Safety Standards Appropriate Behavior Adult volunteers must uphold the Girl Scout Promise and Law. When with Girl Scouts or representing the organization, refrain from: •
Consuming alcohol
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Smoking or vaping
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Using foul language
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Breaking laws (e.g., texting while driving, trespassing)
Drugs and Alcohol Policy •
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Volunteers and adults may not purchase, use, or be under the influence of alcohol, recreational drugs, or impairing medications during Girl Scout activities, while conducting Girl Scout business, or in the presence of youth members. Alcohol or substances that impair judgment must not be used near youth members or before Girl Scout activities.
Events with Alcohol •
Alcohol may be served to adults of legal age at events where no youth members are present, with approval of the council’s board of directors or chief executive officer.
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Girl Scouts may attend events at venues where alcohol is sold (e.g., stadiums or theaters) if alcohol is consumed elsewhere, away from youth members.
Firearms and Weapons Policy Firearms and weapons are prohibited at all Girl Scout activities and on Girl Scout–owned or –leased properties, except in specific cases when they are: •
Carried by a law enforcement officer
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Held by council-authorized property staff
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Used by licensed wildlife control personnel
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Controlled by a certified instructor during a council-approved Girl Scout program activity
Volunteers and adults must not carry firearms or ammunition in the presence of Girl Scouts unless they have special permission from the council for target sports activities.
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All shooting sports equipment must be kept under lock when not in active use. Ammunition must be stored in a separate locked area.
Transporting Girl Scouts Parents/guardians are individually responsible for deciding how to transport their Girl Scouts to and from meetings.
Private Vehicles Privately Owned Vehicles Individual Transportation such as with regular Girl Scout meetings, is decided and arranged by parents/ guardians. Unless Girl Scouts coordinate transportation as a group for an activity or trip, individuals are responsible for arranging their own transportation for their own child. Group Transportation such as when Girl Scouts travel as a group for an activity or trip, is typically coordinated by Girl Scout leaders and involves arranging transportation for others. When arranging group transportation with multiple drivers, ensure the following: •
Drivers are registered, background-checked adult volunteers with a valid license, safe driving record, and registered/insured vehicle, who meet council policies for driving.
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Drivers are at least 21 years old. Experience matters, make sure drivers have the ability and maturity for driving groups of children. Note that: Girl Scout youth members are not permitted to drive other members.
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For single-vehicle travel, at least two unrelated, background-checked adult volunteers, one of them female, must be present.
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For multi-car travel, the entire group must include at least two unrelated, background-checked adult volunteers, one of them female. Each car must have at least one adult, and the group should travel the same route during the same time period.
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