Using Safety Activity Checkpoints
When preparing for any activity with girls , start by reading the Girl Scout Safety Activity Checkpoints for that particular activity . You can find these at gswpa . org .
Each Safety Activity Checkpoint offers you information on where to do this activity , how to include girls with disabilities , where to find both basic and specialized gear required for the activity , how to prepare yourselves for the activity , what specific steps to follow on the day of the activity , and so on .
In addition to reading these checkpoints yourself , you can email or print them for co-volunteers , parents / guardians , and the girls themselves . The checkpoints are formatted as checklists , so that you , your co-volunteers , and the girls can check off each step that has been accomplished .
In keeping with the three processes of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience , be sure that :
● All activities are girl-led . Take into account the age and abilities of the girls . Older girls can take the bulk of the responsibility for carefully planning and executing activities , while younger girls will require more of your guidance but should still be deeply involved in making decisions about their activities .
● Girls have the chance to learn cooperatively . Have girls teach each other new skills they may need for the activities , rather than hearing all that from you .
● Girls learn by doing . If research or special equipment is needed , they ’ ll learn better by doing that research themselves than by having you do the legwork and report back to them . Even Daisies can do basic research and give reports or do show-and-tell for each other . Ambassadors may need you only for moral support as they research , teach each other , and plan every detail of their excursions .
If Safety Activity Checkpoints do not exist for an activity you and the girls are interested in , check with your council before making any definite plans with the girls . A few activities are allowed only with written council pre-approval and only for girls 12 and over , while some are off-limits completely :
� Caution : You must get written pre-approval from your council for girls ages 12 and older who will use firearms ; take trips on waterways that are highly changeable or uncontrollable ; or experience simulated skydiving and zero-gravity rooms . The Trip & High-Risk Activity Application must be completed for other high-risk activities . See the Trip & High-Risk Activity Procedure or visit gswpa . org for a complete listing .
● Warning : The following activities are never allowed for any girl : potentially uncontrolled freefalling ( bungee jumping , hang gliding , parachuting , parasailing , skydiving , moon bounce / bounce house and outdoor trampolining ); creating extreme variations of approved activities ( such as high-altitude climbing and aerial tricks on bicycles , skis , snowboards , skateboards , water-skis , and wakeboards ); hunting ; shooting a projectile at another person ( such as paintball ); activities involving motorized vehicles , such as Jet Ski ’ s , Go-carts , all-terrain vehicles and motor bikes ; taking watercraft trips in Class V or higher ; zorbing ; or flights in non-commercial aircraft , such as small , private planes , helicopters , sailplanes , untethered hot air balloons and blimps .
An additional note : Girl Scouts welcomes and serves girls and families from a wide spectrum of faiths and cultures . When girls 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 parents and received guidance from your council . When Girl Scout activities involve sensitive issues , your role is that of a caring adult who can help girls acquire skills and knowledge in a supportive atmosphere , not someone who advocates a particular position . You are required to obtain permission slips signed by the girls ’ parents / guardians ; see the “ Engaging Girls at All Grade Levels ” chapter of this handbook for more information and the sensitive issues procedure .