Introduction to Safety Activity Checkpoints
When preparing for any activity with girls, always begin with the Safety Activity Checkpoints written specifically for that particular activity. This introduction provides an overview of the format of each set of checkpoints. Note: In addition to reading these checkpoints yourself, you can also e-mail or print them for co-volunteers, parents/guardians, and girls.
Know where to do the activity. Quick list of the most common places girls carry out the activity
Include girls with disabilities. Tips and special Web sites for information on including girls with disabilities
Gear
Basic Gear includes clothing and equipment girls are likely to already have in their possession.
Specialized Gear includes clothing and equipment girls may need to purchase, rent, or borrow.
Prepare for the Activity
These checkpoints discuss steps to take in advance of the activity. Not every category is listed here, and not every activity includes these categories.
o Communicate with council and parents. Tips for following council guidelines and keeping parents informed
o Ensure prerequisites. Ranges from an ability to swim to knowledge of primitive camping
o Arrange for transportation and adult supervision. Recommended adult-to-girl ratios for this activity
o Verify instructor knowledge and experience. Ensuring the volunteers or on-site instructors possess the proper skill set, knowledge, experience, and/or training/certification
o Select a safe site. A game plan for ensuring the safest experience possible
o Compile key contacts. Information on itineraries, phone trees, and other contact information
o Respect the environment. Tips for ensuring environmental responsibility
o Prepare for emergencies. First-aider requirements and other emergency precautions
On the Day of the Activity
These checkpoints include important final reminders on the day of the activity. Not every category is listed here, and not every activity includes these categories.
o Get a weather report. Ways to monitor the weather for any outdoor activity and/or activity requiring transportation
o Review rescue tips. Activity-specific rescue tips
o Use the buddy system. The best way to ensure no one is separated from the group or unable to get help
o Be prepared in the event of a storm with lightning. Special details for outdoor warm-weather activities
Links guide you to the best-known and best-respected Web sites.
Know-How for Girls offers games, mini-lessons, and other fun ways to expand girls’ knowledge.
Jargon helps you and the girls master activity-specific terminology.
If Safety Activity Checkpoints do not exist for an activity you and the girls are interested in, be sure to check with the council before making any definite plans with the girls in your group. A few activities are allowed only with written council pre-approval and only for girls ages 12 and over, while some are off-limits completely:
- Caution: You must get written pre-approval from your council for girls ages 12 and older who
- will operate motorized vehicles, such as go-carts and personal watercraft (driving or riding all-terrain vehicles and motor bikes is never allowed);
- use firearms (hunting is never allowed),
- take trips on waterways that are highly changeable or uncontrollable (Class V and higher watercraft trips are never allowed), or
- fly in noncommercial aircraft, such as small private planes, helicopters, sailplanes, untethered hot-air balloons, and blimps (hang gliding, parachuting, and parasailing are never allowed).
- Warning: The following activities are never allowed for any girl:
- shooting a projectile at another person (such as paintball),
- potentially uncontrolled free-falling (bungee jumping, hang gliding, parachuting, parasailing, and trampolining),
- creating extreme variations of approved activities (such as high-altitude climbing and aerial tricks on bicycles, skis, snowboards, skateboards, water-skis, and wakeboards),
- hunting,
- riding all-terrain vehicles and motor bikes, and
- taking watercraft trips in Class V or higher whitewater.