When preparing for any activity with girls, always begin with the Safety Activity Checkpoints (SACs) written specifically for that particular activity. This introduction provides an overview of the format of each set of checkpoints followed by the links to each checkpoint. Additionally, the Girl Scout Safety Guidelines below detail specifics not found in the SACs. Note: In addition to reading these checkpoints yourself, you can also e-mail to or print them for co-volunteers, parents/guardians, and girls.
Know where to do the activity. Quick list of the most common places girls carry out the activity.
Include girls with disabilities. Tips and special Web sites for information on including girls with disabilities.
Gear
Basic Gear includes clothing and equipment girls are likely to already have in their possession.
Specialized Gear includes clothing and equipment girls may need to purchase, rent, or borrow.
Prepare for the Activity
These checkpoints discuss steps to take in advance of the activity. Not every category is listed here, and not every activity includes these categories.
- Communicate with council and parents. Tips for following council guidelines and keeping parents informed
- Ensure prerequisites. Ranges from an ability to swim to knowledge of primitive camping
- Arrange for transportation and adult supervision. Recommended adult-to-girl ratios for this activity
- Verify instructor knowledge and experience. Ensuring the volunteers or on-site instructors possess the proper skill set, knowledge, experience, and/or training/certification
- Select a safe site. A game plan for ensuring the safest experience possible
- Compile key contacts. Information on itineraries, phone trees, and other contact information
- Respect the environment. Tips for ensuring environmental responsibility
- Prepare for emergencies. First-aider requirements and other emergency precautions
On the Day of the Activity
These checkpoints include important final reminders on the day of the activity. Not every category is listed here, and not every activity includes these categories.
- Get a weather report. Ways to monitor the weather for any outdoor activity and/or activity requiring transportation
- Review rescue tips. Activity-specific rescue tips
- Be prepared in the event of a storm with lightning. Special details for outdoor warm-weather activities
Linksguide you to the best-known and best-respected Web sites.
Know-How for Girlsoffers games, mini-lessons, and other fun ways to expand girls’ knowledge.
Jargon helps you and the girls master activity-specific terminology.
Alphabetical List
Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding
In-Line Skating and Roller Skating
Parades and Other Large Group Gatherings
Sledding, Tobogganing, and Snow Tubing
STEM (Science, Engineering, Technology, and Math)
All Safety Activity Checkpoints (154 pages)
A word of caution: If you want to print the SACs in their entirety, this final link compiles them all for your convenience. However, the primary reason they are no longer in print format is due to the rapidly changing safety needs of our girls. In an online, therefore easily adaptable format, they can be updated seamlessly. If they are printed when an update is warranted, the printed copy then becomes obsolete.