Girl Scouts, Hornets' Nest Council does not recommend meeting in private homes. Schools, churches, and community buildings are excellent locations for troop meetings. However, we understand that a private location or home could be your best option. This option may only be used if the requirements below are met, and if all troop parents are in agreement with the meeting location.
If your troop is planning to meet in a private residence, you must submit this application for approval. Applications will be processed within 14 business days. Final approval is contingent upon all persons 18 years old and older living in the home completing the required background check. Background check processing time may vary.
You will receive a confirmation once your request has been approved.
Meeting Place Requirements
- Like all Girl Scout activities, meetings at a private residence must follow the required Adult-to-Girl ratios. Any adult volunteer, including the homeowner, cannot be responsible for other young children while also counting toward the Adult-to-Girl ratio.
- Before meetings can begin in the home, all persons ages 18 and over living and/or present in the home must have a completed background check.
- Private residence meeting space must be safe, secure, clean, and smoke-free, with sanitary and accessible toilets. Items in the home that may be hazardous, including alcohol or firearms, should be locked up and/or completely inaccessible to girls. No one on the property should be consuming alcoholic beverages in the presence of girls and/or during any Girl Scout activity.
- Pets must be able to be kenneled/locked-up during the meeting. The applying volunteer must also ensure that pet dander and other common allergens won’t bother girls during meetings.
- The home must have a first-aid kit on hand.
- A private residence meeting space must be large enough accommodate the whole group and all planned activities, as well as able to accommodate troop members or parents with disabilities.