One of your responsibilities as a volunteer is to safeguard the health of the girls in your group and instill in them a sense of safety. This responsibility may take the form of:

• Working to prevent injury or illness to girls and other volunteers

• Demonstrating a concern for the health and safety of the individuals for whom you are responsible

• Honoring pluralism and diversity so that girls feel emotionally safe—that is, accepted by and connected with you and other girls in your group

Girl Scouts requires you to:

• Observe all safety guidelines and Safety Activity Checkpoints, as well as procedures outlined by the council, including those that supplement or augment Girl Scouts standards. Also be sure to follow local, state, and federal laws and ordinances.

• Stay cognizant of the locale, weather, and other conditions before, during, and after an activity.

• Involve girls in safety planning (events should be girl-led, but girls will require guidance from you on staying safe).

• Be a positive role model for girls, adhering to the following guidelines at all times:

• Don’t use illegal drugs!

• Don’t smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol in the presence of girls.  This includes not allowing the adults with you on events and outings to smoke either.  They must be away from the girls during any Girl Scout function if they are smoking.  This is not about morality; it is about promoting a healthy lifestyle.

• Don’t engage in child abuse of any kind. Abuse includes neglect, physical injury, emotional maltreatment including verbal abuse of a child, and sexual abuse. Sexual advances, improper touching, and sexual activity of any kind with girl members are strictly prohibited.

• Don’t carry firearms or ammunition in the presence of girls. If you’re facilitating a marksmanship activity, you must get council permission for this activity, and then transport weapons separately. The minimum age for girls using firearms in highly supervised activities is 12 years old.

• Take advantage of the learning opportunities offered by the council.

FAILURE TO FOLLOW GIRL SCOUTS SAFETY PROCEDURES LEAVES YOU LIABLE IN THE EVENT THAT SOMETHING UNFORSEEN HAPPENS!  DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU … FOLLOW THE SAFETY ACTIVITY CHECKPOINTS AT ALL TIMES!

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Responsibilities of Parents and Guardians