Volunteer Training | Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania

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.

Find all out upcoming volunteer trainings by clicking on the button below.

PLEASE NOTE: You must be logged in to your MyGS account to follow the gsLearn links to courses and learning paths listed on this page.

Volunteers like you let their generosity, courage, and heart shine through in everything they do—and your Girl Scouts take notice. Thank you for everything you bring to Girl Scouting.

Below, browse essential training courses required and or/recommended to help you create experiences Girl Scouts will never forget.

New Leader

If you want to be a troop leader toggle arrow

Check out the New Leader Checklist on the New Troop Leaders page to get started!
Volunteers help keep girls safe, especially troop leaders! Complete the Girl Scouts Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention training in gsLearn. This is added to the New Troop Leader Training path, so you can also find it there once you start your training.

If you want to prepare for seasonal Girl Scout activities toggle arrow

The Continued Learning Paths for Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer in gsLearn are optional learning paths in gsLearn to help you manage your troop, work with girls and their families, and prep for seasonal girl activities.

If you want a First Aider for troop activities toggle arrow

Any activity that occurs outside of your usual meeting space requires a First Aider, which is a cleared, approved volunteer who has valid First Aid/CPR/AED certification. This training provides knowledge and skills for emergency life-saving techniques involving infants, children, and adults and you can often find a training in your local community. View our map of approved organizations. Or register for a Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania training here.

Do you have a group of eight or more volunteers needing training and already have a location? Request a training at your location.

View our First Aider Information Sheet for more details on being a First Aider.

Outdoor

If you want to take girls camping toggle arrow

First Aid/CPR/AED certification: This training provides knowledge and skills for emergency life-saving techniques involving infants, children, and adults. Any activity that occurs outside of your usual meeting space requires a First Aider, including camping. You can often find a training in your local community. View our map of approved organizations. Or register for a Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania training here.

Do you have a group of eight or more volunteers needing training and already have a location? Request a training at your location.

View our First Aider Information Sheet for more details on being a First Aider.
Let’s Go Camping 1: This online course found in gsLearn is for volunteers working with girls who are just starting their camping adventures. Course completion is required to take girls camping at a GSWPA property. This training will allow volunteers to take Girl Scouts for an overnight in a lodge for a maximum of 2 nights. Learn more about what this training prepares you for.
Let’s Go Camping 2: This in-person training is led by volunteer trainers and will allow you to take girls on longer camping trips, camp in a tent, teach girls how to handle knives, and build and cook over a fire. Trainings are held seasonally from mid-March to May and from September to October. Completion of Let’s Go Camping 1 is a prerequisite for this training. Learn more about what this training prepares you for. Register for training here.
If your Let’s Go Camping certification is expiring soon and you need to recertify, you can check out all your recertification options on the Outdoor Training page or start the process in the Let’s Go Camping Recertification course in gsLearn.

If you want to teach girls archery toggle arrow

Start with the GSWPA Archery Training course in gsLearn. This is the online portion of the training that is a pre-requisite of the in-person skills session. Completion of both the online and in-person skills session allows volunteers to facilitate archery, hatchet, and slingshot activities for girls at GSWPA properties only. Training is required every three years. Find an in-person skills session!

If you want to take girls on the water toggle arrow

The Girl Scouts Small Craft Safety Training: Canoes, Kayaks, and Stand-up Paddleboards learning path is in gsLearn. This is the online portion of the training that is a pre-requisite of the in-person skills session that is for either canoeing/kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. Completion of both the online and in-person skills session allows volunteers to take girls and volunteers on flatwater and moving water through Class I on GSWPA properties and other approved sites for four years. Find an in-person skills session!

If you want to take girls swimming toggle arrow

If girls are in water above their knees, a lifeguard is needed. While a lifeguard can be provided at pools at camp, you can become a lifeguard for girls swimming in unguarded pools not at camp and other bodies of water. Contact our outdoor team via customercare@gswpa.org for more information.

If you want to help girls experience ropes courses or the climbing wall at camp toggle arrow

Join outdoor program staff to be trained in facilitating girl activities on low ropes courses and auto-belay training! Search for trainings at camp!

If you want to lead a day camp toggle arrow

Check out the Volunteer-Led Day Camps page for the Day Camp Director Manual and complete Day Camp Director Training in gsLearn.
Day Camp Directors are also required to complete the Girl Scouts Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention training in gsLearn. This is added to the Day Camp Director Training, so you can also find it there once you start your training.

Leveling Up

If your troop is bridging toggle arrow

Your first stop is the Traditions and Ceremonies learning path in gsLearn! The first course, Girl Scout Traditions, is an introduction to essential Girl Scout traditions, including bridging ceremonies. You’ll be able to download documents and guides to help you plan and conduct a bridging ceremony.
The Leveled Learning Series learning paths in gsLearn can help you support activities, awards, and experiences at each program level—especially if your troop is bridging to a new level! There is a learning path for Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassador, and one for multi-level troops, too!

If your Girl Scouts want to earn a Highest Award toggle arrow

Once your troop bridges to Juniors, check out the Highest Award Overview course in gsLearn to see what the Highest Awards are all about!
Cadettes earning the Silver Award are required to complete the Earning the Silver Award learning path found in gsLearn. Troop leaders and parents/guardians are encouraged to take the training to learn more about the requirements and guidelines of the Silver Award to help support Cadettes as they pursue this Highest Award.
Completing the National Gold Award Training for Youth is a requirement for Seniors and Ambassadors. To learn how volunteers can support girls throughout their Gold Award project, volunteers can complete the GSUSA How to Support a Gold Award Girl Scout course in gsLearn.

If you want to take girls on a trip toggle arrow

First Aid/CPR/AED certification: This training provides knowledge and skills for emergency life-saving techniques involving infants, children, and adults. Any activity that occurs outside of your usual meeting space requires a First Aider. You can often find a training in your local community. View our map of approved organizations. Or register for a Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania training here.

Do you have a group of eight or more volunteers needing training and already have a location? Request a training at your location.

View our First Aider Information Sheet for more details on being a First Aider.
For field trips, local travel, and day trips, the gsLearn course Field Trips and Local Travel is recommended but not required. Topics include girl safety while on adventures outside of the meeting place, incorporating the Girl Scout Leadership Experience into the planning of a trip, and the safety and supervision policies that apply to all types of Girl Scout travel

For more advanced trips that include travel of 200 or more miles roundtrip, one or more overnights, and/or high adventure activities, completion of Let’s Travel the USA is a requirement for volunteers. Topics include girl safety while on overnights and long-distance travel, guiding girls to take on more leadership in trip planning, the policies to follow, and resources to help you make girls' travel and high-adventure activities happen.
The Girl Scouts Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention training in gsLearn is required to take girls on a trip. It is assigned to all adult members and can be found on your gsLearn dashboard.

If your troop wants to do community service toggle arrow

Designed with the input of veteran volunteers, the Guiding Community Service Projects course in gsLearn is part of the Spring Continued Learning path in gsLearn. This training guides volunteers on the best practices for incorporating community service projects into their Girl Scout year. Whether as a part of the Service Bar or simply because the girls care about a cause or issue and want to help, this course connects leaders to resources, inspiration, and council policies on performing community service.

If you want to guide older girls toggle arrow

Training isn’t just for adult volunteers! There are some trainings that are also required for girls to participate in other opportunities outside of their troop experiences.

Girls 14 years of age and older can be nominated by their service unit to serve as council delegates. All nominated council delegates have to complete the Council Delegate Training in gsLearn and this course will be assigned to members directly.
Cadettes through Ambassadors have the opportunity to learn the basics to become safe and responsible babysitters. The Safe Sitter Babysitting Training is offered throughout the year.
Seniors and Ambassadors have exciting opportunities to mentor younger girls in a camp setting and build skills toward becoming camp counselors. Counselor-in-Training I and II can be completed during camp sessions in the summer. Check out Camp S'more magazine for more information.
Seniors and Ambassadors can also take their horse knowledge to the next level with Wrangler-in-Training I and II at Camp Skymeadow during the summer. Check out Camp S'more magazine for more information.
Juniors through Ambassadors can earn the Highest Awards—the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. The Highest Awards Overview course in gsLearn reviews all the requirements of each and how you can support girls as they earn these awards. The Earning the Silver Award learning path in gsLearn and the online National Gold Award Training for Youth provide details specific to these Highest Awards.

Working with Girls

If you want to learn more about working with girls at each level toggle arrow

The Leveled Learning Series learning paths in gsLearn can help you support activities, awards, and experiences at each program level. There is a learning path for Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassador, and one for multi-level troops, too!
GSUSA’s World Thinking Day 101 course in gsLearn is an overview of this Girl Scout tradition and how to plan a World Thinking Day event.

If you want to take girls on a trip toggle arrow

Any activity that occurs outside of your usual meeting space requires a First Aider, which is a cleared, approved volunteer who has valid First Aid/CPR/AED certification. This training provides knowledge and skills for emergency life-saving techniques involving infants, children, and adults. You can often find a training in your local community. View our map of approved organizations. Or register for a Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania training here.

Do you have a group of eight or more volunteers needing training and already have a location? Request a training at your location.

View our First Aider Information Sheet for more details on being a First Aider.
For field trips, local travel, and day trips, the gsLearn course Field Trips and Local Travel is recommended but not required. Topics include girl safety while on adventures outside of the meeting place, incorporating the Girl Scout Leadership Experience into the planning of a trip, and the safety and supervision policies that apply to all types of Girl Scout travel.

For more advanced trips that include travel of 200 or more miles roundtrip, one or more overnights, and/or high adventure activities, completion of Let’s Travel the USA is a requirement for volunteers. Topics include girl safety while on overnights and long-distance travel, guiding girls to take on more leadership in trip planning, the policies to follow, and resources to help you make girls' travel and high-adventure activities happen.
The Girl Scouts Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention training in gsLearn is required to take girls on a trip. It is assigned to all adult members and can be found on your gsLearn dashboard.

If your troop wants to participate in a product program toggle arrow

The Gifts & Goodies program (the fall product program) occurs from October through November, and training for troop fall product managers happens in September. The Girl Scout Cookie Program starts in early January and runs through the end of March, and training for troop cookie managers happens in December.

If you want to teach girls Girl Scout traditions and ceremonies toggle arrow

Your first stop is the Traditions and Ceremonies learning path in gsLearn, an introduction to many traditions and ceremonies that make Girl Scouts unique from friendship circles to bridging ceremonies. You’ll be able to download documents and guides to help you plan and conduct ceremonies.
Flag ceremonies are an integral part of being a Girl Scout! Learn more in the Flag Ceremonies course in gsLearn about when, how, and why to conduct a flag ceremony and how to teach girls about flags and flag ceremonies.
GSUSA’s World Thinking Day 101 course in gsLearn is an overview of this Girl Scout tradition and how to plan a World Thinking Day event.

If you want to teach your troop how to conduct a flag ceremony toggle arrow

Flag ceremonies are an integral part of being a Girl Scout! Learn more in the Flag Ceremonies course in gsLearn about when, how, and why to conduct a flag ceremony and how to teach girls about flags and flag ceremonies.

If you want to support a youth experiencing a mental health challenge toggle arrow

The GSUSA Ready. Resilient. Strong. Patch course in gsLearn reviews activities that work for all levels of girls for this patch and provides additional resources to help lead girls through those activities.
In the GSUSA Mental Wellness 101 course in gsLearn, you will learn what mental health is and how to recognize the signs of mental health challenges. You will explore different scenarios that young people may experience and learn how you can promote an environment within Girl Scouts for you and others to thrive and grow.
The GSUSA The Mental Wellness Patch Program: Why It Matters and How to Implement It course in gsLearn teaches you best practices for holding a Mental Wellness patch program to give your Girl Scouts the tools and support they need to better understand and care for their mental health.
The live Youth Mental Health First Aid training, facilitated by trained staff, is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Find a session here.

If you want your troop to be more inclusive toggle arrow

In the GSUSA Delivering Inclusive Program course in gsLearn, you will practice using inclusive and equitable language to support the identities of all Girl Scouts and foster a cohesive troop environment.
GSUSA’s Tips for Troop Leaders has ideas from other leaders across the nation!
Our girl program team is a great resource for being inclusive within the troop environment. Contact them by emailing customercare@gswpa.org.

Certification tracking is on the move!

Currently, any certification that a volunteer holds (like First Aid/CPR/AED) is tracked as a role in MyGS, under 263 GSWPA Certifications listed in the My Troops tab.

This spring, certification tracking will be moving to Achievements in gsLearn and will look just like a course completion, so all training and certifications will be found in one place. Volunteer submission of new certifications will also be housed in gsLearn.

As always, if a volunteer completes a training certification through Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, that certification will automatically be added to a volunteer’s record. It will now just be in gsLearn and not as a role.

See below for all the details!

What certifications are being tracked?

Any certification or training that is required for volunteers to lead an activity with girls. This includes certifications like First Aid/CPR/AED, Archery Training, Let’s Go Camping 2, and Explore Your Year.

When is this happening?

The tracking of certifications will happen in two phases. The first is a transitional phase as we move all current certification records to gsLearn. This phase has already started and will continue through late spring/early summer. During this phase, volunteers will see new Achievements in their gsLearn that show their current certification, the date the certification was earned, and the date the certification will expire.

The second phase is when volunteers will be able to submit any new certifications into gsLearn for the most common certifications. Less common certifications will still be tracked in gsLearn, but council staff will add those for volunteers. This will be right after the transitional phase and is planned for early to mid-summer.

Why is this change being made?

The move of certification tracking in gsLearn is so that volunteers can easily see all training and certifications in one place. The process for volunteers to submit certifications will be standardized, and volunteers will be able to monitor the approval status of their submissions.

Where do I find my certification information?

Valid certifications that current volunteers hold are currently being uploaded to gsLearn. So during this transition period, volunteers will be able to see their certifications as both a role under 263 GSWPA Certifications in the My Troops tab in MyGS and as an Achievement within gsLearn. Once all valid certifications are uploaded to gsLearn, the roles under 263 GSWPA Certifications will be made inactive.

Other Learning Opportunities and Resources

Want to connect with staff or a volunteer mentor? Attend a Volunteer Open House, a Coffee Chat with the Girl Program Team, or contact a seasoned volunteer who’s part of the Troop Mentor Network.
Ideas and Tips on navigating gsLearn
Volunteer Toolkit User Guides
Volunteer Essentials: A go-to guide for volunteers that includes details on troop management, engaging girls and their families, creating a safe space for girls, and more.
Safety Activity Checkpoints: The first stop volunteers, girls, and parents/caregivers should make when planning any activity! It includes information on approved activities girls can participate in, safety guidelines, training requirements, and other safety information.
Forms and Documents