Required Training

If you have already started your training progression with courses from a legacy council, please click here for a chart of training equivalents. Courses taken in legacy councils do count toward their new equivalent in Girl Scouts OSW.

Sorting Out What Training You Need to Take

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 integral to 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 or 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.

If You:	You Need:	Course Description:	Training Options:
Are a new volunteer to Girl Scouts OSW	Council 101 before starting a volunteer position	This course has been designed to convey the vision, values and goals of Girl Scouts. It covers council structure and support; volunteering and safety; and leading/organizing girls.	Online Home-study
Meet or work with girls on a regular basis	Program Level within the first six months of working with the girls	This course helps adults who work directly with girls to understand the Girl Scout program for the applicable grade level (Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Older Girl). Topics include girl/adult partnership and planning, troop logistics & recognitions. Pre-requisite: Council 101 & Pre-Coursework Assignment (available in home-study)	Group Setting Online Home-study
Want to leave the meeting space and/or for overnights in a closed structure with running water, heat, toilets, lights, kitchen facilities and phone/cell coverage	Girls on the Move	This course is designed to help adults lead girls into new adventures. Go step-by-step through the thinking and planning involved in short field trips, daytime outdoor activities and indoor overnights. Pre-requisites: Council 101	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	See the Training Calendar for course offerings. Pre-requisites: Council 101, Girls on the Move	Group Setting
Want to take girls on a trip of three (3) nights or more	Extended Trip	Contact the program department for information. Pre-requisites: Council 101, Girls on the Move	Home Study

CPR & First Aid

A Girl Scout first-aider is an adult who has taken Girl Scout council-approved First Aid and CPR training. First-aiders need to be present on trips lasting more than four hours, including travel time. Always check in Safety-Wise for activity checkpoints and guidelines on when first-aiders are required.

To be a Level 1 first-aider, you need to be certified for the age group you are working with in both First Aid and CPR. Level 2 First Aid is required of the adult acting as the first-aider at a resident camp; in core staff and family camping; at day events, overnights, and camping events with more than 200 participants; and when activity checkpoints indicate that Level 2 First Aid is needed (pg. 36, Safety-Wise).

Volunteers can receive training from any of the GSUSA approved organizations. The organization you take training from will determine which course(s) are necessary to become Level 1 & Level 2 certified. For more information, see the Safety-Wise update listed on the Forms & Publications page.

Each approved organization follows different certification renewal guidelines that need to be followed. If taken from our Council, we are an authorized provider of American Red Cross. American Red Cross CPR certification needs to be updated every year and First Aid certification needs to be updated every 3 years. If you have a current CPR card, you can take the CPR re-certification course, but it must be taken before your card expires. American Red Cross gives us a 30-day leeway period. To take the American Red Cross Level 2 course, "When Help is Delayed", you must show that you are currently certified by American Red Cross in First Aid; this certification lasts 3 years.

When attending the training, wear comfortable clothing suitable for completing activities on the floor.

CEUs are offered as an add-on to training courses completed through the American Red Cross. Visit http://www.iacet.org/ to review a list of companies, regulatory boards and organizations that have reported to accept the IACET CEU. Individuals are strongly encouraged to check with their specific regulatory boards, employers or other agencies to confirm that courses taken from IACET Authorized Providers and courses taken for IACET CEUs will be accepted by that entity. To obtain CEUs after Successful Completion of a Red Cross Course:
1. Visit www.RedCrossStore.org
2. Provide course name; course date(s); location of course including address, city and zip code; list the American
     Red Cross Chapter; and the instructor name
3. Select the CEU for the course and pay the fee
4. Upon verification of course completion, the CEU certificate will be e-mailed to you within four weeks; hard copy on
     request

To schedule training, go to the Training Calendar.