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Welcome to the Carnival!
The DJ will keep Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors dancing while they roam the festival halls of the mall after-hours! Have a blast and practice financial literacy skills to earn prize tickets. Shop at your favorite stores and keep the party going all night long. Custom fun patch, lanyard and shopping bag included! Mall Lock In T-Shirts are available for purchase at registration through March 15.
Date: April 18-19, 2026
Time: 9:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
Location: Polaris Fashion Mall
What to Wear 
Girl Scouts, Adults and Volunteers are encouraged to dress up for this event! Please review the guidelines below before you pick your clothing:
- Dress in comfortable clothing.
- Shoes are required and must stay on for the duration of the program.
- Leave pretend or prop weapons at home including guns, knives, or swords.
- Clothing should not promote the use of drugs, alcohol, or illegal substances.
Code of Conduct
- Shoes are required.
- Please walk.
- Handstands and backflips are prohibited.
- Do not tape anything to the wall.
- Use the Buddy System: Be sure your group is staying together during the event. Adults are responsible for their groups.
- Be a sister to every Girl Scout: Have patience and kindness when working with other groups and our volunteers.
- Share Resources: Be aware of how long your group has been at an activity. Consider giving other groups a turn.
- Leave It Better Than You Found It: Clean up after your group at your camp site, in the bathrooms, and at activity stations. Be sure to respect the stores who have stayed open for our event.
Safety
Adult Supervision
Adults are required for this program. Adults must be registered members with a background check to attend. Groups are required to be in ratio as outlined in the safety activities checkpoints. Adults supervise their own Girl Scouts during the event.
Arriving Late/Leaving Early
It’s crucial that all participants stay in the mall for the duration of the event. If a participant may be arriving late, they need to arrive before 10:15 p.m. A troop leader needs to meet the participant at the door to sign them in. Notify program@gsoh.org if you know a participant who is arriving late. In case of illness or emergency, participants can leave with the help of mall security after they have signed out.
Exiting the Mall
Polaris Fashion Place conducts a sweep of the mall after it closes to be sure only registered participants are in the mall. Volunteers are posted at each entrance to the mall for the duration of the event. This ensures groups stay together and that no one enters the mall who is not permitted to be there. If you need to leave the mall, please talk to the staff member who is at the main entrance.
Mall Staff
Mall staff are working during the event including store employees and security. Note that they have are not background checked by Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland.
First Aid
A first aid certified adult is available at the first aid table. Locate the first aid table at the start of the event and visit it when needed.
What To Bring
NOTE: Only bring items that you can carry in one trip. Trips to vehicles will be limited.
- Health History Forms for your group. You will keep the forms with you during the event.
- Photo Release Form
- Portable charger. Public outlets unavailable.
- Items you might need during the night (medications, etc.).
- Money to spend at participating stores.
- Optional Items:
- Portable Chairs.
- Blankets, sleeping bags, pillows.
- Games.
Please leave the following items at home:
- Tents or other structures.
- Electronic devices (laptops, tablets, etc.).
- Valuable, non-replaceable items (jewelry, etc.).
- Items that are banned on all Girl Scout properties including weapons, drugs, and alcohol.
Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland and Polaris Shopping Place are not responsible for any lost or damaged items.
Participating Stores 2026
- Macaron Bar
- I Scream Gelato
- Auntie Anne's
- Bath and Body Works
- Hot Topic
- Pure Imagination Chocolatier
- Kako Claw
- Claire's
- Elena2You
- Bubbles Tea & Juice Co.
- Girl Scout Shop
- Jamba Juice
- Yankee Candle
- Dos Hermanos
- Mariona & Co.
- Sotavent
- American Eagle Outfitters
- Hippers
- Miniso
- Bettlebug Art Collective
Confirmation Email Details
When: Saturday, April 18th – April
19th, 2026
Where: Polaris Fashion Place, 1500 Polaris Parkway, Columbus, OH 43240
Time: Check-in: 9:30 pm
Check-out: 5:00 a.m.
Check In:
- Check in for Door 1: Orange, Blue, and Yellow is at the entrance between Von Maur and Elarose Sweet Weddings.
- Check In for Door 2: Purple, Red, and Green is at the entrance between Elarose and the Buckeye Corner.
- Doors open at 9:30 pm.
- Important: Wait outside of the mall before 9:30 pm.
- Send one registered adult representative for your group to check in. They will pick up materials for your group.
- The rest of your group will wait in the holding area.
Check Out:
- Check out is at the same location as Check In.
- Check out will open at 5 am.
- Please clean your area before checking out.
What to Bring with You:
Only bring items that you can carry in one trip. Trips to vehicles will be limited.
- Health History Forms for your group. You will keep the forms with you during the event.
- Portable charger. Public outlets unavailable.
- Items you might need during the night (medications, etc.).
- Money to spend at participating stores.
- Optional Items:
- Portable Chairs.
- Blankets, sleeping bags, pillows.
- Games.
What to Leave at Home:
- Tents or other structures.
- Electronic devices (laptops, tablets, etc.).
- Valuable, non-replaceable items (jewelry, etc.).
- Items that are banned on all Girl Scout properties including weapons, drugs, and alcohol.
Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland and the Polaris Fashion Place are not responsible for any lost or damaged items.
What to Wear:
Girl Scouts, Adults and Volunteers are encouraged to
dress up for this event! This year’s theme is Carnival. Please review
the guidelines below before you pick your clothing:
- Dress in comfortable clothing.
- Shoes are required. Sandals and crocs are fine.
- Leave pretend or prop weapons at home including guns, knives, or swords.
- Clothing should not promote the use of drugs, alcohol, or illegal substances.
Campsites:
Each troop/group will have an assigned “campsite.” These are spots inside the mall where your troop can set up as a home-base and leave items as you choose. Do not leave any valuable items unattended. When you receive your group’s envelope at check-in, your campsite will be marked on the front. This site is reserved for your troop and is approved by the Polaris Fashion Place- please do not move to a different spot, as some of the stores have sensitive alarms!
Sleeping:
Most people will not sleep at the Mall Lock In. There are activities going on from 9:30 pm- 5 am. You may try to sleep at your campsite, just note that it will be noisy, and it is a tile floor. Consider bringing a sleeping bag and headphones if you plan on getting some rest.
Code of Conduct
- Shoes are required.
- Please walk.
- Handstands and backflips are prohibited.
- Do not tape anything to the walls.
- Use the Buddy System: Be sure your group is staying together during the event. Adults are responsible for their groups.
- Be a sister to Every Girl Scout: Have patience and kindness when working with other groups and our volunteers.
- Share Resources be aware of how long your group has been at an activity. Consider giving other groups a turn.
- Leave it Better Than You Found It: Clean up after your group at your camp site, in the bathrooms, and at activity stations. Be sure to respect the stores and who have stayed open for our event.
- Troop money is not permitted to be spent on individual girls, so do not give cash or gift cards of troop money to girls. Troop funds may be spent on things for the entire group, such as food or group experiences like escape rooms.
Safety:
- Adult Supervision: Adults are required for this program. Adults must be registered members with a background check to attend. Please be sure to have your group in ratio as outlined in the safety activities checkpoints. Be prepared to supervise your Girl Scouts during the event. If your group does not have an adult registered, please email Customer Care to register. customercare@gsoh.org
- Arriving Late/Leaving Early: Notify program@gsoh.org if you know of a participant who will be arriving late or leaving early. In case of illness or emergency, participants will be able to leave with the help of mall security after they have signed out.
- Exiting the Mall: Volunteers will be posted at each entrance to the mall for the duration of the event. This ensures groups stay together and that no one enters the mall who is not permitted to be there. If you need to leave the mall, please talk to one of the volunteers posted at an exit and they will be happy to help you. You can only leave through the check out door by Von Maur.
- Mall Staff: There will be mall staff working during the event including store employees and security. Note that they have not been background checked by Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland. You should always be aware of yourself and your group during the event.
- First Aid: A first aid certified adult will be available at the first aid table. Be sure to locate the first aid table at the start of the event and visit when needed.
Snacks:
An all-night snack table will be available shortly after check in. Snacks will include chips and granola bars and more! Please email Ren Ramsey at rramsey@gsoh.org if you have an allergy or dietary restriction that you would like us to accommodate.
Incentives:
You will receive a fun patch, shopping bag and lanyard with your ticket price.
T-Shirts were available for purchase at registration. If you ordered a T-shirt, it will be available at the Girl Scout Shop.
Tagalongs/Add-Ons/Switches:
This program CAN NOT accommodate tagalongs and add-ons. All participants must be registered and paid before the program date. All adults must be registered members who have passed a background check.
Add Ons:
The Girl Scout Shop is traveling to Mall Lock-in and bringing our very own Build-A-Bear Workshop. We will also have other merchandise, including Girl Scout branded items.
The Girl Scout Shop will be open 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. Troops or individual girls can use the attached Sign-up Genius to reserve a time slot to make their own bear and purchase a Girl Scout vest, clothes and accessories for it. Stuffed friends are priced $16-$32 each. Accessories and clothes are $4-$13.50 each.
Sign up for Build A Bear slots here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A4EADAE2CA6FB6-63026501-2026#/
Time slots may be available at the mall lock-in. They will be filled on a first come first served basis.
Event Staff:
This program will be led by Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland staff and volunteers. They will be marked with volunteer badges. We are grateful for all the volunteers and staff members who made the event possible. Please follow the direction of the volunteers and staff and let them know how much you appreciate them!
Cancellations:
In the event of extreme weather, an email will go out 2 hours prior to the start of the program. We will also call or text you if you have opted into texting.
Refund Policy:
For programs that have a registration fee greater than $5, an 80% refund may be requested up to 2 weeks prior to the start of the program by emailing customercare@gsoh.org . Late refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Registration fees of $5 or less are non-refundable.
In the case of a last-minute emergency:
- Such as family or medical emergency, death in the family or other unique circumstances, late refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Documentation is required for all last-minute refunds to be considered.
Questions?
Please call Customer Care at 614-487-8101 and reference the name of this event. Email questions can be sent to customercare@gsoh.org.
We look forward to seeing you!
Spending
Tips for First-Time Mall Lock-In Attendees
These suggestions are designed to help you and your girls have an amazing first Mall Lock-In experience fun, safe, and stress-free!
Arrival & Check-In
- Park between Von Maur and Barnes & Noble so your troop starts the night together. Your confirmation email will tell you exactly which entrance to use based on your troop number. This helps us keep check-in organized and efficient.
- Follow the signs to Check-in. The line may look long, but it moves quickly. Keeping your troop together during Check-in ensures a smooth start for everyone.
Snacks & Comfort
- Feel free to bring your own snacks and water. It keeps you hydrated and energized for quick pick-me-ups.
- Each troop will be assigned a “campsite” at Check-in, but sleep is unlikely. Feel free to bring blankets, pillows, camp chairs, and small quiet activities (cards, friendship bracelets, etc.) to do while relaxing. Keep to your allotted space and ensure everyone’s belongings are clear of the aisles to help everyone move safely.
- No air mattresses or tents, please. They take up too much space and make it harder for everyone to navigate.
- Change for 2026: In the past, we have offered a small breakfast during check-out. For the past two years, more than half of the troops chose not to take the breakfast, leaving us with many leftovers. To eliminate food waste, we have decided to swap the continental breakfast for a late-night snack table. These snacks are included in the price of admission for girls and adults. This table will be near where you checked in.
- Looking for a snack for the drive home? Here are some locations near the mall that might be good for grab and go breakfast on the way home:
- McDonalds, 1074 Gemini Place, opens at 5 a.m.
- Starbucks, 1187 Polaris Parkway, opens at 5 a.m.
- Sheetz, 1555 Polaris Parkway, open 24 hours
- Krispy Kreme, 1021 Polaris Parkway, opens at 6 a.m.
- Waffle House, 1183 Polaris Pkwy, open 24 hours
Phones & Charging
- Outlets in the mall are very limited! Bring a portable charger to help you/your girl stay connected without needing to hunt for a plug.
Money & Shopping
- Troop money is not permitted to be spent on individual girls, so do not give cash or gift cards of troop money to girls. Troop funds may be spent on things for the entire group, such as food or group experiences like escape rooms.
- Set a spending plan together. With so many exciting stores, it’s easy for girls to lose track.
- Consider purchasing store gift cards in advance to help your girl stay within her personal spending budget.
- Talk with your girls ahead of the event about where to keep their money safe. Fanny packs and cross body bags are great for this! Remind them to check for all of their belongings, including their wallets, before leaving each store or activity.
- Discuss cash etiquette, including how to ask a store for change or when to buy a cheaper item to break a large bill.
- Set rules within your group about girls borrowing money from each other or combining assets to buy an item. Use your own discretion on whether this might cause drama!
- Remind girls about sales tax, so they are aware that they need some buffer room in their budget when selecting items in the store. The sales tax rate is 8% in Columbus, Ohio.
Clothing & Personal Items
- Label everything. Many girls bring similar items, and labeling helps prevent mix-ups. Leave valuables at home. Lost items are not the responsibility of event staff.
- Shoes must stay on all night. Wear comfy shoes, sandals and Crocs are fine.
- Dress comfortably and in layers. The mall warms up as the night goes on. Comfy pajamas and sweats are fine, and feel free to dress in Carnival-themed attire!
- Encourage your girl to wear a cross-body purse or fanny pack so she can keep her money and belongings with her at all times.
Activities & Friendship
- There’s more than shopping! GSOH hosts free crafts, games, dancing, and fun activities all night long—encourage your girl to try everything.
- The Escape Room and Build A Bear are paid experiences, if your troop has booked this in advance, please arrive on time for your reservation.
- Remind girls to include others and make new friends. This event is a highlight of the year because of the friendships and community they build together.
Kindness & Safety
- Show appreciation to Polaris Fashion Place and store employees. Their support makes this night possible. Being respectful, cleaning up after yourself, and staying on your best behavior helps keep this tradition going.
- Troop leaders and adult volunteers are responsible for supervising the girls they brought to ensure everyone stays safe and supported. Consider establishing set times/places for girls to check in with Troop leasers/adult volunteers throughout the night.
- Meet other Troop leaders and adult volunteers. Adults who have been to Mall Lock-In before have their own magical tips on how adults can stay awake and enjoy the experience too!
- If you need help, look for GSOH staff wearing green lanyards or volunteers wearing purple lanyards. They’re there to make your night great.
