You're doing something amazing by volunteering with Girl Scouts--introducing girls to new experiences and being a great role model. So whether you're new to Girl Scouts or a seasoned pro, we want to make sure you're prepared for all the great experiences that are ahead.
In-person New Leader Training sessions, along with an orientation video and downloadable guide, provides new troop leaders with an overview of Girl Scouts and all the things you need to know to get started! Learn more on our New Troop Leader page.
Once you're on board, take advantage of training and enrichment programs throughout the year designed to help you give your girls the best experience possible.
First Aid / CPR for Adults
First Aid and CPR training is required of the adult acting as the primary first-aider for the Girl Scout group activities. GSWPA only accepts certifications that provide hands-on training format and issue a certification. Training and certifications completed entirely online do not meet First Aid, CPR, and AED training requirements. See our Events Calendar for upcoming trainings.
Online Training
Several webinars are held each month covering topics ranging from Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards, cookie sales, travel, and more. See our Events Calendar for upcoming programs.
On-demand Training
gsLearn
Introducing a new online training platform for troop leaders
Volunteers can now take their Girl Scout learning experience to
the next level with gsLearn! New troop leaders are assigned courses to
support them in their volunteer role and have an amazing Girl Scout
year, but all volunteers can access gsLearn and take a few courses.
More courses will be added throughout the year! To get started, click
the yellow MyGS link at the top of our website. Login using your
username and password for MyGS. Next, select gsLearn from the welcome
screen. You can return at any time to review and refresh your Girl
Scout knowledge!
Program
Aide Facilitator Training
This training will cover
the basics of leading and facilitatating Program Aide Training to
Cadette Girl Scouts. Topics include what the Program Aide award is and
how girls earn it; the time commitment for Program Aide facilitators
and what materials are needed; discussion of key topics and activities
in the Program Aide training; and tips to help you have a successful training.
Silver Award Workshops
If you're unable to attend one of the scheduled Silver Award
workshops or trainings featured in our Activites
Calendar, GSWPA offers additional online, on-demand training. Both options outline the
available resources, how to start, and project requirements.
Girl Scouts
University
This online resource offered by Girl Scouts
of the USA offers personal, professional, and career development
learning opportunities for Girl Scouts staff and volunteers. Take
advantage of these growing online resources!
Outdoor Training
Outdoor
Skills Training
Planning to head out in the great
outdoors? To take advantage of all the super fun outdoor activities we
have planned (as well as book field trips and troop outings) you’ll
need at least one adult per troop to complete Outdoor Skills training.
Calling all Outdoor Trainers & Facilitators
Are you interested in helping fellow volunteers and girls get
outside? We have opportunities available for Outdoor Skills Council
Trainers and you can become part of the network of facilitators who
help girls safely participate in activities like archery, canoeing,
and low ropes. Let us know your interests by filling out this survey and staff will get in
touch with you! If you’ve become a facilitator and you haven’t been
asked to facilitate an activity, let us know that on the survey, too!
We’re improving our system of tracking, supporting, and celebrating
our trainers and facilitators and we’d welcome you to join us in
getting more girls outdoors!
Outdoor Courses and Certification
Volunteer Instructors must successfully complete GSWPA outdoor
training courses and certifications before facilitating council
programming. Click on the courses below to view upcoming sessions.
USA Archery
Small Craft Safety: Canoeing
Small Craft Safety: Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
CPR, First Aid & AED Training
Outdoor Skill-Building Videos
Thanks to a grant from the Elliott
Wildlife Values Project, GSUSA created eight outdoor
skill-building videos especially for volunteers newer to Girl Scouts
and older Girl Scouts as they take younger girls outside.
Venture Out! Interactive Training
Learn practical tips and tricks, read other volunteers’
stories, and explore the joys of taking girls outside with Venture
Out!, a fun, interactive “outdoor” adventure made possible by
GSUSA’s Elliott Wildlife Values Project.
