Creating a Safe Space for Girl Scouts

A safe space is where all Girl Scouts feel that they can be themselves, without explanation or judgment. As a volunteer, the environment you create is just as important as the activities they do—it’s the key to developing the sort of group that they want to be part of! Cultivate a space where confidentiality is respected, and they can express their true selves.

Safety Activity Checkpoints toggle arrow

The emotional and physical safety and well-being of Girl Scouts is our top priority. Safety Activity Checkpoints outlines the Safety Standards and Guidelines used in Girl Scouting, which apply to all Girl Scout activities. All volunteers should review the Safety Activity Checkpoints manual when planning activities with youth in order to manage safety and risk in Girl Scout-sanctioned activities.

Safety Activity Checkpoints (PDF)

In Safety Activity Checkpoints, you will find:

Girl Scouts Safety Standards and Guidelines which apply to all Girl Scout activities, including requirements for adult supervision, permission slips, preparation, field trips and overnight trips, and other vital information.
Activities that are not permitted by Girl Scouts of the USA and actions that Girl Scouts and volunteers should not take.
Policies surrounding chartered aircraft trips and aviation.
First aid and overall health information.
Standards for well-being and inclusivity along with ways to include Girl Scouts with disabilities and ways to ensure everyone’s emotional safety.
Individual safety activity checkpoints for specific activities—such as camping, internet use, and water sports that provide activity-specific safety information.

Safety Activity Checkpoints is laid out in three primary sections, Introduction: Safety Standards and Guidelines, Activities at a Glance, and Individual Safety Activity Checkpoint pages.

Introduction: Safety Standards and Guidelines provides the standard safety guidelines for Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) and council approved activities.
Girl Scouts’ Activities at a Glance table provides a quick review of the safety standards for that activity with a focus on two critical points to keep in mind when considering and planning activities for you troop:
- Age-appropriate activities and participation by grade level, and
- Whether prior approval from your council is required before anyone participates in a specific activity.
- The Activities at a Glance section is a great quick reference but ensure you refer to the individual checkpoint as you plan your activity.
Individual Safety Activity Checkpoint pages provide activity-specific safety measures and guidance on individual activities.

The Buddy System

Use the buddy system, in which the troop is divided into teams of at least two. Each Girl Scout is responsible for staying with their buddy at all times, warning their buddy of danger, giving their buddy immediate assistance if safe to do so, and seeking help if needed. They are encouraged to stay near the group or buddy with another team so if someone is injured, one person cares for the injured while others seek help.

Knowing How Many Volunteers You Need toggle arrow

From troop meetings to camping weekends and cookie booths, adult volunteers must always be present to ensure Girl Scouts have fun and stay safe, no matter their grade level. If you are not sure about the number of adults you will need for your activity, the chart below breaks down the minimum number of volunteers needed to supervise a specific number of Girl Scouts; your council may also establish maximums due to size or cost restrictions, so be sure to check with them as you plan your activity.

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Girl Scout Volunteer-to-Youth Ratios	Group Meetings		Events, Travel, & Camping
Girl Scout Volunteer-to-Youth Ratios	Two unrelated volunteers (at least one of whom is female) for up to this number of youth:	One additional volunteer to each additional:	Two unrelated volunteers (at least one of whom is female) for up to this number of youths:	One additional volunteer to each additional:
Girl Scout Daises (Grades K–1)	12	1–6	6	1–4
Girl Scout Brownies (Grades 2–3)	20	1–8	12	1–6
Girl Scout Juniors (Grades 4–5)	25	1–10	16	1–8
Girl Scout Cadettes (Grades 6–8)	25	1–12	20	1–10
Girl Scout Seniors (Grades 9–10)	30	1–15	24	1–12
Girl Scout Ambassadors (Grades 11–12)	30	1–15	24	1–12

Recognize and Support Each Individual toggle arrow

You're a role model and a mentor to your troop. Since you play an important role in their lives, they need to know that you consider each of them an important person too. They can weather a poor meeting place or an activity that flops, but they cannot endure being ignored or rejected.

Give a shout-out when you see them trying their best, not just when they’ve had a clear success.
Emphasize the positive qualities that make each person worthy and unique.
Be generous with praise and stingy with rebuke.
Help your troop find ways to show acceptance of and support for one another.

Promote Fairness toggle arrow

They are sensitive to fairness for all. They forgive mistakes if they are sure you are trying to be fair. They look for fairness in how responsibilities are shared, in handling of disagreements, and in your responses to performance and accomplishment.

When possible, ask them what they think is fair before decisions are made.
Explain your reasoning and show why you did something.
Be willing to apologize if needed.
Try to see that responsibilities as well as the chances for feeling important are equally divided.
Help them explore and decide for themselves the fair ways of solving problems, carrying out activities, and responding to behavior and accomplishments.

Build Trust toggle arrow

They need your belief and support when they try new things and you’ll need to show that you won’t betray their confidence. Show them that you are making an effort to understand them as individuals.

Inspire them to think for themselves and use their own judgment.
Encourage them to make the important decisions in the group and ensure them that all troop members have an equal say.
Give them assistance in correcting their own mistakes.
Support them in trusting one another—let them see firsthand how trust can be built, lost, regained, and strengthened.

Inspire Open Communication toggle arrow

They want someone who will listen to what they think, feel, and want to do. They like having someone they can talk to about the important things happening in their lives.

Listen to them. Respond with words and actions.
Speak your mind openly when you are happy or concerned about something and encourage them to do the same.
Leave the door open for them to seek advice, share ideas and feelings, and propose plans or improvements.
Help them see how open communication can result in action, discovery, better understanding of self and others, and a more comfortable climate for fun and accomplishment.

Managing Conflict toggle arrow

Conflicts and disagreements are an inevitable part of life, and if handled constructively they show Girl Scouts that they can overcome their differences of opinions, exercise diplomacy, and improve their communication and relationships. Respecting others and being a sister to every Girl Scout means that shouting, verbal abuse, or physical confrontations are never warranted and cannot be tolerated in the Girl Scout environment.

When a conflict arises in your troop, get those involved to sit down together and talk calmly in a nonjudgmental manner, keeping in mind that each party may need some time—a few days or a week—to calm down before being able to do this. Talking in this way might feel uncomfortable and difficult now, but it lays the groundwork for working well together in the future. Whatever you do, do not spread your complaint around to others—that won’t help the situation and causes only embarrassment and anger.

If a conflict persists, be sure you explain the matter to your volunteer support team. If the supervisor cannot resolve the issues satisfactorily (or if the problem involves the supervisor), the issue can be taken to the next level of supervision and ultimately to council staff if you need extra help.

Communicating Effectively with Girl Scouts of Any Age toggle arrow

Make sure your words and intentions create connection with members. Keep in mind how important the following approaches are.

Listen. Listening to them, as opposed to telling them what to think, feel, or do (no “you should”) is the first step in building a trusting relationship and helping them take ownership of their Girl Scout experience.

Be Honest. If you’re not comfortable with a topic or activity, it’s okay to say so. No one expects you to be an expert on every topic. Ask for alternatives or seek out volunteers with the required expertise. Owning up to mistakes—and apologizing for them—goes a long way.

Be Open to Real Issues. Outside of Girl Scouts, members may be dealing with issues like relationships, peer pressure, school, money, drugs, and other serious topics. When you don’t know, listen. Also seek help from your council if you need assistance or more information than you currently have.

Show Respect. Girl Scouts often say that their best experiences were the ones where adults treated them as equal partners. Speak to them respectively to reinforce that their opinions matter and that they deserve respect.

Offer Options. Members’ needs and interests change and being flexible shows them that you respect them and their busy lives. Be ready with age-appropriate guidance and parameters no matter what they choose to do.

Stay Current. Show members that you’re interested in their world by asking them about the TV shows and movies they like; the books, magazines, or blogs they read; the social media influencers they follow; and the music they listen to.

Remember LUTE: Listen, Understand, Tolerate, and Empathize. Try using the LUTE method to thoughtfully respond when a member is upset, angry, or confused.

Listen. Hear them out, ask for details, and reflect back what you hear; try “What happened next?” or “What did they say?”

Understand. Show that you understand where they are coming from with comments such as, “So what I hear you saying is…” or “I understand why you’re unhappy,” or “Your feelings are hurt; mine would be, too.”

Tolerate. You can tolerate the feelings that they just can’t handle right now on their own. Let them know that you’re there to listen and accept how they are feeling about the situation. Say something like: “Try talking to me about it. I’ll listen," or “I know you’re mad—talking it out helps,” or “I can handle it—say whatever you want to.”

Empathize. Let them know you can imagine feeling what they are feeling with comments such as, “I’m sure that really hurts” or “I can imagine how painful this is for you.”

Remember you don’t have to solve their problems for them or have all the answers. Ask them what they would like to do about the situation and how you can support them.

Addressing the Needs of Older Girl Scouts toggle arrow

Let these simple tips guide you when working with teenage Girl Scouts:

Think of yourself as a “guide on the side”—a partner, a coach, or a mentor, not a “leader.”
Ask them what rules they need for safety and what group agreements they need to be a good team. When they take the lead in establishing group rules, they’re more likely to stick to them.
Understand that they need time to talk, unwind, and have fun together.
Ask what they think and what they want to do.
Encourage them to speak their minds.
Provide structure, but don’t micromanage.
Give everyone a voice in the group—understanding that “speaking up” may look different for each person. For some, it might mean sharing their ideas in front of the entire group; for others it could mean submitting a written response or contributing as part of a group.
Treat them like partners.
Don’t repeat what’s said in the group to anyone outside of it (unless necessary for their safety). See “Report Concerns” below to understand the guard rails.

When Sensitive Topics Come Up toggle arrow

It’s an amazing feeling when your Girl Scouts put their trust in you—and when they do, they may come to you with some of the issues they are facing such as bullying, peer pressure, dating, athletic and academic performance, understanding their own identity, and more. Some of these issues may be considered sensitive by families who may have opinions or input about how, and whether, Girl Scouts should cover these topics with their troop.

Girl Scouts welcomes and serves youth and families from a wide spectrum of faiths and cultures. When they wish to participate in discussions or activities that could be considered sensitive—even for some—put the topic on hold until you have spoken with the parents and received guidance from your council.

When Girl Scout activities involve sensitive issues, your role is that of a caring adult volunteer who can help them acquire skills and knowledge in a supportive atmosphere, not someone who advocates a particular position.

Girl Scouts of the USA does not take a position or develop materials on issues relating to human sexuality, birth control, or abortion. We feel our role is to help Girl Scouts develop self-confidence and good decision-making skills that will help them make wise choices in all areas of their lives. We believe parents and caregivers, along with schools and faith communities, are the primary sources of information on these topics.

Parents/caregivers make all decisions regarding their child’s participation in the Girl Scout program that may be of a sensitive nature. As a volunteer leader, you must get written parental permission for any locally planned program offering that could be considered sensitive. Included on the permission form should be the topic of the activity, any specific content that might create controversy, and any action steps the Girl Scouts will take when the activity is complete. Be sure to have a form for each troop member and keep the forms on hand in case a problem arises. For activities not sponsored by Girl Scouts, find out in advance (from organizers or other volunteers who may be familiar with the content) what will be presented, and follow your council’s guidelines for obtaining written permission.

Confidentiality toggle arrow

Maintaining confidentiality is crucial when it comes to sensitive issues and discussions within our community. Do not share private information you are told with others outside of those involved with the matter at hand.

Confidentiality also applies to health histories. Volunteers should always keep Girl Scouts’ health histories nearby but should not allow youth or caregivers to review them.

Likewise, all volunteer health histories must be kept confidential: the health documentation of co-volunteers should never be privy to other volunteers. Guard the confidentiality of health histories with the same zealousness you would any other sensitive information.

Report Concerns toggle arrow

Keeping our Girl Scouts safe is of the utmost importance to caregivers, volunteers, and to GSCTX. Due to our focus on child well-being, Girl Scouts is seen as the leader amongst youth-serving organizations when it comes to keeping our youth members safe. To further our commitment to making Girl Scouts a safe place for kids, adult members must annually complete GSCTX Youth Protection Training in gsLearn and review the GSCTX Child Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Prevention Policy.

In the event of a life emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

To report an emergency with Girl Scouts of Central Texas, call 1-800-733-0011.

If calling after business hours, follow instructions from the Emergency Answering Service and press the indicated number.

Do not make any statements orally or in writing, which could be interpreted either as an assumption or rejection of responsibility for the accident. Remember, notification of kin is the responsibility of the designated GSCTX spokesperson. Prepare a written report of the occurrence and submit it using the Accident or Incident Report form. Participate in another follow-up if asked.

Texas law requires that any person suspecting that a child has been abused or neglected must immediately make a report. If there is an emergency, call 911 and then call the DFPS Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400.

There may be times when you worry about the health and well-being of individuals in your group. Alcohol, drugs, sex, bullying, abuse, depression, and eating disorders are some of the issues they may encounter. You are on the frontlines of their lives which places you in a unique position to identify a situation in which they may need help. If you believe someone is at risk of hurting themself or others, your role is to promptly bring that information to the parent/caregiver or the council so they can get the expert assistance they need. Your concern about their well-being and safety is taken seriously and your council will guide you in addressing these concerns.

Here are a few signs that could indicate someone needs expert help:

Marked changes in behavior or personality (for example, unusual moodiness, aggressiveness, or sensitivity).
Declining academic performance and/or inability to concentrate.
Withdrawal from school, family activities, or friendships.
Fatigue, apathy, or loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
Sleep disturbances.
Increased secretiveness.
Deterioration in appearance and personal hygiene.
Eating extremes, unexplained weight loss, distorted body image/efforts to hide their body.
Tendency toward perfectionism (i.e. mistakes are considered unacceptable, unwillingness to start or try something for fear of failure, belief there is only one way to do something).
Giving away prized possessions; preoccupation with the subject of death.
Unexplained injuries such as bruises, burns, or fractures.
Avoidance of eye contact or physical contact.
Excessive fearfulness or distrust of adults.
Abusive behavior toward other children, especially younger ones, or animals.

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