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How can you, as a Girl Scout volunteer, determine whether an activity is safe and appropriate? Good judgment and common sense often dictate the answer. What’s safe in one circumstance may not be safe in another. An incoming storm, for example, might force you to assess or discontinue an activity. If you are uncertain about the safety of an activity, call GS-TOP staff with full details and don’t proceed without approval. Err on the side of caution and make the safety of girls your most important consideration. Prior to any activity, read the specific Safety Activity Checkpoints (available on GS-TOP’s website or you may request a printed copy from your regional office) related to any activity you plan to do with girls.

When planning activities with girls, note the abilities of each girl and carefully consider the progression of skills from the easiest part to the most difficult. Make sure the complexity of the activity does not exceed girls’ individual skills—bear in mind that skill levels decline when people are tired, hungry, or under stress. Also use activities as opportunities for building teamwork, which is one of the outcomes for the connect key in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

Health Histories (Including Examinations and Immunizations)

Each council handles health histories differently. The staff at your council office may take care of obtaining and storing girls’ health histories—which may include a physician’s examination and a list of immunizations—as needed. Or, you may be asked to maintain these records for your group. Either way, keep in mind that information from a health examination is confidential and may be shared only with people who must know this information (such as the girl herself, her parent/guardian, and a health practitioner).

GS-TOP provides Girl Health History forms to troops through the council’s website, troop registration packets and at council offices. Completion of this form is optional and any information provided on the form can only be shared with individuals who must know the information.

For various reasons, some parents/guardians may object to immunizations or medical examinations. Councils must attempt to make provisions for these girls to attend Girl Scout functions in a way that accommodates these concerns.

It is important for you to also be aware of council policies regarding any medications a girl may take or allergies she may have.

• Prescriptions and/or over the counter medications must be in the original container, carefully labeled with the girl’s name and dosage, and must be accompanied by written instruction from a custodial parent, legal guardian or a physician. Some girls may need to carry and administer their own medications, such as bronchial inhalers, an EpiPen, or diabetes medication.

• Prescriptions and/or over the counter medications will be administered to a girl by or in the presence of the responsible adult and only with written permission from a custodial parent, legal guardian or a physician.

• The troop leader must document each dose of medication administered, showing the child’s name, the name of the medicine, date, time, and amount administered, as well as the person’s name administering the medication. The record must be kept at least one month.

• Common food allergies include dairy products, eggs, soy, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, and seafood. This means that, before serving any food (such as peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cookies, or chips), ask whether anyone is allergic to peanuts, dairy products, or wheat! Even Girl Scout Daisies and Brownies should be aware of their allergies, but double-checking with their parents/guardians is always a good idea.

Girl Scout Activity Accident Insurance and Reports

A portion of the individual annual membership dues pays for supplementary insurance for the member only. This insurance provides up to a specified maximum for medical expenses incurred as a result of an accident while a member is participating in an approved, supervised Girl Scout activity, after the individual’s primary insurance pays out. This is one reason that all adults and girls should be registered members. Non-registered parents, tagalongs (brothers, sisters, friends), and other persons are not covered by basic coverage.

This insurance coverage is not intended to diminish the need for or replace family health insurance. And it does not duplicate medical-expense benefits collected under other programs, so after approximately $100 in benefits have been paid under this plan, the family’s medical insurance takes over. If there is no family insurance or healthcare program, a specified maximum of medical benefits is available.

An optional plan of activity insurance is available for Girl Scouts taking extended trips and for non-members who participate in Girl Scout activities. These plans are secondary insurance that individuals are entitled to receive while participating in any approved, supervised Girl Scout activity. Optional insurance coverage is available for any Girl Scout activity that involves non-Girl Scouts or lasts longer than three days and two nights. Contact your regional office to find out how to apply. GS-TOP may make this mandatory, in some cases, particularly for overseas travel.

For more information on Activity Accident Insurance for Troop Activities see GS-TOP council policy in Chapter 6: Policies, Permissions and Insurance.

Review the Girl Scouts insurance plan description at www.mutualofomaha.com/girl_scouts_of_the_usa/index.html.