Core Leadership

An adult Troop/Group volunteer must complete the Core Leadership Requirements*: Girl Scouting 101, GSOFCT Orientation, and Basic Leader Training.

Although Girl Scouts of Connecticut encourages two adults in every Troop/Group to complete both Girl Scouting 101 and GSOFCT Orientations, at least one adult is required. This adult must be present at all times when meeting with girls.

We highly encourage each Troop/Group to send several volunteers to training so that the same volunteer doesn’t have to be present at all events or events have to be cancelled because the trained volunteer isn’t available.

GS101 and GSOFCT Orientation must be taken prior to taking the Basic Leader course. Basic Leader Training needs to be completed within three months of starting your Troop/Group.

*These are the required courses for starting or working with a Girl Scout Troop/Group as a leadership team.

Course	Who Must Take Course	How Course is Taken
Girl Scouting 101(GS101) Overview of the Girl Scout organization, the National Program Portfolio, and the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). Course Length: 45 min.	For every volunteer prior to starting any volunteer position.	Online Self-paced; approx. 45 min. GSUSA hosted *Fee-None
GSOFCT Orientation Prerequisite: GS101 Review of the GSOFCT’s policies and procedures, Safety Activity Checkpoints, Troop/Group management, finances and Girl Program. Resource: Volunteer Essentials. Course Length: 3 hours	At least one Troop/Group adult. (Must be taken prior to working with girls) • Once completed, the adult Troop/Group volunteer may meet regularly with girls and go on simple field trips (4 hours or less to an indoor location during meeting time).	Face-to-face Provided in local community Facilitated by locally trained volunteer *Fee-None
Basic Leader Training Prerequisites: GS101 and GSOFCT Orientation Provides tools for planning and carrying out Troop/Group programs. Topics include safety awareness, group management skills, meeting planning, program ideas, and ways to keep the girls involved in the GSLE. Course Length: 3 hours	At least one Troop/Group adult. (Must be taken within three months of starting your Troop/Group.)	Classroom setting Provided statewide Provided by Council Learning Facilitators *Fee-None