The Volunteer Basics information and training provides you with useful information regarding Girl Scouts including insight into our organization including our mission, girl program experiences and opportunities and what drives us to be the preeminent organization in girl leadership.
Our training utilizes a blended format online and in person, as well as local troop and community leaders to support you. We provide you with information and knowledge on age level development, safety, being in the outdoors, how to do and how to be a Girl Scout leader.
Being a Girl Scout volunteer is essential to the organization. Girl Scouts engages with kindergarteners through seniors in high school.
To support our volunteers, we have an extensive training system in place throughout your whole journey as a volunteer.
Training begins as a new Co-leader of a troop and each year after. Other trainings are provided to support a Co-leader or adult volunteer to understand and develop their responsibilities for Cookie or Fall product program, troop finance, age level progression, as well as building knowledge and skills for taking girls camping, and so much more.
Training begins, as a new Co-leader of a troop, through our gsLearn, on-demand training and is divided into three themes:
Through one of Council’s Volunteer Support Managers, a Co-leader will connect to their online training and in-person support.
The Foundation training program consists of:
Through one of Council’s Volunteer Support Managers, a Co-leader will connect to their online training and in-person support.
The Developing and Understanding training program consists of:
Through one of Council’s Volunteer Support Managers, a Co-leader will connect to their online training and in-person support.
The Broadening the Opportunities training program consists of:
Here are other Troop Role training opportunities:
This guide is designed to support busy, on-the-go troop volunteers.
Inside, you will find details and information to help you get started on your newest adventure—being an awesome leader for girls.
We recommend that you begin by reading each section below and come back throughout the year to find answers to your questions as they arise.
Ready to get started? Let’s go!
Click here to Access Volunteer Essentials.
Safety Activity Checkpoints (SAC) provides the standard safety guidelines for Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) and Girl Scouts of Citrus Council’s (GSC) approved activities.
In this guidebook, you will find information and details to consider and follow so activities are planned and carried out in a manner that considers the health, safety, age level and skill level progression and the general well-being of all participants, in accordance with these standard safety guidelines.
Safety Activity Checkpoints guidebook is your go to booklet for everything Girl Scouts.
Remember to check back every year, as it is updated annually.
Ready to get started? Let’s go!
Click here to Access Safety Activity Checkpoint
First Aider: A general first aider is an adult volunteer who has taken Girl Scout approved first aid and CPR training that includes specific instructions for adult and pediatric CPR, first aid, and AED as well as AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) training that minimally, includes face to face, hands-on skills check for:
CPR/First Aid Certification
This certification is required for the troop first aider role and is highly suggested for troop leader and troop helper roles. You will gain knowledge and skills for emergency life-saving techniques involving children and adults. The approved blended format is available to register on gsLearn.
Click here to access Adult CPR and First Aid criteria in the Safety Activity Checkpoint Very important!
Check out gsEvents for training dates.
Important Information - CPR/First aid Online Only Training:
First-aid/CPR training that is available entirely online does not satisfy Girl Scouts’ requirements. Such courses do not offer enough opportunities to practice and receive feedback on your technique. Girl Scouts of Citrus will not approve online-only training and cards.
We rely on CPR/First Aid Instructors to help our volunteers meet the Troop Leader requirements of an adult volunteer trained in CPR/First Aid for adults and pediatrics and AED. To become an approved instructor or vendor, please submit the Vendor Request Form below.
Click here to become an Approved CPR First Aid Instructor Partner/Vendor.
Wilderness First Aid Certification (Level 2 First Aid) is specific training to handle common injuries and illnesses when medical care is 30 minutes away or more. This two-day course is required for those who will travel with girls to remote locations, where medical care is 30 minutes or more away. Is not required for Troop Camper Level 1. May be required for Troop Camper Level 2 or Level 3 trips.
Check out gsEvents for training dates.
Fee Based training.
Two-year certification
Looking to take your Troop into the great outdoors? Camping is a long tradition in Girl Scouts and has multiple levels of progression and skills. So, if the girls want to cook, or have an overnight campout, or hike outdoors, one participating adult volunteer must complete GSC Troop Camper Training to support the progression and safety of the girls.
The trained Troop Camper accompanies the girls on any cooking, camping, hiking, or backpacking trip. The Troop Camper must work with the girls prior to camping to prepare them for the trip which may include but is not limited to learning and practicing cooking, packing, meal planning, outdoor activities, badges, and safety.
All Adult Troop Camper training is a blended learning experience: gsLearn online courses and in-person skill practicum training.
Prerequisites: Troop Camper Level 1 Learning Path.
Recommended for Second Year Daisies and higher.
Troop Camper Level 1 training course qualifies a Troop Camper to be able to:
This course provides basic outdoor instruction for taking your girl’s cabin or tent camping. Instruction includes fire safety, outdoor cooking using a wood fire, charcoal, and propane, tents, meal planning, plus an introduction to Leave No Trace Principles and girl-led outdoor experience progressions (planning for and doing).
The training is a one-day Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm by Council Trainers at either the Riverpoint Program Center or Mah-Kah-wee Program Center.
Participants bring their own food for each cooking method learned. More information is provided approximately three weeks prior to the in-person skill training date.
Fee based training.
Two-year certification.
Prerequisites:
Recommended for Juniors and higher.
Qualifies a Troop for: Semi-primitive Camping.
The training is overnight from Saturday morning 9:00 am to Sunday 12:00 pm by Council Trainers at the Mah-Kah-wee Program Center.
Participants provide their own tents and some meals. Community style dinner is provided by GSC, made by participants.
This course provides advance outdoor instruction for taking your girl’s hiking and cooking outdoors, building from Troop Camper Level 1 to include:
A Troop Camper Level 2 trained adult is responsible for training girls in these skills, along with all other adults attending troop camping trips.
Fee based training.
Three-year certification.
Prerequisites:
Recommend for Cadette and higher.
Primitive camping is defined as an overnight, outdoor experience in a rustic, natural setting, without the aid and comfort of electricity, running water, and bathrooms. The more rustic and natural the setting, the better! This is where you get to be "one with nature" and encourage yourself to practice those skills necessary to co-exist with the natural environment without causing harm to it. Leave your campsite the way nature created it.
To camp in a primitive setting is a privileged event. This is where we can study and experience nature for what it is - a fascinating environment. To achieve successful primitive camping experience, we must use skills not found in previous Troop Camper training courses.
Initial Training requirements:
Final training requirements:
A Troop Camper Level 3 trained adult is responsible for implementing girl led as well as training girls in these skills.
Fee based training.
Three-year certification.
This opportunity is for Certified Troop Camper Level 1 participant to renew their certification.
To recertify, the Troop Camper Level 1 has three options:
To apply for the Online Recertification option:
Qualifications for the online training option:
Online training application process:
Criteria: