fun field trips for girl scouts

Field Trip Ideas for Girl Scouts

Volunteer Opportunities For High School Students Preparing For College

Field trips and outings are an essential part of the Girl Scouts. Whether for a nature hike in the forest, a cooking class at a local restaurant or a visit to a nursing home to entertain residents, field trips provide the girls with opportunities to learn new skills, have fun, serve the community and complete requirements for merit badges.

The Great Outdoors

Explore cycling or hiking trails in your area. Plan hikes appropriate for the ages of your Scouts and incorporate backpacking, outdoor cooking or rock climbing to meet requirements for merit badges in areas such as camping or outdoor exploration. Organize an outdoor scavenger hunt at the local park, focused on themes such as conservation, plants or animal habitats. Plan sports outings to play recreational sports or watch minor-league games in your area. Take advantage of local farms and horse ranches for animal-themed field trips. Work on water-safety or winter-sports badges during field trips to nearby lakes or ski slopes.

Arts and Crafts

A major element of Girl Scouting in all age groups is exploring new activities, crafts and opportunities for self-expression. Visit a glass-blowing workshop or artist's studio and guide the girls in completing related hands-on activities. If your community offers workshops or classes in making jewelry, pottery and ceramics or weaving, schedule field trips to those programs. Large craft and hardware stores often offer inexpensive, short workshops where Scouts can make greeting cards, holiday decorations or birdhouses. Plan a field trip to visit a seasonal arts-and-crafts fair or see a special exhibit at your city's art museum.

Learning Opportunities

Cooking schools often design workshops around the requirements of the Girl Scout "Let's Get Cooking" merit badge. Participating in such workshops teaches the girls cooking fundamentals and techniques and allows them to fulfill many of the merit badge's requirements. A field trip to an animal shelter gives the girls hands-on opportunities to learn about pet care, while an outing to the planetarium introduces Scouts to constellations and earth science. Many city zoos offer overnight programs during which Scouts attend presentations on animals, do midnight nature walks, create animal-themed crafts and spend the night inside one of the zoo's indoor habitats.

Serving Others

Another essential aspect of Girl Scouting is being of service. During a regular meeting, girls can research local opportunities and plan field trips to a nursing home, soup kitchen or food pantry. Field trip activities at a nursing home might include reading to seniors, helping them with crafts or entertaining them with songs or skits. Scouts may participate in similar activities at a children's hospital. During outings to a soup kitchen or food pantry, Girl Scouts can serve those in need, sort donations or make signs and collection boxes for future donations. They also might participate in community clean-up days or beautification programs.

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As a national security analyst for the U.S. government, Molly Thompson wrote extensively for classified USG publications. Thompson established and runs a strategic analysis company, is a professional genealogist and participates in numerous community organizations.Thompson holds degrees from Wellesley and Georgetown in psychology, political science and international relations.

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8 Field Trips to Do with Your Troop this Spring

I don’t know about you, but I’m officially in spring-mode. I know that we live in the great Midwest, and therefore the official first day of spring doesn’t necessarily mean no more winter, but I’ve already switched out my boots and my parkas for t-shirts and sandals ( and maybe a light jacket ). And with Daylight Savings Time officially in action, there’s even more time to enjoy the sunshine after school or work!

As troop leaders, I’m sure you’re itching to get your girls out and about with this warmer weather, so I’ve put together a list of great field trip options for you and your troop to take advantage of throughout the Girl Scouts River Valleys area! For more great ideas in your area, check out the  full list of field trip opportunities on our website.

Crex Meadows Wildlife Area

102 East Crex Avenue, Grantsburg, WI 54840

Crex Meadows’ Wildlife Education programs offer hands-on experiences to guide girls in discovering new concepts in science, math, literature, art, and more through the natural world—and they have Girl Scout-specific programming for Brownie, Junior, and Cadette badges. Plan your trip to coincide with wildlife arrivals —go in early April to see the Sandhill cranes return to the Midwest!

North Star Museum of Boy Scouting + Girl Scouting

2640 E Seventh Avenue, North Saint Paul, MN 55109

This scout-centric museum has something for everyone. Brand new troops – and those looking for a refresher – will love learning about the story of Girl Scouts from 1912 to today. If you have some first-time campers in your midst, an overnight at this museum could be a great pre-camp practice run. Or sign up for one of their events – like “ S’mores with Juliette: Cooking with Pie Irons ” in May!

River Bend Nature Center

1000 Rustad Road, Faribault, MN 55021-0186

River Bend Nature Center offers knowledgeable staff naturalists that can help Girl Scouts discover, enjoy, understand, and preserve the incredible natural world that surrounds them while earning Brownie, Junior, or Cadette badges. Stop by in April to see the forests of River Bend burst alive with a carpet of wildflowers !

Como Park Zoo + Conservatory

1225 Estabrook Drive, St Paul, MN ‎

Seriously, when is it NOT a great time to visit the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory? Summer hours start in April which means they’re open ’til 6pm every day, giving you extra daylight hours to trek through a tropical jungle, swim with the polar bears (not literally), and discover new species. Sign up for a Girl Scout badge event or lead your own Scout-safari and stop by one of the great programs offered throughout the day, every day of the week.

Not Me! Safety + Self Defense Training

Various locations in Minneapolis, MN

Summer is an awesome and empowering time for kids to experience growing independence. Prepare your girls to stay safe while they ride their bikes around the neighborhood, hang out at the park, and walk to their friends’ houses by bringing one of Not Me!’s youth trainings to your troop meeting this spring. Older girls will also benefit from the training as they prepare to go away to college or Destinations trips on their own this summer.

Three Rivers Park District

Various locations in the West Metro, MN

Three Rivers Park District in the west suburban Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area offers a variety of programs that complement various badges and activities in STEM and Outdoor Awareness. At the different parks, girls can try activities like archery, hiking, geocaching, biking, fishing—plus there are picnic areas for completing your Snacks or Simple Meals badges in the great outdoors.

Big River Farms

14220-B Ostlund Trail North, Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047

Already thinking about summer? You don’t have to say goodbye to your favorite girls just because the school year is ending. Spend a Saturday at Big River Farms during the growing season, where girls can learn about basic sustainable agriculture practices and interact with real farmers—and knock off some badge requirements!

Fish & Richardson

60 S 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402

For those rainy spring days, girls can learn how to develop creative ideas to solve everyday problems while completing their Inventor or Product Designer badges with Fish & Richardson. Girls will be guided through games, activities and songs by volunteer intellectual property professionals to create their own pretend product patent. No need to travel for this awesome troop opportunity—Fish & Richardson will meet girls at your troop meeting!

P.S. Would your organization like to get involved as an approved Girl Scouts River Valleys field trip destination? Fill out our Field Trip Opportunity Submission form and we can work with you to offer programming that provides girls with the opportunity to earn badges as well!

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In partnership with 6,300 committed volunteers and adult members, Girl Scouts River Valleys serves nearly 17,200 girls through a 49-county council that spans Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa.

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See the world!

From field trips in elementary school to global adventures as teens, girl scouts are traveling near and far., if your troop is planning a trip, make sure you are ready to go:.

• Take Overnight Troop Readiness in gsLearn ( My GS )
• Turn in your Trip Approval
• Apply to raise any needed funds
• Complete the Activity Insurance Form

The  Troop Travel Resource Guide  can be helpful for leaders planning a trip for the first time. Girls will want to work through the  Girl Travel Planner  as they plan their own travel experience as well.

Did you know you can bank program credit earned in the Fall Product and Cookie Programs?  Learn more  about saving troop funds for travel.

More ways to travel with Girl Scouts:

Join our road trip adventure to discover the special, unique, and weird sites across our council region. Girls and their families or troops can take road trips to locations that make our communities unique and achieve the Wild Goose Chase patch. Embrace adventure and join our wild goose chase today!

Complete the Wild Goose Chase challenge for each region over the next five years to collect all of the Wild Goose Chase patches.

• Southern Region Challenge
• Quad Cities Region Challenge
• Northern Region Challenge
• Central Region Challenge
• Dubuque Region Challenge

Complete a region? Submit your photos and order your patch !

Travel to New York City

Girl Scout attendees must be entering grades 6-9 in the fall of 2024.

June 25, 2024 - June 28, 2024 Departing from Cedar Rapids, Iowa

See the big city lights of New York! Catch one Broadway musicals and discover how shows are produced with a workshop. Visit iconic sites like Central Park, Rockefeller Center, and Metropolitan Museum of Art. This trip welcomes all Cadettes to travel with Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois to experience a new region of the country!

Price: 2239.00*

Cost includes:

• Round-trip transportation from Eastern Iowa International Airport
• 3 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms
• Breakfast daily (except on arrival day)
• Dinner daily (except on departure day)
• Full-time services of a professional Tour Director
• Guided sightseeing tours and city walks as per itinerary
• Visits to select attractions as per itinerary
• Overnight security chaperone

*Price is subject to change

Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees or fees for any required passport or visa.

Note: Optional excursions, optional pre-paid Tour Director, and multi-day bus driver tipping, among other individual and group customizations, will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost, if included.

Travel to Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, and London

Girl Scout attendees must be entering grades 9-12 in the fall of 2025 or graduating from high school in the spring of 2025.

June 10, 2025 - June 20, 2025 Departing from Chicago, Illinois

Experience the food and culture of Western Europe! Girl Scouts  are invited to travel with a group from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois council to Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, and London. See, taste, and enjoy the cuisine, music, and lifestyle created by a mix of migrating populations in Europe. Learn about unique traditions and share experiences and recipes from your family’s culture with friends on the tour.

Girl Scout Seniors (grades 9-10) can work on their Sow What journey on this exploration.

$5,148.00 – commit before 9/30/23 $5,348.00 – commit after 9/30/23

• Round-trip airfare
• 9 overnight stays in hotels with private bathrooms
• Full European breakfast daily
• Dinner daily
• Full-time services of a professional tour director
• Tour Diary™
• Local guide and local bus driver tips

Note: On arrival day, only dinner is provided; on departure day, only breakfast is provided

Note: Tour cost does not include airline-imposed baggage fees or fees for any required passport or visa. Optional excursions, optional pre-paid Tour Director, and multi-day bus driver tipping, among other individual and group customizations, will be listed as separate line items in the total trip cost if included.

Want to take a trip with your troop or family?

Girl Scout travel is a lifelong journey that builds skills, memories, and friendships.

Every Girl Scout, beginning with Daisies or Brownies, can take the first step on this journey with a group field trip followed by an overnight or weekend trip. Learn travel basics as you plan, budget, and pack.

Girl Scout Juniors and above can take three- or four-night regional trips. And once you’re a Cadette, the world is truly your oyster! Using Girl Scout planning tools, you can make your dream trip a reality, whether it’s exploring the California coast, discovering the Swiss Alps, or visiting any of the WAGGGS World Centers around the globe.

Whether you’re traveling with your family, your troop, or on your own with a group, you’ve got Girl Scout resources and ideas to help every step of the way.

Let’s get going!

Girl Scout Destinations are the ultimate adventure for girls ages 11 and older! With different trips every year, there’s something amazing for everyone. Girls can apply to up to four different Destinations but must complete the application for each trip.

Steps to take a life changing adventure: 

• Discover upcoming Destinations
• Apply for up to four trips
• Pay a deposit to lock in your spot
• Contact [email protected] for information on applying for GSUSA grant money to help with financial cost of the trip

Missed a deadline? Don’t worry, apply to any Destination which isn’t listed as full might have openings. Need more information on these types of trips? Please reach out to [email protected] .

If you’ve got a Girl Scout in your life, you’ve come to the right place.

Start exploring badges and awards—and a world of possibility.

Outdoor events, camping, summer camp, horseback riding, and more!

Field Trips & Anytime Activities

We’ve collected tons of field trips and fun activities to do with your troop! Check out programs hosted by partner organizations below. Please keep in mind that all opportunities listed here are run by outside organizations. Please contact the organization directly for information.

Partner Programs

Little Medical School

Little Medical School believes a curriculum based on STEM will provide Girl Scouts with a strong foundation to pursue careers in medicine, business, and much more. Whether utilizing Science to understand anatomy, Technology to better utilize patient information, Engineering to develop solutions to complex medical issues, or Math to calculate the proper dose of medication. Health and STEM are inseparable. Yet, beyond our focus on learning and critical thinking – our most important function is to INSPIRE a greater understanding of health and career options.

• Where: Hosted at your troop meeting location
• Program Levels: Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors
• Badges: Toy Business Designer, First Aid, My Best Self, Pet, STEM Career Exploration, Budding Entrepreneur, Business Jumpstart, Business Creator, Entrepreneur Accelerator, Business Startup
• Cost: $20/Girl Scout

Engineering For Kids of North Atlanta

Engineering For Kids of North Atlanta brings science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) to children in a fun and challenging way through classes, camps, and special events. Several of our STEM activities meet specific Girl Scouts badges. We are proud to inspire children to build on their natural curiosity by teaching real-world engineering concepts through hands-on and tech-based program learning options. Engineering is, after all, one of the fastest-growing industries in the world!

• Program Levels: Daisies, Brownies and Juniors
• Badges: Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Home Scientist, Inventor
• Cost: $15 per Girl Scout

Go to Engineering for Kids Portal Registration .

For more information, email [email protected] .

Trees Atlanta

Trees Atlanta leads programs to help your Scouts earn their nature-focused badges. Each program varies from 1.5 hours to 4 hours long. In-person Nature Badge Programs are hosted at our Kendeda Center office. From the Kendeda Center, troops have direct access to the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside- Trail Extension—a perfect venue for outdoor learning! Virtual (online) programs are also available.

• Where: 225 Chester Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
• Program Levels: Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes
• Badges: Outdoor Art, Bugs, Flowers, Trees
• Cost: $150 for 10 Girl Scouts (D, B, J) $250 for 10 Girl Scouts (Cadettes)

Tellus Science Museum

Be prepared for a fabulous time with Tellus’ hands-on activities offered for Girl Scouts of all ages. We offer a variety of engaging science-related programs. During each of our 2.5 hour classes, scouts will have a great opportunity to meet other area scouts while expanding their horizons and learning new skills in an interactive environment.

• Where: 100 Tellus Drive, White, Ga 30184
• Badges: Home Scientist, Bugs, Space Science

Learn Robotics

Robotics is fun and easy with Learn Robotics! Host a robotics class at your next troop meeting. No equipment or prior knowledge needed! Every registration includes access to interactive instruction, loaner robotics kits and laptops as well as a Limited Edition Learn Robotics patch!. Special GS pricing available for multiple sessions hosted on the same day.

• Badges: Robotics

CDC Museum Tours

Ever wonder how CDC scientists merge old-fashioned detective work with high-tech science to crack the cases of mystery diseases? Get the Story! Visit the David J. Sencer CDC Museum at CDC Headquarters. This unique museum features award-winning permanent and changing exhibitions that focus on a variety of public health topics, as well as the history of CDC. The museum is free and open to the public so we would like to see you soon.

• Where: 1600 Clifton Road NE Atlanta, GA 30329
• Program Levels: Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassador
• Chattahoochee Nature Center

The Chattahoochee Nature Center offers programs for Girl Scouts of all ages. Take part in one of our programs to earn a badge or Journey. Each program will involve the scouts in hands-on activities in the outdoors and will include a visit with one of our non-releasable animals. Or take part in one of our Daisy, Brownie, or Junior scout night experiences where we work on badge components and experience nature at night, under the stars.

• Where: 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, GA 30075
• Cost: $150 for 12 participants (Girl Scouts and adults)

Fernbank Forest & WildWoods Explore 75 acres of new outdoor nature adventures. WildWoods and Fernbank Forest combine to highlight the natural world through immersive trails, educational programming, hands-on exhibits, and beautiful scenery.

• Where: 767 Clifton Road NE Atlanta, GA 30307
• When: Daily 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Program Levels: D, B, J, C, S, A

Girl Scout Camps Schedule a troop camping trip or day of fun at one of our many camp properties around the Metro Area. Canoeing, horseback riding, archery, hiking, high ropes, rock climbing, and so much more.

• Where: Camp Timber Ridge , Camp Misty Mountain ,  Camp Meriwether
• When: Anytime, schedule in advance

Georgia State Parks Find a park near you and explore. Work on an outdoor badge or find a fun activity they are offering. Make sure to mark your calendar for Girl Scouts Love State Parks Day in September!

• Where: Around Georgia
• When: Open Daily until Dusk

Other Places to Explore:

• Smith Gilbert Gardens
• Local County Parks
• Ridge Nature Center
• Stone Mountain
• Blue Heron Nature Preserve

Revved Up Kids Personal safety and self-defense classes for children in Atlanta, safety and self-defense classes for teen girls in Atlanta area.

• Where: Come to troop or group meeting
• Contact: [email protected]

Threaded from Heaven Is your troop looking for something different? How about a sewing activity ? Sewing is a life skill and can be so much more to your Girl Scouts. We’ll help your Girl Scout earn a Sewing Badge! Earn you badge in a fun creative way with great project options. This is a 2 hour event, with guaranteed success even if this is your first time sewing.

• Where: At your facility or Threaded from Heaven, Sewing Studio
• Contact: Courtenay Christian - 678-372-8717, or [email protected]
• Local Cooking Classes
• Visit your local representative

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta Take a free tour of the Atlanta Monetary Museum and learn all about how money is made and is distributed.

• Where: 1000 Peachtree Street, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30309-4470
• When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday

Anytime Activities

The following resources can be used to create a deeper learning opportunity for your Girl Scouts. While these aren’t badge-earning opportunities, they still embody the Girl Scout Promise and Law.

Atlanta Girl Scouting: A Century of Empowerment is currently on display in the Rountree Visual Vault at the Atlanta History Center.

• Daisies are Different & Alike
• Hunger 101 Patch Program (Link to Atlanta Food Bank)
• What if I Couldn't Brownie Badge

Atlanta Community Food Bank Volunteers must be at least 8 years old to work in the Product Rescue Center and Community Gardens projects, at least 16 years old to work in the Kids in Need project.

• Where: Varies by project main location is 732 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
• When: Schedule on your own 1,500 volunteers are needed each month
• Contact: [email protected] or call 404-419-1727
• Program Levels: B, J, C, S, A

Rivers Alive- EPA Help take care of Georgia's water by attending an organized EPA river clean up. Find a cleanup nearby that fits with your schedule. If you want a longer project, your troop could also Adopt A Stream- http://www.georgiaadoptastream.com

• Where: A river near you
• When: Various times
• Contact: www.riversalive.org

Purchase Tickets Directly

• Atlanta Ballet Call 404-873-5811 x1207 or email group [email protected] to request the Girl Scout discount for upcoming performances.
• Bartow History Museum – hosts periodic badge-earning opportunities on their event calendar .
• Chattahoochee Nature Center - Badges and Journeys from Daisies to Juniors, Volunteer opportunities for 11-17-year-olds, overnight events, and help with Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards are just some of the opportunities on their Girl Scout page.
• Georgia Aquarium - Discounts on activities and sleepover programs for Girl Scouts every month of the year.
• Medieval Times - hosts regular Girl Scout Appreciation Days with reduced rates for girls and leaders! Call 770-225-0495 or email [email protected] for upcoming dates and current pricing.
• National Center for Civil and Human Rights - Discounted rate and patch for Girl Scouts. Call 404-991-6975 to book - share that you are a Girl Scout.
• Revved Up Kids - Personal safety and self-defense workshops for young people. [email protected] or 678-526-3335.
• Sparkles Family Fun Centers – Year-round discounts including Troop Thursdays and special events just for Girl Scouts.
• Stone Mountain Park - Use promo Code GirlScouts for special scouting activities year-round and participate in their adventure programs .
• Synchronicity Theater - Visit the Website or call the box office at 404.484.8636 to purchase tickets using promo code GIRLSCOUT .
• Tellus Science Museum - badge earning opportunities for Brownies to Seniors on Scout Saturdays .
• Zoo Atlanta - Earn badges at workshops and overnights. Take action for wildlife.

Interested In A Program Partnership with Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta?

Read the full information packet on how program partnerships are developed. Once you’ve reviewed the information, you can submit an eligible opportunity on our online program partnership application .

• Field Trip Ideas for Girl Scouts

From the youngest daisies to the seasoned ambassadors, Girl Scouts learn more about the values of what being a Girl Scout means through traveling and unique experiences. Here we've picked out a few ideas on where you might take your troop for your next field trip.

The Girl Scouts are a special organization that has its own history and culture. One way to expand your troop’s outlook and make them feel that they are part of something international and unique is to explore a place completely unique to Girl Scouts. The Girl Scouts National Headquarters and Museum in New York City is wholly devoted to the history and development of the Girl Scouts from its founding by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 to the troops of today and how they change the world through community work. Compare the original handbook to your modern one, have your Brownies spot the differences in their uniforms and the ones from the 1920s, and browse the thousands of photographs, publications, and memorabilia that have been collected over the years.

You may also want to travel down south to Savannah, Georgia to visit the birthplace of the Girl Scouts at Juliette Gordon Low’s home. The house was built in 1821 and has been restored to its 19th-century glory and decorated with Gordon Low’s handmade artwork and many family furnishings. Girl Scouts come from all over the country to see where the organization first began. Troops may attend events, conferences, programs, or take private troop tours of the home and even have a Victorian-style dinner in the house. While you’re in Savannah, tour the historic district and various plantations that surround the city or go out to Tybee Island where you can splash in the ocean or tour the old Civil War fort.

The Girl Scouts of the United States strive to instill in young girls the values and philosophies that make productive, happy adults. Museums are an excellent way to present your girls with different cultures, to learn about and experience history, and to connect with another time and place in a way that engenders curiosity, inspiration, and, hopefully, empathy. If you are looking for trips in New England, Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City have hundreds of destinations between them that fit the bill. The National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia preserves the rights and freedoms of our country by presenting stories of heroes who have changed the way people think and act. This excellent museum represents courage above all else, something that the Girl Scouts also proudly represent.

A walking tour of our nation’s capital is also recommended for troops of any age. View the White House, Lincoln Memorial, and the Washington Monument or tour the Smithsonian museums, the largest collection of museums in the world. With a subject and theme for everyone, the Smithsonian museums even offer the unique experience of having an overnight sleepover in the museum. Camp out beneath the dinosaur bones in the Natural History Museum or continue your talk about the Declaration of Independence as you recline beside a mannequin dressed in George Washington’s uniform at the American History Museum. This will give you extra time to talk about the exhibits in a fun environment that your girls won’t forget anytime soon.

A third key ingredient in the Girl Scouts character-building initiative is exposure to and appreciation of nature. It is important for girls to experience the beauty and interconnectivity of life systems to inspire them to preserve and create a more sustainable future for our world. Visit the top national parks such as Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee. Hike through the trails, birdwatch, take a picture inventory of all of the wildlife you come across, or camp beneath the stars. You can even horseback ride through the Appalachian mountains, visit National Wildlife Refuges across the country, or put your girls in the control seat by having them volunteer at a national park, refuge, local animal shelter, or even picking up trash on the roadside.

Wildlife is as important as the preservation of the natural surroundings of their habitats. If you’d prefer a field trip in the city, look to aquariums and zoos such as the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans, one of the top wildlife complexes in the country with wonderful programs suited for Girl Scout troops. Also, if you are on the coast, head to the beach for some fun in the sun. Learn about the ocean, practice your surfing or body-boarding, and have a sandcastle building contest. The possibilities are endless and the chances are there are parks and nature destinations near you.

For your next Girl Scout field trip , you may very well want to experience something new and entertaining without completely compromising character-building principles. This is where the arts and cultures come in handy such as a trip to Broadway to see a show. If New York City is too far, Chicago has an excellent theater district as does Seattle and Branson, Missouri which has been named the live entertainment capital of the world with over 100 live shows playing year-round. Some of the best amusement parks in the U.S. such as Universal Studios and Disneyland, offer group programs perfect for Girl Scout troops of any age so you can learn and have fun simultaneously. Take a walk through Manhattan’s Garment District to learn more about the fashion industry, visit the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and see where NASA officials launch astronauts into space or explore San Francisco’s famous Chinatown. There are thousands of educational opportunities all over the country that are exciting, unusual, and new to your troop.

Girl Scouts Pixabay Public Domain

Even the smallest of tasks or shortest of trips can spark inspirations and lifelong passions in your girls so have fun, experience new things, and be the best Girl Scout troop you can be!

Written by Josh Hettinger

View all posts by: Josh Hettinger

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Girl Scout Destinations

Are you ready for the ultimate adventure?

Girl Scout Destinations are the ultimate adventure for individual Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts. Push past your comfort zone by applying for a trip on your own, and make friends from all over the country as you travel with new Girl Scout friends. There’s a unique, life-changing experience for everyone.

Find the adventure of your lifetime. Search now. 

For Advanced Search, use the grade level you will be entering next Fall to get the correct listings for your age.

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Not a Girl Scout yet? It’s easy to join to get access to these amazing trips.

This trip was an absolutely incredible way to prove to myself that I am strong, both inside and out.

Traveling and taking these life skills out into the real world is what it means to be a Girl Scout.

Destinations fill up quickly, so get your application in today!

Trips that still have space will accept applications on a rolling basis until full.

Why is there an application process for Destinations?

Destinations are the ultimate Girl Scout travel experience. Each Destination is made up of a group of Girl Scouts who are passionate about the experience and have the prior travel experience to make their participation a success. Your application helps tell the Destination host that you’re ready to take this step, and exactly why this is the best Destination for you. (Plus, it’s good practice for the college and job applications coming in your future!)

I am a parent or troop leader. Can I attend a Destination with my Girl Scout?

Destinations are for Girl Scouts who already have some travel experience and are ready to take an independent journey. The Girl Scout councils and partners planning these trips have the adult chaperone roles covered; parents and troop leaders may not attend.

Can my troop sign up for a Destination?

Destinations are designed for individual Girl Scouts, with a range of options to help every Girl Scout find the trip that really sparks their interest. Troops interested in planning a trip should check out the Group Travel page for opportunities. [LINK]

Does Girl Scouts of the USA run these trips?

No. Each Destination trip has a “host,” which is either a Girl Scout council or a Girl Scout partner. Girl Scouts apply for Destinations, and if accepted, they enroll with that host organization. Girl Scouts of the USA does not organize or run any Destinations.

Who can answer my questions about the itinerary or trip details?

Look on each Destination page for the “host” information; that contact can answer your questions about their trip.

These seem amazing, but also expensive. How do Girl Scouts pay for Destinations?

Through Girl Scouts of the USA’s D-Pass grant program, more than one-third of Girls Scouts who enroll on Destinations receive a financial grant from their local council. Check with your local council about grant availability. Many Girl Scout councils also allow Girl Scouts to use proceeds from the cookie program and fall product sale to support participation, and there may be opportunities to link up with other Destination participations for some group money earning. Destination participants also often work at part-time jobs to finance their participation.

How can I create a Destination?

Girl Scout councils have the opportunity to propose new Destinations each year in late winter or early spring. Get in touch with your local council if you have a hosting idea.

From local day trips to traversing the globe, discover quick getaways and road trips.

Meeting Plans and Ideas for Scout Leaders From Daisies to Ambassadors

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Free Girl Scout Field Trips

For troops on a budget who want to earn badges, there are several retail establishments that will provide you with free Girl Scout field trips.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Updated July 2023 

As both a teacher and a Girl Scout leader, I can tell you that children love to go on field trips. It is a way to learn that is a welcome change in the routine. Each of my roles has me filling out paperwork and getting the appropriate number of volunteers, and it is always fulfilling to see how much fun the children have. It is certainly worth the extra effort!

There are major franchises around the country that offer free programs that will enable your troop to earn badges or parts of badges. Here are some that are not only free, but have also been recommended by other leaders on various Facebook groups.

Please keep in mind that you will have to search on each site to see if which locations offer these free programs, as not all do.

Another way to find free programs is to do a simple Google search and plug in “Free Girl Scout Programs (insert your state, city, town). Some Girl Scout councils have free local programming on their websites as well.

Before Your Field Trip

Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Field Trip

As of spring 2023, this field trip now has a per person cost, which varies by location. call your local chain to find out what it is..

On this tasty field trip, girls will learn how this business originated and the history of pretzels. After this, the troop will be taught how to roll their own pretzel with dough that is provided for them to use. At the end, the girls get a tasty treat of an Auntie Anne’s pretzel and lemonade.

Photo from Pixabay

To find participating locations, visit the Auntie Anne’s website here and fill in your zip code to find the store nearest you that offers these tours.

Microsoft Store

This is not longer available.

With a lot of emphasis on STEAM, and with technology being a necessity now and not just a tool for keeping children occupied, a field trip to a Microsoft Store is an appropriate field trip for all levels of scouts. Brownies can earn the Computer Expert badge, Juniors can earn the Digital Photography badge and they are able to do a few of the STEM badges like the robotics .

Check out the Microsoft Store website here and see if a location near you is offering the program.

Photo from Pexels

Free Girl Scout Field Trip to the Apple Retail Store

The Apple Store has trips for educators and youth groups of all ages. Leaders can tailor their trips for their level and the badges they wish to earn. For more information, you can check out the Apple website for a full FAQ section.

August 2022 UPDATE – This particular workshop is no longer available. It will soon be replaced with another one.

Free Girl Scout Field Trip REI Workshops

REI is a company that celebrates life in the great outdoors. That ties in perfectly with Girl Scouts! Local stores offer programs specifically for scouts. If you do not see one available, contact your local REI store and see if they can create an event for your girls or your Service Unit.

You can find your local REI store here.

Then search under the “Classes and Events” tab. If nothing appears, call you local store to see if you can arrange your own event.

If you do not have any of these stores nearby, there are still plenty of free Girl Scout field trips that you can take.

Discussing financial literacy with girls can seem too much like school work. Instead of earning leaves that way, why not go on a tour of your local bank ? Many will have some fun swag to offer your girls at the end (pens, folders, frisbees) and you can ask if they have a fun patch to go with their program (some banks have them available to purchase).

Visit the Animal Shelter

The girls can do a service project and go on a free field trip, like my troop did when they earned the Bronze Award several years ago. While you do not have to go in depth like we did as we spent months on this project, you can either have the girls bring in donations or you can make pet toys at a meeting prior to your trip. Most kids love animals, and this is an opportunity for a shelter to show the community how much they help the animals in need.

Dance/Karate/Gymnastic Studios

When my girls were Brownies, we went on a free field trip to a karate dojo near our school. A parent had an older child who went there, and the owners were more than happy to have our troop attend a free class. Use your connections-or just pick up the phone-and call and find out if a local business is willing to host a class for free.

What have you done for free with your troop?

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Where in the world will Girl Scouts take you?

Girl Scouts offers many travel opportunities so girls can see new places, meet new people, and learn about different cultures and ideas. Whether exploring exploring sites in the United States to other countries to flying to one of the four World Centres, Girl Scouts are continually expanding their horizons.

Girl Scout Destinations are the ultimate travel adventure for individual Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts! Make friends from all over the country as you travel with Girl Scouts from different states, see and learn new things, and pack your bags full of inspiring, life-changing experiences and memories.

Global Travel

Travel around the world with other Girl Scouts from GSCI! Council trips are open to currently registered members going into sixth grade through those graduating high school, as well as registered volunteers. As these trips are led by council staff, girls are welcome and encouraged to travel independently! 

Often traveling in June, we alternate between international and domestic trips. Trips range from a few days to two weeks and at times offer unique opportunities to earn area specific badges.

As we look to our future, possible council-led journeys include: Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef, Dog sledding in Alaska, exploring ancient ruins in Italy and Greece, having tea at Juliette Gordon Low’s childhood home, and more!

Ready to pack your bags? Check out our 2024 and 2025 itineraries!

2024 - US National Parks - Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion

2025 - Japan: Land of the Rising Sun

Local Travel

Want to start your travel-log but not quite a Cadette? Have a calendar that’s super busy? Maybe you just want to explore the beautiful Midwest? Our bus trips may be for you! 

Yearly, we take a bus trip to somewhere semi-local and we would like to invite you to join us! Bus trips are generally day trips and are open to the whole family. Last year, we found ourselves exploring Chicago’s Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium. Girls and adults alike had a blast learning and laughing together. These day trips are perfect for younger girls, entire troops, and those newer to Girl Scouting! We’re excited to announce our future trips in the coming months- we think you’re going to love this one!

Be on the lookout for more info in the Fall/Winter Adventure Guide. 

We don’t want finances to limit any Girl Scout. Our travel company offers scholarship opportunities and payment plans, while our council offers Travel Dough as a Cookie Reward. For more info on Travel Dough click here. For information about EF’s scholarship opportunities, contact Meg Anderson   at [email protected] .

Informational meetings about our upcoming council-led travel opportunities happen year round. Be sure to check the Events Calendar . Can’t make it to a meeting? Schedule a one-on-one travel chat with Meg Anderson at [email protected]. This is a great way to present the trip in a troop meeting or ask really specific questions.

GSUSA Destination

Attending a GSUSA Destination can be an incredible, life changing experience. To ensure all Girl Scouts have access to such a unique travel opportunity, GSCI is excited to participate in GSUSA’s D-Pass program !

The D-Pass is a grant, awarded to GSCI, to support girl travel on GSUSA Destinations, with a focus on girls in need. The grant financially supports girls who otherwise would not be able to attend a Destination and helps to ensure diverse representation in Destinations. Think of the D-Pass like financial aid for travel!

• Funding is for registered members of Girl Scouts of Central Illinois only.
• Funding can only be used for Destinations (cannot be used for Council Travel, troop travel, travel to National Council Session/Convention, or for any other council-sponsored trips).
• Girl Scouts applying for funding must have already been admitted to a Destination. The application requires proof of acceptance, such as an acceptance email from the Destination sponsor.
• Each girl awarded should also demonstrate a willingness to contribute through participation in money-earning activities (through product sales such as the Cookie Program, other money-earning activities, or personal money-earning).
• Once funding decisions are made, applicants will be notified via email.
• If unable to attend the Destination, the applicant will notify GSCI, and the Destination sponsor immediately to request a refund.

2024 D- Pass Grant Timeline

• December 20, 2023: Application closes
• January 15, 2024: Funding decisions announced

Reporting Requirements

Applicant must complete a D-Pass Grant Girl Response From and submit a picture from their Destination to GSCI by September 15, 2024.

Recipes, Crafts, and Activities

Fun Field Trip Ideas for Girl Scouts

Having fun with your friends is what Girl Scouts is all about. Here are some fun activities you can do with your troop. You may even be able to work in a requirement for earning a badge!

Bowling Alley

Go behind the lanes and see how the ball gets back to you after you bowl your strike. Learn bowling terminology, then enjoy a game of bowling.

Build-A-Bear Workshop

We celebrated the end of our first year of Brownies at Build-A-Bear Workshop. Each bear received a troop t-shirt and a Brownie uniform (you can custom order embroidered shirts with your troop number and the year). You can work in community service by having each scout build a second bear to be donated to a children’s charity.

Craft Stores

Your favorite craft store may offer Scout projects to do as a fun activity or to help earn a badge. Check in with Guest Services at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores . Our Jo-Ann Superstore offers a Girl Scout Sewing Badge program, where the girls can make a bag or purse or they can select a service project like Project Linus or Binkie Patrol.

Dairy Queen

Some franchise locations offer tours of their restaurants to show how the facility operates with the tour ending with each girl making a Dairy Queen cone!

Fire Department

Tour your local fire department and get a behind-the-scenes look at the station, climb into a fire truck, and learn about fire safety. Some departments will even teach your group basic first aid. For Brownies, use this visit to help earn the “Safety Sense” Try-It badge. Add community service to your visit by making treats and cards for the firemen.

Pizza Parlor

See if your local pizza joint will let you come in and make your own pizzas. The girls will be able to select their own toppings, and enjoy their own creations. You can work in a lesson about healthy eating, and how pizza can be a good food choice, though some parents may disagree.

Theme Park Sleepovers

Sea World and the Wild Animal Park in San Diego offer Scout Sleepovers where your troop can sleep with the animals after participating in some fun and educational activities. Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park has also offered a Scout Sleepover where Snoopy will come tuck you in at night.

Newport Sports Museum

Visit this sports museum in Newport Beach to learn more about the history of sports. The museum will invite a guest speaker for groups with a minimum of 30 youths in attendance.

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• Travel Events
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Girl Scout Trips and Travel Opportunities

You’re going places, girl scout. .

When you plan your own Girl Scout trip—whether it’s Brownies packing their first weekend bag or Seniors boarding a plane to check out Girl Scout history in Savannah, Georgia—you’ll build courage, confidence, and lifelong skills like organization, time management, and how to work as team to succeed when things don’t go as planned.

You’ll also build connections outside your own community and make memories to last a lifetime.

Wherever you’re looking to travel—even to countries around the world—Girl Scouts can get you there.

From local day trips to traversing the globe, try out planning tools and discover events you can join.

If you’re in sixth grade or older, you can travel independently and meet Girl Scouts from around the world on Girl Scout Destinations. 

Check out small-group trips for alums and supporters through our partnership with Club Adventures, a AAA-owned tour operator.

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