Troop/Service Unit Camping at a Non-Council
Owned Site Procedure
1. Troops must complete the Trip & High-Risk Activity Application Form for all overnight stays at
non-GSWPA owned campsites, and return it to your assigned GSWPA staff for their approval.
Check the GSWPA’s Web site at gswpa.org for sites that have been pre-approved. Any sites not
listed require a Site Safety Checklist as well as a Site Visit Form and a Certificate of Insurance,
with the exception of the American Camp Association (ACA) accredited camp sites. All ACA
accredited camp sites are automatically approved for use.
2. Review Safety Activity Checkpoints– Camping and any activity-specific Safety Activity
Checkpoints before planning any camping involving girls.
3. Sites must be approved at least eight (8) weeks in advance.
4. It is your responsibility to make your own reservation after approval.
5. The site should be inspected by a GSWPA staff member or a first-hand report obtained in
advance to assess any hazards and the suitability of the site for troop camping.
Safety Procedures
Provide an approved and registered volunteer currently certified in First Aid. Your troop first
aider should also check and stock first aid supplies. Coordinate with the first aider to ensure
emergency transportation is available. Follow emergency transportation procedures as
outlined on in Volunteer Essentials.
Provide an adult(s) with the required outdoor training.
Purchase additional insurance if the event is more than two nights (more than three nights if
one of the three nights falls on a legal holiday) or if any non-members attend.
Review the destination camp’s safety rules with the group upon arrival.
All state and local regulations related to drinking water, sanitation and fire building should
be observed.