Security and Risk Management

  Camp.  © GSUSA.  All rights reserved.

More and more in today's world, leaders need to consider not only how to keep the girls safe from accidents but also safe from other people.

Consider the items below to help ensure a safe trip.

  • Girls should always use the buddy system (stay with a buddy at all times).

  • Train the girls on how to react to a stranger in the campsite.

  • Plan for proper adult supervision.  Remember the girl/adult ratio when you leave your meeting place.  You need more adults along.  (See Safety-Wise page 69)

  • Train the extra adults! You let the girls know what is expected of them; do the same with the adults!

  • If you are at a public park or campsite, check with the supervisor or local law enforcement on the security history of the campsite.  Would they camp there with young girls?

  • Before you go, inform law enforcement officials of where you plan to camp.  Ask if they can increase patrols in the area.

  • If at all possible, visit the site before you go with girls.  Look for:

    • fencing or other perimeter security
    • location of telephone and site manager's office
    • available lighting
    • distance from tent sites to toilet facilities
    • whether tents can be pitched within sight of each other
    • closeness of tent sites to roads or other boundaries
    • nearby parking so that you can safely store your equipment in your car
    • what other groups will use the campground when you are there
    • other public buildings nearby, and do they make you more or less comfortable with the site? (for example, would you feel safer knowing the sheriff's office or a bar was ¼ mile away?)
    • availability of cell phone coverage at this site

  • Firearms are a danger to the girls.  If you feel you need firearms for protection at the site, choose another site.  Safety-Wise requires firearms be left at home.

  • Leave pets at home.  You'll want to focus on your Girl Scouts.  Imagine how torn you'd be if something happened to your pet, but your responsibility was to your girls first.

    • Whistle.  © GSUSA.  All rights reserved.
  • Develop an alarm system to signal your girls in an emergency.

  • Design a plan to evacuate the girls if an emergency arises (flooding, for example).  Do you have enough cars? If not, how will you quickly arrange transportation?

  • If males accompany the group, they will need separate sleeping and toilet facilities.




Let's Review:

1)  True  False  Men are not allowed on Girl Scout camping events.
2)  True  False  The same girl/adult ratio applies to camping as to troop meetings.
3)  True  False  Assess the safety issues of a site before you take girls there.
4)  True  False  The "buddy system" means always telling a buddy where you're going.
5)  True  False  Firearms are not allowed on GS camping trips.
 

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