GSEM Volunteer Essentials

Troop Camping. If the trip is more than 100 miles beyond Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri boundaries, use the Troop Trip Application process. Troops must obtain permission from the Camping Services department before camping on non-council owned sites, except for overnight backyard camping. Backyard camping does not require a Troop Camp certification.

Application process for Troop Camping on non-Council owned sites:

• Complete the Application for Camping on Non-Council owned sites and submit to the Senior Manager, Risk Management at council at least one month prior to the date of departure. This form is located on the council website • Troops camping on non-council-owned property must have at least one registered, background checked and approved adult volunteer who is a licensed Troop Camper • A certified First Aider (a registered, approved adult volunteer certified in Adult and Pediatric First Aid, CPR/AED must accompany the troop when the destination is less than 30 minutes away from EMS • For destinations where access to EMS is 30 minutes or more, an individual certified in Wilderness First Aid is required • Unless the troop is camping at a Missouri State Park, Girl Scouts must have a Certificate of Insurance (COI) on file for the property used for the activity. If the property used does not currently have a COI on file, please submit a copy when submitting the application for camping • Applications submitted to council must be signed by the District or Neighborhood Manager • After the Senior Manager, Risk Management has received your application, you will receive a Non-Council Owned Camp Approval Response indicating the status of the trip approval To reserve a unit at one of Eastern Missouri’s camps, use the council website and select the Camp tab from the homepage, then search under Troop Camp. You can search unit availability by the unit type or by the date you want to take your Troop Camping. For overnight camping on council-owned property, at least one registered, background checked and approved adult volunteer per unit must be a licensed Troop Camper. Another adult volunteer must be certified in Adult and Pediatric First Aid, CPR/AED when a camp supervisor is not on duty. A Troop Camp license may be obtained by any registered, background checked and approved adult member of Girl Scouts who is 18 years or older and who successfully completes a Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri Troop Camp certification course. Troops/groups using pressurized fuel for cooking must be accompanied by a First Aider. Pressurized heating stoves, grooming or other equipment may not be used. All Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri camp properties are closed during Modern Firearms Deer Hunting Season and special managed hunts sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation.