trip! Dates are July 1-8, 2021. $400 deposit is due December 3, 2020 to hold your spot.

Check out the blog post about the trip!

International Travel

Each year, we host an international trip to one of the WAGGGS World Centres. Read on to find out where we're headed in 2021 and 2022.

Check out our blog posts to see the cool places we've already been: India, Mexico, Switzerland, and London.

Camping in the UK 2021

Apply for this the chance to camp with 6,000 of your closest Scouting and Guiding friends on the lawn of Windsor Castle at the WINGS 2021 Jamboree. The group will spend 3 days in Liverpool before the Jamboree, and stay the night at Pax Lodge, the WAGGGS World Centre in London, afterwards.

Approximate cost: $2,500

When: approximately 2 weeks, July, exact dates TBD

Who: Seniors and Ambassadors (must be in grades 9-12 during the 2020-2021 school year)

Applications to join the trip are due December 3, 2020: [WEB]

Girl Application

Hiking the Swiss Alps 2022

In 2022, GSGCNWI will be hosting a trip to Our Chalet in Switzerland. Take the Swiss Hiking Challenge with your fellow Girl Scouts! This once-in-a-lifetime experience will be full of adventure, challenge, nature, new friends and LOTS of fun! The trip will include a visit to Our Chalet, a WAGGGS World Centre, where you'll hike some of the most popular trails in the area, rock climb, learn about the Swiss culture and make new friends from around the world. GSGCNWI is looking for six girls to serve on a Girl Planning Committee to help plan a Switzerland adventure before our time at Our Chalet.

Approximate Cost: $3,500

When: approximately 2 weeks, Summer 2022, exact dates TBA

Who: Seniors and Ambassadors (must be in grades 9-12 during the 2021-2022 school year)

Applications to join the trip and the trip planning committee are due December 3, 2020 [WEB]

Intro to Travel: Montreal 2022

Calling all Cadettes! Girl Scouts of GCNWI will be inviting 12 girls and 2 adults to join us on a Canadian adventure! Next up in our Intro to Travel series for Cadettes, we're headed to Montreal, Canada, the home of poutine, *many* churches and steamed bagels. On this introduction to travel, you'll learn the ins and outs of how to plan a travel adventure, including budgeting, itinerary planning and how to find accommodation.

Cost: $1,200 per girl

When: 5-day trip in June 2022, exact dates TBA

Who: Cadettes only (must be in grades 6-8 during the 2021-2022 school year)

Girl applications due December 3, 2020 [WEB]

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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.

All 2021 Destinations applications are due January 15, 2021.

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.

Our new GSGCNWI Troop Travel Resource is a comprehensive guide for trip leaders to help their troop plan their own trip.

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

GSGCNWI has brand new training available on our Learning Portal for troop trip coordinators, including preparing for your first trip, overnights, and extended trips. Why not start dreaming (and planning!) for a trip today?!

Let girls exercise their travel brain by planning a trip – even if it means you can’t go on it quite yet OR have girls plan a field trip you are able to take. Use this as a guide at your next virtual meeting!

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.

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!