Volunteer Training
We are committed to helping you be a success in your volunteer position. We have designed our training to be convenient, fun and loaded with information that will help you make the most out of your time with the girls. Staff and volunteer trainers are here to help you.
Importance of Training
Progression is the key to the way Girl Scouts learn about the world around them. In practice, progression means using common sense in preparing for experience - one step at a time. A number of safeguards are built into the Girl Scout program to ensure progression and girl readiness Progression is also important for adults. Whether an adult is learning to take a group on a hike, stay overnight in a program center or prepare a meal over an outdoor stove, some basic safety considerations require that she/he be trained to take part in the planning and implementation of the adventure. In turn, adults then teach girls the necessary steps of successful planning.
Finding the training for you!
Find the appropriate series for you based on your volunteer position and then pick how you want to take it. Most courses are offered in a variety of formats to accommodate busy lives and different learning styles.
Troop Leadership Series
| If You: | You Need: | Course Description: | Training Options: |
| Are a new volunteer | Online Volunteer Orientation | This course is recommended before starting a volunteer position and hashas been designed to convey the vision, values and goals of Girl Scouts. | Online
Password: discover |
| Meet or work with girls on a regular basis | Troop Leadership | This course is required before working with girls. It should be taken for the applicable grade level - Daisy, Brownie, Junior & Older Girl. It teaches adults about the Girl Scout program and topics include girl/adult partnership and planning, troop logistics & recognitions.
| Group Setting Online Home-study |
| Meet or work with girls on a regular basis | Leadership Essentials | This course is recommended and provides information on the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, program resources and the outcomes/goals of the Girl Scout program. | Group Setting Online
Password: discover |
| Want to leave the meeting space and/or stay overnight in a closed structure with running water, heat, toilets, lights, kitchen facilities and phone/cell coverage | Girls on the Move | This course is required and is teaches adults to lead girls on new adventures. Go step-by-step through the thinking and planning involved in short field trips, daytime outdoor activities and indoor overnights. | Group Setting Online Home-study |
| Want to take girls camping at an established site that is missing one or more of the above amenities | Girl Scout Camping Basics | This course is required and gives adults the skills to prepare their girls for outdoor cooking and management of a campsite. Prerequisite: Girls on the Move | Group Setting |
| Want to take girls on a trip of three (3) nights or more | Extended Trip | This course is required and helps adults get the girls involved in planning that big trip. Topics include safety, deciding destinations, transportation, budgeting and fundraising. Prerequisite: Girls on the Move | Home-study |
Travel Leadership Series
| If You: | You Need: | Course Description: | Training Options: |
| Are a new volunteer | Online Volunteer Orientation | This course is recommended before starting a volunteer position and has has been designed to convey the vision, values and goals of Girl Scouts. | Online
Password: discover |
| Want to leave the meeting space and/or stay overnight in a closed structure with running water, heat, toilets, lights, kitchen facilities and phone/cell coverage | Girls on the Move | This course is required and is teaches adults to lead girls on new adventures. Go step-by-step through the thinking and planning involved in short field trips, daytime outdoor activities and indoor overnights. | Group Setting Online Home-study |
| Want to take girls on a trip of three (3) nights or more | Extended Trip | This course is required and helps adults get the girls involved in planning that big trip. Topics include safety, deciding destinations, transportation, budgeting and fundraising. Prerequisite: Girls on the Move | Home-study |
Event Leadership Series
| If You: | You Need: | Course Description: | Training Options: |
| Are a new volunteer | Online Volunteer Orientation | This course is recommended before starting a volunteer position and has has been designed to convey the vision, values and goals of Girl Scouts. | Online
Password: discover |
| Want to host a service unit/council event | Event Planning Workshop | This course will teach you how to plan, budget and organize/structure an event. | Group Setting Home-study |
Camp Leadership Series
| If You: | You Need: | Course Description: | Training Options: |
| Are a new volunteer | Online Volunteer Orientation | This course is recommended before starting a volunteer position and has has been designed to convey the vision, values and goals of Girl Scouts. | Online
Password: discover |
Service Team Leadership Series
| If You: | You Need: | Course Description: | Training Options: |
| Are a new volunteer | Online Volunteer Orientation | This course is recommended before starting a volunteer position and has has been designed to convey the vision, values and goals of Girl Scouts. | Online
Password: discover |
| Will be holding a position on a service team | Service Team Training | This course is required for the specific position you will be holding. | Group Setting |
| Need to understand the new volunteer application process | VAP Webinar | This webinar recording will help you understand the new process that adults complete to become volunteers for Girl Scouts OSW. | Online
(Course may take a moment to load) |
CPR & First Aid
A first aider is an adult volunteer who has taken Girl Scout–approved first aid and CPR training that includes specific instructions for child CPR. The Safety Activity Checkpoints specify when a first aider needs to be present. Training in first aid and CPR is available from the American Red Cross, National Safety Council, EMP America or American Heart Association. There are two categories of first-aiders:
- First-aider (level 1): The presence of a first-aider (level 1) is required at many group activities including trips lasting more than four hours (including travel time). The course required to be a first-aider (level 1) is one that offers standard first-aid and CPR, preferably with a focus on children.
- First-aider (level 2): The presence of a first-aider (level 2) is required at resident camp, and at any camp activity with more than 200 participants. In addition, some activities require a first-aider (level 2); the Safety Activity Checkpoints state clearly whether a first-aider (level 2) is needed. First-aiders (level 2) pass the same course as first-aiders (level 1), and also have emergency response/first response, sports safety, wilderness first-aid, and/or advanced first-aid and CPR training. Each organization has a different name for its training, so be sure to ask whether a training course fulfills the level-2 requirements.
For additional help understanding certifications mentioned in Safety Activity Checkpoints and where to obtain them, please contact Jennifer at (800) 875-2451 ext. 14.