Volunteer Training

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. 

Your Local Connection
Are you a new troop leader or a leader joining a service team? Take this quick training to learn more about the basics of a service unit! You’ll learn what a service unit does to serve girls and support troop volunteers—and you’ll be introduced to the volunteer roles on the service team that make it happen!

Let’s Go! Travel Training
This introductory training provides all the information volunteers need to take girls on a domestic trip focusing on Daisy, Brownie and Junior troops. The training includes a video presentation, a travel checklist, packing lists and suggested activities to get girls ready for travel!  

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 Summit
Looking to step up your outdoor skills and learn valuable tools for teaching girls? Look no further than the Outdoor Training Summit, held annually at Camp Redwing in September! This hands-on training summit will go "Beyond the Basic 8" to help you build confidence in your outdoor skills and offer different ways to teach outdoor skills to girls of all ages. Have fun, learn new skills, and network with other volunteers through interactive activities and discussions.

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.