Safety While Girl Scouting

Adult Supervision toggle arrow

The adult supervision rule at Girl Scouts is a strict standard that requires that whenever girls meet, either in person or virtually, there must be at least two registered, approved adult volunteers who are unrelated (for example: not a sibling, spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, or anyone who would be considered a family member) and who do not live in the same residence, with a minimum of one adult who is female.

Being an approved volunteer means:

They are at least 18 years old
Are a registered Girl Scout adult
Have completed background screening, which can include LiveScan fingerprinting
Have completed all required position-related training, which can include Mandated Reporter Training

Troop leaders must always be adults. Youth or youth members are not permitted to substitute for adult supervision. This rule applies to every Girl Scout gathering including troop meetings (in person and virtual), day trips, camp, sleep away travel, events, activities, and projects. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Girl/Adult Ratios toggle arrow

Troops must have a minimum of two adult leaders, one of whom must be female. A group must have at least two unrelated, approved adult volunteers present at all times. This includes in-person and virtual meetings. Plus, additional adult volunteers as necessary, depending on the size of the group and the girls' ages and abilities. These girl/adult ratios are based on the grade level of the girls and types of activities they will be doing.

GSUSA Membership & Background Screening toggle arrow

GSUSA Membership and background screening, which includes a registered sex offender search, is required for the following positions:

Anyone who works directly with girls
Anyone who handles money and/or large amounts of product
Chaperones and drivers
First-Aiders
Adults who meet compliance for adult/girl ratios for meetings, trips, activities, overnight trips and activities, and events

Mandated Reporter Training & LiveScan Fingerprinting toggle arrow

Per California Assembly Bill 506 (AB506), which took effect on January 1, 2022, GSCCS must add mandated reporter training and fingerprinting background checks (LiveScan) to our already robust protocols for our volunteers. Per AB506, those who need to add the training/LiveScan are volunteers with direct contact or supervision of children for more than 16 hours a month, or 32+ hours a year. Read the full text of the bill.

Volunteers with specific roles, and those wanting to participate in specific activities, must fulfill these requirements or they will be prohibited from the role and/or participation if not met. At this time, volunteers with these roles must complete this training:

Troop leader (and co-leader)
Troop chaperone
Service unit manager

If friends and family members are included in the girl/adult ratio, are supervising Girl Scouts, and/or are included in the ratio for event staffing, handling money, or driving youth members, then background screening (Asurint or LiveScan) is required.

If volunteer hours of direct contact or supervision of children comprise of less than 16 hours a month, or 32+ hours a year, only our standard background screening is required.
If volunteer hours of direct contact or supervision of children comprise of more than 16 hours a month, or 32+ hours a year Mandated Reporter Training and LiveScan fingerprinting is required.

LiveScan Fingerprinting

Access LiveScan

Mandated Reporter Training

Access Mandated Reporter Training
Upload your Mandated Reporter Training certificate

First Aid/CPR toggle arrow

For activities outside of regular troop meetings, Girl Scouts requires that at least one adult volunteer be first aid/CPR and AED certified.

Permission Forms toggle arrow

Annual permission forms are parental or legal guardian consent forms for attendance at regular troop meetings throughout the year. Annual permission forms are practiced at GSCCS. In addition to specific activity permission forms, volunteers keep copies of all permission forms for all Girl Scout members.

Leaders process and complete registration forms and other troop/group paperwork, such as permission forms, in a timely manner.

Trainings for Overnights, Camping, & Travel toggle arrow

Required training for overnights, camping, and travel cover the rules and guidelines for overnights, transportation, room sharing, behavior agreements, and adult supervision of girls. Learn more.

Sensitive Issues toggle arrow

Many topics are often brought up in a very casual manner while on the way to or at a Girl Scout activity. For planned discussions and activities, parent/caregiver permission is required. For guidance on how to handle conversations on sensitive issues, refer to our Parent/Caregiver Permission for Sensitive Issues form.

Buddy System toggle arrow

Girl Scouts practice the buddy system to help protect members while on activities. Each girl is responsible for staying with her buddy at all times, warning her buddy of danger, giving her buddy immediate assistance if safe to do so, and seeking help when the situation warrants it. Girls are encouraged to stay near the group or buddy with another team of two, so in the event someone is injured, one person cares for the person while two others seek help. The buddy system can also be useful with adults needing to step away when enough adults remain with the girls. 

All girls, whether in buddy groups or not, need to have adult supervision. Any time girls are in public, whether attending an activity, event, or traveling, where the public has a high interaction opportunity, an adult needs to be with each buddy group.

Inappropriate Conduct toggle arrow

Sexual advances, improper touching, and sexual activity of any kind with girl members are forbidden.
Physical, verbal, and emotional abuse of girls is forbidden.
Youth violence or bullying is also not tolerated in Girl Scouts. Youth violence occurs when young people intentionally use physical force or power to threaten or harm others. Bullying is a form of youth violence.

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Safety While Girl Scouting

How We Keep Girl Scouts Safe

GSCCS has the following practices and policies in place to keep Girl Scouts safe: