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Whether the trip is a day hike or a cross-country trek, the basic steps of trip planning are essentially the same. It’s true that as the locale gets farther away, the itinerary more complex, and the trip of greater duration, the details become richer and more complex, but planning every trip—from a day-long event to an international trek—starts by asking the following:

• What do we hope to experience?

• Who will we want to talk to and meet? What will you ask?

• Where are we interested in going?

• When are we all available to go?

• Will everyone in our group be able to go?

• Are there physical barriers that cannot be accommodated?

• What are visiting hours and the need for advance reservations?

• What are our options for getting there?

• What’s the least and most this trip could cost?

• What can we do now to get ourselves ready?

• How will we earn the money?

• What’s the availability of drinking water, restrooms, and eating places?

• Where is emergency help available?

• What safety factors must we consider?

• What will we do as we travel?

• What will we do when we get there?

• How will we share the take-action story?

As girls answer these questions, they begin the trip-planning process. In time, girls can make specific arrangements, attend to a myriad of details, create a budget and handle money, and accept responsibility for their personal conduct and safety. And later, after they’ve returned from an event or trip, girls also have the chance to evaluate their experiences and share them with others.

Reengaging Girls

The end of this trip doesn’t have to be the end of a girls’ time with Girl Scouting. Some girls participate in Girl Scouting in all sorts of ways; others are excited only about travel. What lies ahead for them—and for you?

• Girls who have never been involved in any other way besides travel may be looking for longer-term opportunities closer at home. Younger Cadettes may want to participate in resident camp, while Seniors and Ambassadors—as well as older Cadettes—will want to hear all about upcoming series and events offered by the Council, local or national events.

• Girls who have traveled once tend to want to travel again. Be sure girls are aware that other travel opportunities, such as destinations (www.studio2b.org/escape/destinations), will exist for them in the years ahead. Destinations is a Travel Pathway offered through Girl Scouts of the USA which includes national and inter-national travel opportunities for individual Girl Scouts, Cadettes and older. Visit www.girlscouts.org/forgirls/travel for complete details. The great experiences they had on this trip may have prepared them for longer and more global trips in the future.

• Girls may want to hear about the Girl Scout Silver and Gold Awards, which are opportunities for them to make a dramatic difference in their communities . . . and to have plenty to brag about with college admissions officers, too!

• And what about you? If you’re ready for more opportunities to work with girls, be sure to let GS-TOP know how you’d like to be a part of girls’ lives in the future. Are you ready for a year-long volunteer opportunity with a troop? help organize a series or event? take another trip? The possibilities are endless.