Safety Activity Checkpoints
Safety Activity Checkpoints (SAC) provides the standard safety guidelines for Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) and GSNorCal’s approved activities.
In this document, you will find GSUSA’s and GSNorCal’s standard safety guidelines, by topic, which apply to all Girl Scout activities.
Activities At A Glance
Girl Scout activities require consideration by the safe and caring adults who guide Girl Scouts as they plan each activity. Awareness of the abilities of each member and considering the progression of skills it takes from the easiest to the most difficult part is the role of adults. Making sure the complexity of an activity does not exceed an individual’s ability is why Girl Scouts safety activity checkpoints are based on progressive experience.
Certain activities have been rated by Girl Scouts’ national and local insurance company as high risk. High risk activities activities require prior council approval via the Trip/High Adventure Approval form.
As you explore the many options to engage Girl Scout members in exciting activities, you will notice that there are recommendations for some activities to start at an older grade level. These recommendations are based on progressive experience and have taken into consideration the emotional, physical, and developmental stages of participants and are intended to guide you as you plan activities with them. The ultimate goal is for Girl Scout members to feel confident and comfortable with each planned activity.
| Activities at a Glance | D | B | J | C | S | A | High Risk? | Approval Required? | Additional Comments |
| Aerial Fitness | x | x | x | Not Required | Includes silks, hoops, trapeze. Verify instructor experience and credentials. | ||||
| Amusement Parks | x | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required* | *Trips to amusement parks that involve overnight travel must still be approved by council. | |
| Animal Interaction and Adventure | x | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required | ||
| Backpacking | * | * | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | *Backpacking is not recommended for Daisies and Brownies due to weight restrictions on their small frames and the need, when backpacking, to be able to carry all their supplies. For Daisies and Brownies, refer to Hiking Activity Checkpoints. |
| Bicycling | x | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required | Council approval may be required for long rides or difficult terrain. | |
| Camping | x | x | x | x | x | x | Required | Ensure that at least one adult has completed Camp Out training and any relevant additional modules (Sleep In/Out, Cook In/Out, Campfire). | |
| Challenge Courses | * | * | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Instructor trained and certified by a verified agency who demonstrates competence in equipment maintenance, safety and rescue techniques, proper use of the course, and hands on training. *Daisies and Brownies may participate only in activities that have been designed for their grade levels and that have equipment that suits the size and ability of each Girl Scout member. Outdoor high ropes and high elements are only permitted for Juniors and older. |
| Climbing and Rappelling | * | * | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | *Daisies and Brownies are permitted to boulder, slackline, and do low challenge elements. Note that Daisies and Brownies may participate only in activities designed for their ages, with equipment suitable to the size and ability of each Girl Scout member. *Brownies can participate in most indoor climbing activities provided a minimum of one facilitator and an additional adult are present, and facilitators are skilled in selecting appropriate activities, teaching, and supervising spotting and lowering techniques, and modifying tasks to meet any specific needs. Outdoor high ropes, high elements, and rappelling are only permitted for Juniors and older. |
| Recreational Tree Climbing | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | A certified instructor with documented experience in leading and teaching tree climbing is required. In recreational tree climbing, climbers use ropes, harnesses, saddles, and climbing techniques to ascend into the crowns of trees. | ||
| Zip Lining | * | * | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | *Not permitted for daisies, except for playground zip lines. *Canopy tours are not permitted for Daisies or Brownies on non-Girl Scout sites. |
| Community Clean-Up | x | x | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Check grade-permission levels that apply to the individual type of projects that are outlines in the Community Clean-Up Safety Activity Checkpoints. For example, beachfront, waterways, parks, and roadsides. |
| Computer and Internet Use | x | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required | All Girl Scout Members, as well as their parents and guardians, must read, agree to, and abide by the Girl Scout Internet Safety Pledge when online. | |
| Virtual Troop Meetings | x | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required | Adults check with their Girl Scout council if they have any questions about which video conferencing service to use. Always follow the Virtual Meeting Activity Checkpoints. | |
| Cookie and Product Programs | x | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required | Adults must accompany Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors when they are selling, taking orders, and delivering products. Adults oversee Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors and must be aware of how, when, and where they are when selling products. | |
| Cross-Country Skiing | x | x | x | x | x | *Not Required | Skiing trips that involve overnight travel must receive council approval. First Aider has a current certificate in first aid including adult and child CPR or CPR/AED and is prepared to handle cases of frostbite, cold exposure, hypothermia, sprains, and altitude sickness. Not recommended for Daisies due to complexity and strength. | ||
| Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding | x | x | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Instructors are certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA) and the American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI) or equivalent certification. |
| Fencing | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required | One adult is a certified fencing instructor or has equivalent certification or documented experience. Ensure there is a ratio of one instructor for every ten fencers. For questions about instructor qualification, check with council | ||
| Fishing and Ice Fishing | x | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required | Adult or fishing instructor completes Girl Scouts small craft safety training or has equivalent certification or documented experience (competencies); the ratio of instructor-to-participant is one-to-ten. | |
| Geocaching | * | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required | *Daisies are permitted when working with older Girl Scout members and adults as part of another outdoor activity. | |
| Go-Karting | * | x | x | x | Yes | Required | *Juniors may not independently drive go-karts unless on a rail system. | ||
| Hayrides | x | x | x | x | x | x | Required | Qualified driver who is licensed to drive a motor vehicle, is at least 21 years of age (25 years and older preferred), and has experience hauling a trailer and driving the vehicle being used. | |
| Hiking | x | x | x | x | x | x | *Not Required | Overnight hiking trips, backpacking, or backpacking training trips must be approved by council. | |
| Horseback Riding | * | x | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Riding instructors are adults (at least 18 years old) who have current certification from an accredited horsemanship instructor training organization, such as the Certified Horsemanship Association and American Association for Horsemanship Safety, or documented proof of a minimum of three years’ experience successfully instructing in a general horseback riding program. *Daisies are only allowed on pony rides and hand-led horseback walks. |
| Ice Skating and Roller Skating | x | x | x | x | x | x | *Not Required | Not required for indoor/ink skating. Required for outdoor skating. | |
| Indoor Skydiving | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Instructor holds instructional flight certification from the International Bodyflight Association or has council approved equivalent certification or documented experience and skill in teaching and/or supervising indoor skydiving. | ||
| Indoor Trampoline | * | x | x | x | x | x | Required | *Daisies under the age of six may not participate. | |
| Aquatic Bounces and Slides | x | x | x | x | x | Required | |||
| Aquatic Climbing Walls | x | x | x | x | Required | Aquatic climbing walls are not permitted for Daisies and Brownies. Juniors and above may take part in aquatic climbing wall activities when they are strong swimmers and can swim in water deeper than five feet. | |||
| Bounce Houses | * | x | x | x | x | x | Required | *Daisies can only take part in bounce houses that are specific for their age, height, and weight. | |
| Log Rolling | x | x | x | x | x | Required | |||
| Bubble Soccer | x | x | x | x | Required | ||||
| Land Sports See Miscellaneous Activities Safety Activity Checkpoints | x | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required | Ensure adults are well versed in rules and aware of safety concerns for the designated sport. | |
| Laser Tag See Miscellaneous Activities Safety Activity Checkpoints | x | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required | Verify vendor is licensed and insured. | |
| Offshore Water/Large Passenger Vessels | x | x | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Large water vessels such as ferries, cruise ships, and whale-watching boats must be licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard. |
| Orienteering | x | x | x | x | Not Required | Orienteering is not recommended for Daisies and Brownies, except when 1:1 with an adult, but they may be ready to learn pre-orienteering activities such as map-reading, navigation, and map drawing. | |||
| Outdoor Cooking | x | x | x | x | x | x | Not Reuqired | Ensure that at least one adult has completed Cook Out training. | |
| Canoeing | * | x | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Follow the Master Paddling Chart for instructor/expert certification by water type. At least one adult instructor or guide is currently certified by the American Canoe Association, or other sponsoring organization approved by council. *Not recommended for Daisies except with an experienced adult in each canoe on flat water. |
| Corcl Boats | x | x | x | x | x | Required | Follow the Master Paddling Chart for certification by water type. | ||
| Kayaking | * | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Follow the Master Paddling Chart for certification by water type. *Flat water only for Brownies. | |
| Packrafting | x | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Follow the Master Paddling Chart for instruction certification by water type. | |
| Row Boating | * | x | x | x | x | x | Required | Follow the Master Paddling Chart for instruction certification by water type. *Daisies may use basic row boats only if they have an adult in the boat with them. | |
| Stand-Up Paddleboarding | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Follow the Master Paddling Chart for instructor/expert certification by water type. | ||
| Whitewater Rafting | * | * | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Follow the Master Paddling Chart for instructor/expert certification by water type, and for program grade levels permitted to raft in various conditions. | |
| Parades and Other Large Group Gatherings | x | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required | ||
| Pocket Knife and Jackknife Safety | * | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required | See Pocket Knife and Jackknife Safety Activity Checkpoints for all instructor requirements and grade-level recommendations. *Daisies can learn pocket knife and jackknife safety with cardboard or wood examples. | |
| Rocketry/Model Rocketry | x | x | x | x | Required | Daisies and Brownies are not ready to participate in model rocketry as defined in this activity. Daisies and Brownies can participate in simple science experiments like air-powered drinking straw rockets, balloon rockets, stomp rockets, or water-powered bicycle pump rockets. Daisies and Brownies may observe model rocket launches at a safe distance. | |||
| Sailing | * | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Adult or sailing instructor is certified as a sailing instructor or sailing counselor by U.S. Sailing, completes Girl Scouts small craft safety training, or possesses equivalent certification or documented experience according to council guidelines. The instructor-to-girl ratio is one-to-four. *Thoroughly verify Brownie maturity level for sailing. | |
| Scuba Diving | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Scuba diving teacher holds instruction certification from Scuba Schools International (SSI), Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), or the YMCA. The instructor-to-girl- ratio is one-to-four. | |||
| Segway See Miscellaneous Activities Safety Activity Checkpoints | x | x | Required | Vendor must be licensed and insured. Segway is only permitted when used in a pedestrian environment, not on public roads. | |||||
| Skateboarding See Miscellaneous Activities Safety Activity Checkpoints | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required | Skate parks are for experienced skaters. Beginners should not be in skate parks. | ||
| Sledding, Tobogganing, and Snow Tubing | x | x | x | x | x | x | *Not Required | Any trip that involves overnight travel must be approved by council. Girl Scout members must go feet-first and helmets are strongly recommended. Girl Scout members are not permitted to be towed behind any vehicle, including snowmobiles. No sledding near trees, buildings, or roadways. | |
| Snorkeling | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Snorkeling instructor holds instructional certification from Scuba Schools International (SSI) or the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) or has equivalent certification. If the instructor is not also a certified lifeguard, you will need a lifeguard present. Lifeguards need current American Red Cross Lifeguarding plus Waterfront Module, or YMCA Waterfront Lifeguarding certification or equivalent experience. One lifeguard is needed for every 25 swimmers. | ||
| Snowshoeing | x | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required | Instruction is given by an adult with experience teaching and/or supervising snowshoeing or has documented experience. | |
| Spelunking/Caving | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Instruction is given by an adult with experience teaching and/or spelunking or has documented experience. | ||
| STEM, Arts, Crafts See Miscellaneous Activities Safety Activity Checkpoints | x | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required | ||
| Surfing | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Instructors should hold a certification from the National Surf Schools and Instructors Association, the International Surfing Association, or similar certification. Notify lifeguards and point out location or other surfers. Ocean lifeguard certifications, according to local and state norms and standards, are required. The instructor-to-girl ratio is one-to-four. Surfers must demonstrate appropriate swim skill level. | ||
| Swimming | x | x | x | x | x | x | Required | Follow the lifeguard certification requirements and ratios lifted in Swimming Safety Activity Checkpoints | |
| 3-D Archery | x | x | x | Yes | Required | One adult is certified by the National Field Archery Association, USA Archery, or Easton Foundation. In addition, one adult to every ten Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors is required. | |||
| Air/BB Guns | x | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | One adult is a certified National Rifle Association range safety officer or USA Shooting Sports instructor. In addition, one adult to every five Brownies, and one adult to every ten Juniors, Brownies, Seniors, and Ambassadors is required. | |
| Archery | x | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | One adult is certified by the National Field Archery Association, USA Archery, or Easton Foundation. In addition, one adult to every five Brownies and one adult to every ten Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors is required. | |
| Ax/Hatchet Throwing | x | x | x | Yes | Required | One adult instructor trained in ax/hatchet form and technique, safety, range rules, and emergency procedures. In addition, one adult to every two Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors is required. | |||
| Knife Throwing | x | x | x | Yes | Required | One adult instructor trained in knife throwing form and technique, safety, range rules, and emergency procedures. In addition, one adult to every two Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors is required. | |||
| Muzzle Loading | * | x | x | Yes | Required | *Must be 12 years or older to participate. One adult is a certified National Rifle Association range safety officer or USA Shooting Sports instructor. In addition, one adult to every two Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors is required. | |||
| Pistol | * | x | Yes | Required | *Must be 14 years or older to participate. One adult is a certified National Rifle Association range safety officer or USA Shooting Sports Instructor. In addition, one adult to every four Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors is required. | ||||
| Rifle | * | x | x | Yes | Required | *Must be 12 years or older to participate. One adult is a certified National Rifle Association range safety officer or USA Shooting Sports Instructor. In addition, one adult to every eight Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors is required. | |||
| Shotgun–Trap/Skeet Shooting | * | x | x | Yes | Required | *Must be 12 years or older to participate. One adult is a certified National Rifle Association range safety officer or USA Shooting Sports Instructor. In addition, one adult to every eight Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors is required. | |||
| Slingshot | x | x | x | x | x | x | Required | One adult instructor trained in slingshot form and technique, safety, range rules, and emergency procedures. In addition, one adult to every five Daisies and Brownies and one adult to every ten Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors is required. | |
| Target Paintball | x | x | x | x | x | Required | One adult is trained in paintball safety, range rules, and emergency procedures. In addition, one adult to every give Brownies and one adult to every ten Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors is required. | ||
| Tools–Hand and Power | x | x | x | x | x | x | Not Required | See the Tools–Hand and Power Safety Activity Checkpoints for grade level permission and progression. Certain power tools are not permitted for all grade levels. Adults must be present to meet the adult-to-youth ratios listed in Introduction: Standard Safety Guidelines. | |
| Travel/Trips | x | x | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | See Travel/Trip Safety Activity Checkpoints for grade-level trip and travel length recommendations. |
| Tubing | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | One adult must complete Girl Scouts small craft safety training or equivalent, and have experience teaching and supervising tubing activities. If tubing behind a motorboat, make sure the driver is an adult and has a valid license to operate the motorboat. Girl Scout members are not permitted to be towed by jet skis or waver runners. Follow the lifeguard certification requirements and ratios listed in Swimming Safety Activity Checkpoints. | ||
| Waterskiing and Wakeboarding | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | Ensure the adult or instructor is certified by USA Water Ski or possesses equivalent certification or documented experience according to council guidelines. Confirm the boat driver is an adult, has an appropriate license, and is skilled in operating the watercraft. Follow the lifeguard certification requirements and ratios listed in Swimming Safety Activity Checkpoints. | ||
| Windsurfing | x | x | x | x | Yes | Required | In addition to a lifeguard, at least one adult present should have Girl Scouts small craft safety training or equivalent. |
Last updated on February 19, 2026