Mall Lock-In | Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland

Where History Comes to Life: Night at the Museum!

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 14.

Date: April 17-18, 2027

Time: 9:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Location: Polaris Fashion Mall

What to Wear toggle arrow

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 toggle arrow

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 toggle arrow

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 2027 toggle arrow

Coming soon!

Confirmation Email Details toggle arrow

Coming soon!

Spending

Tips for First-Time Mall Lock-In Attendees toggle arrow

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

Refer to your confirmation email for where to park.
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.