Adults accompanying a group should be chosen for their patience, flexibility, and good judgment. They need to understand their responsibilities during the trip.
The group leader needs to communicate with the other adults and encourage them to attend meetings when the troop is preparing for the trip. They should know what equipment and clothing to bring and what the site will be like. They need to know the rules in force at the site and the schedule and expectations that the GIRLS have set for themselves. They also should understand the underlying Girl Scout philosophy and practice of “For Girls, By Girls”.
If the adults have daughters in the group, they may want to discuss ways to encourage these girls to feel that they are part of the group, not different or special. Also realize that young girls sometimes find it hard to share the time and attention of their parent (or special adult) with other girls.
Supervision means:
• Encouraging girls to try new things
• Watching, guiding, motivating (NOT doing it for them)
• Intervening before injuries occur (safety is a primary concern)
• Being knowledgeable about the activity to be supervised and the potential for injury
• Being a role model by your actions
• Taking full responsibility for an activity or group of girls when asked
• Providing effective discipline when needed (criticize the behavior, not the girl)
• Knowing where girls are at all times
• Being easily located by girls who need help
• Helping girls understand how to do unfamiliar tasks while giving them real responsibility for finishing a job so that they see themselves as useful and competent
• Providing praise for effort and achievement
• Helping girls who need it with tasks such as combing hair, and reminders to wash hands, change to clean clothes when needed, etc.
Prior to the Trip:
• Prior to the trip, the adults going should attend the troop trip planning meetings with the girls.
• The group leader should explain the role of the supervising adults and their expectations before the trip.
• Adults should understand the plans the GIRLS have made for the trip.
• Adults should understand the safety systems for the trip and the buddy system that the girls have learned.
• If they are drivers, adults need to know the transportation safety standards in Safety-Wise; be registered with Girl Scouts as an adult volunteer; and present the leader with a copy of their driver’s license, registration, and insurance cards.
• Adults need to know the emergency procedures for the site as well as during travel to and from the site.
• Adults shall act as responsible role models by not smoking, drinking, or taking illegal drugs while supervising the girls.
Guidelines are from GSUSA General Outdoor Training Module
