International Travel Safety

It is up to individual councils, girls, and parents/guardians to realistically assess each situation based on travel dates, comfort level, and current safety information. Girl Scouts of the USA relies on the United States Department of State for travel advisories and notifies councils about advisories to destinations.

Travel Tips

• Follow applicable Safety-Wise procedures.
  
  
• Submit Intent to Travel Form three to six months prior to travel.
  
  
• Travel insurance can be purchased from Mutual of Omaha. International Plan 3PI provides insurance for accident and sickness and travel assistance services.
  
  
• Consider buying travel insurance in case of flight cancellation, delays, or date changes.
  
  
• Register your group with the U.S. embassy in countries you plan to visit, provide a list of names and group itinerary.
  
  
• Research the country before visiting. Be prepared to experience cultural differences, local political considerations, and language barriers.
  
  
• Create an emergency plan with a phone tree for back home contacts and in-country contacts (e.g., number for the U.S. embassy, American Express, Red Cross), and a "lost plan" for each location you visit in case any group members get separated.
  
  
• Carry international calling cards that you can purchase in local shops. Most U.S. cell phones do not work overseas; some will work in Canada and Mexico. Contact your phone provider to find out before you go.
  
  
• Avoid wearing clothing, pins, logos, etc. that identify the group as Americans (pack Girl Scout uniforms to wear at special Girl Guide/Girl Scout gatherings, ceremonies at the world centers).
  
  
• Adult chaperones bring:
• Two individually signed and notarized Permission to Travel with Minor forms for each girl signed by both parents (or guardians). If a single parent or guardian has custody, attach documentation stating the minor is in the sole custody of the signer of the Permission to Travel with Minor form.
• Health forms and insurance information and emergency contact information.
• First-aid kit including items such as Benadryl, Tylenol, anti-diarrhea medicine, stomach upsets and motion sickness medicines. Parents/guardians must indicate on the health forms which over-the-counter drugs girls are permitted to take.
• Medication for girls, unless a girl has physician or parental note to carry her own. This authorization may be needed in situations where home hospitality is given and the girl is away from the first-aider.

• Girls carry:
• A copy of her health form and insurance information.
• A copy of the group itinerary with all contact numbers.
• Citizenship documents or documentation of her legal status to reenter the United States. Check U.S. State Department for requirements for individual countries entry requirements.
• An international calling card.
• Personal medications to be administered in case of emergency, such as bee sting kits, asthma inhalers, etc. (Girls need a doctor's note to keep the medication with her at all times.)

• Before the trip, circulate an e-mail list so that girls can get to know each other and share information about their destination. Include the name of an adult who can answer questions.
  
  
• Discuss ways to be respectful and tolerant of other opinions and cultures.
  
  
• Write up an agreement of acceptable behavior, developed jointly by girls and adults, that everyone promises to abide by.
  
  
• Be sure a council contact is included in the notification plan in case of an emergency.
  
  
• Remember that the safety and security of girls and adults is your top priority.