Council-Organized Trips
From local sights and landmarks to those around the world, Girl Scouts has an adventure opportunity for every type of traveler. Girl Scouts of Northern California offers annual trips for youth in the Cadette, Senior and Ambassador levels from around the council to travel together and experience new adventures. Special money earning, scholarship, and financial aid opportunities are available to youth travelers to help pay for their council-organized trips!
General Information
- Trips are open to Girl Scouts 11-18; please see each trip for specific age range availability.
- Girl Scouts can utilize Product Rewards to pay for their trip.
- Travelers should have proper government ID as required to travel.
- Exclusive money-earning opportunities are available for youth signed up for council trips and GSUSA Destinations.
- Groups/patrols are welcome on council trips.
- Financial aid is available to youth who meet council requirements.
- Trip prices include flights from SFO airport, but travelers must make their own arrangements to get to and from the airport.
- Please read full details of the trip to see what is and what is not included.
Click Each Upcoming Trip to Learn More
For more information on how to enroll in any of these trips, please contact our Member Services Department at info@gsnorcal.org or call 800-447-4475, ext. 2093, Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM.
Washington, D.C. Trip for Youth Ages 11–15!
From Tuesday, July 21 – Sunday, July 26, 2026, a group of GSNorCal youth will head to Washington, D.C. for a youth-led leadership and travel adventure—no adults (other than trip leaders) will be participating as travelers.
Travelers will help plan the trip activities before departure and will have the chance to:
Attend portions of the National Council Session (NCS)—a unique opportunity to see how national Girl Scout decisions are made.
Explore the Unite Expo and other attractions in D.C., choosing what interests them most.
Get a taste of what it’s like to be a National Delegate in the future and understand the process before they’re eligible.
Fee: $2,000 per youth
Financial assistance is available from the council.
Open to youth who will be ages 11–15 at the time of the trip. Space is limited- registration will remain open until all spots are filled (no competitive application process).
Destinations
Girl Scout Destinations are the ultimate adventure for individual Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts. Push past your comfort zone by applying for a trip on your own, and make friends from all over the country as you travel with new Girl Scout friends. There’s a unique, life-changing experience for everyone.
These domestic and international trips are sponsored by Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and organized by Girl Scout councils. Descriptions of all upcoming trips and application details can be found on GSUSA’s website.
Descriptions of the upcoming Destinations organized by GSNorCal are below.
Pandas and Pagodas – The Great China Adventure: June 22-July 3, 2026
About the Trip
Travelers will land in San Francisco on Day 1 and choose their own adventure in “The City.” The group will come together that first evening and get to know each other a bit better before we leave for China on Day 2. Once we arrive in Beijing, we will start to explore the city, culture and history of the country. No trip to Beijing could be complete without amazing food, a visit to the forbidden City, an acrobatics show and of course a walk on the Great Wall!
Next we’ll fly to Chengdu and explore the sights and culture of the area including a trip up the mountain in a cable car for stunning views of the town below. On Day 8 we will travel to Ya’an and the world famous Bifengxia Panda Base. We will spend 2 days there, exploring the forests and volunteering at the base. Our last light in China will be a hot pot feast with time to reflect on the adventure and thank our wonderful tour guide before we head back to California.
When we return to California we will have time to fit in one more adventure of the groups’ choosing before we have our closing ceremony and heading home.
These twelve days will change your life forever.
Who Should Apply?
- Age: Girl Scouts entering grades 9-12 in fall 2026.
- Interests: Travel, trying new things, passion for animals, service and culture.
- Requirements: Able to walk several miles per day in hot temperatures; function in crowded spaces, be supportive of fellow travelers and comfortable working in teams. Open to exploring new cultures and environments.
- Required equipment: Passport valid until Dec 24, 2026 A detailed packing list will be provided after acceptance.
- Ignite Your Passion! This trip is great for Girl Scouts who love animals, foreign cultures and new experiences.
The Cost
Program Fee: $5,750 ($5,250 due to WorldStrides and $500 to Girl Scouts NorCal)
The program fee includes round-trip airfare from San Francisco to China, program in China, activities and tips, plus lodging, transportation, and activities in San Francisco before and after the international flights.
Girls will need to arrange and pay for transportation to San Francisco, CA. The fee does not include travel insurance offered by WorldStrides but purchasing is strongly recommended.
Deposit due upon acceptance: $500. (This deposit is included in your trip Program Fee, not in addition to it.)
Final payment is due April 2026. Cancellations will follow Explorica’s policies.
Financial aid may be available. Check with your local council. Explorica/ WorldStides also offers need-based financial aid; see website for details.
Extreme California: July 9–17, 2026
About the Trip
From bonfires on the beach to ziplining and high-energy days exploring San Francisco, this trip is packed with unforgettable experiences and just the right amount of chill. You’ll get to shape your own experience with two choose-your-own-adventure days, dive into exciting activities like rafting, kayaking, indoor skydiving, relax at iconic NorCal beaches, and bond with fellow Girl Scouts over campfires, shared meals, and unforgettable memories. This is your chance to unplug, explore, and make summer 2026 one to remember.
Travelers will land in San Francisco and spend the evening getting to know their team and the surrounding areas. Day 2 is the first choose your own adventure where you will explore the things that interest you in small groups with some of our local Girl Scouts to help you navigate. Your time at the San Francisco base will include service, exploration, a nighttime zipline in the redwood canopies and of course some good Californian cuisine.
From the San Francisco base, we will road trip to the heart of California for more high adventure with a ropes course visit, whitewater rafting and another choose your own adventure day from our Sacramento base.
Just when you think you’ve done it all, we’ll move to our Santa Cruz base where you will skydive indoors, kayak with otters, and end the trip at the beach for a day of roller coasters & thrills.
Who Should Apply?
- Age: Girl Scouts entering grades 6–8 in summer 2026. (Rising 6th graders are encouraged to apply with a buddy! Find a fellow Girl Scout, or encourage any friend to join Girl Scouts and come with you. If you are applying with a buddy, please mention their name in your application essay.)
- Interests: A passion for teamwork, high adventure, and extreme activities.
- Requirements: Open for adventures and new things of all types. Able to handle 2+ hour drives in a van, be supportive of fellow travelers, and comfortable working in teams. To be able to participate in all activities, you should weigh 45-250 pounds (over 70 lbs for ziplining) and be 45”- 6’6” tall. No hard casts for multiple adventures.
- Required equipment: Good walking shoes and a great attitude. Detailed packing list will be provided after acceptance.
- Ignite Your Passion! This trip is great for Girl Scouts who crave adventure.
The Cost
Total value of the experience: $2,000
Thanks to generous Girl Scout donors, we are excited to share that each participant accepted to this trip will receive a 35% discount, reducing the cost by $700. No extra steps needed — the grant is automatically applied once you’re accepted!
You pay: $1,300
The program fee includes activities, lodging, meals, and transportation. Program fee does not include airfare. Girls will need to arrange transportation to San Francisco, CA.
Deposit due upon acceptance: $250. (This deposit is included in your trip Program Fee, not in addition to it.)
Final payment is due in 2026, and February 1, 2026 is the last day to cancel and receive a refund (minus the deposit.)
Financial aid may be available. Check with your local council.
Host and Contact Info
Girl Scouts of Northern California | https://www.gsnorcal.org/
Meridith Forristal, norcalgstravel@gmail.com, 510-600-3947
Last updated on November 7, 2025