Why is travel important for girls?
Girls will gain
independence and learn important leadership skills on the trips. Girls
will learn to navigate a new city they are visiting using public
transportation and using map skills. They will have to use money
management as they budget for the activities we plan. Manners and
etiquette are taught for fun fancy nights out. If going abroad girls
may even learn a new language. These are just some of the independent
skills girls will be taking away from council trips.
My daughter has never been away from me that long before. How do I
know she’s ready?
Girls will be talking with the trip
lead way before the trip happens to get comfortable with the adult she
is going with. If your daughter has never traveled before we suggest a
shorter trip to start. Our trips are set up for progression. Shorter
regional ones for first timers, longer national ones for girls who are
not old enough to go abroad yet and international trips for girls who
are ready to see the world!
What if my Girl Scout doesn’t know anyone on the trip?
That’s okay! The girls are from all over Eastern Oklahoma so they will
have that in common. She will be able to make new friends with girls
her own age. We will have planning meetings and in-person
get-togethers as a group before the trip as a chance to get to know
one another.
How do I know my Girl Scout will be safe?
Safety of
girls is always our number one priority. Although the girls are
planning the trips, council staff and trip advisors will make sure
that the activities are safe and appropriate. All trip advisors are
first-aid and CPR trained. Security/safety levels are always monitored
to the city/states/countries we are visiting. We will not go to places
which are not safe.
Will my daughter be meeting strange people on this trip?
That is the beauty of traveling, meeting new and interesting people.
All of the activities that were planned by the girls will be
supervised by Trip Advisors and they make sure that girls’ safety is
the number one priority. They will have the chance to make new friends
and talk with different people.
Can I attend the trip with my daughter?
Council trips
are girl-led and girl-focused, which means we want to take as many
girls as possible on a trip with the minimum number of adults needed.
These trips are for girls, not adults. Council has a trip advisor
committee that we choose from for council-sponsored trips. Trip
advisors must be un-related to any of the girls or other advisors
participating on the trip.
Who are these “trip advisors” that are taking my Girl Scout on
these trips? And what are their qualifications?
The Trip
Advisors (the adults) leading the trip are council-staff and members
of our Trip Advisor Committee. Each person has the required travel
training as well as first aid and CPR. Additionally they apply to be a
member of the committee to make sure their application is suitable and
their qualifications meet the trip standards. All adults are
registered Girl Scout members with current background checks on file
with the council.
Will I get a detailed itinerary of the trip?
Yes, every
trip as it gets closer to the event will have a detailed itinerary as
well as phone numbers of places the girls are staying and Trip Advisor
cell phones in case of emergencies. Remember these are girl planned
trips, so the girls make the decisions on the activities and lodging
so if the group hasn’t talked about it yet, there is no information to
give.
Can my Girl Scout take her cell phone so we can
be in touch in case of emergencies?
Yes, she will be
allowed to take her cell phone. Each trip has a cell phone policy that
the girls and adults are expected to adhere to. If the girl does not,
her cell phone will be in the possession of the trip lead. Trip
Advisors are not responsible for lost or stolen phones or electronics
on the trip.
Do you worry about discipline on these trips?
The great
thing about taking a trip with Girl Scouts is we have the Promise and
Law to help things go smoother. We also require both girls and parents
sign a behavior contract before leaving for the trip. If the girl does
not adhere to the contract she will be asked to leave the trip at the
expense of the girl and her family.
What’s included in the program fee?
Transportation
costs, all meals, overnight accommodations, entrance fees to all
attractions, activities, patches, Girl Scout insurance, and group t-shirt.
Is there financial assistance available for trips?
Girls
can use cookie credit to pay for their trip. Girls selected for a
national or international summer trip can sell Fall Products and
Cookies with the Travel Troop and use those funds to pay for their
trip. The Travel Troop also participates in extra money-earning
projects. Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma offers travel scholarships
for girls attending national or international summer trips. This is
available to girls twice during their Girl Scout career and can cover
50% of the cost of travel or up to $750.
If my daughter chooses to cancel from a council-sponsored trip,
what is the cancellation policy?
Program Fee for trip
includes a non-refundable deposit due at time of trip selection,
half-trip cost for International and National Summer trips is due the
August before travel. Payment in full is due 60 days prior to trip.
Any funds earned through travel troop or money-earning opportunities
are not refunded and stay with the travel troop. Refunds will vary
based upon how soon the trip is occurring. Any portion of a Girl
Scout’s trip fee that has already been spent, will not be refunded.
EX. If plane tickets have already been purchased, the value of those
tickets will be deducted from the refund
- 121+ days prior to trip: 75% refund of trip fee, less deposit and any portion of paid trip fees that have already been spent.
- 60-120 days prior to trip: 50% refund of trip fees paid, less deposit and any portion of paid trip fees that have already been spent
- 60 days prior to trip: No refunds will be provided
