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Troop Volunteer Resources & Training

Learning and developing new skills and insights are all part of the Girl Scout program, and not just for the girls! 

We can’t change the lives of girls without you! Complete the following new volunteer requirements and get started on your learning journey today. 

  • Register as a member of Girl Scouts.
  • Successfully complete a Criminal Background Screening.
  • Complete the Core Leadership Requirements.
  • Complete any additional training necessary to support planned activities.

A variety of learning methods are available once you register for our volunteer training. For your convenience, your class registrations and online training can be completed on a computer or mobile device.

To access gsLearn, follow these easy steps!

  1. All the way to the right of the green bar at the top of any GSOFCT webpage, click on “MY GS”.
  2. On the page that loads, click on “Login” in the top right corner.
  3. Your username is your email.
  4. Once logged in, click on “gsLearn” on the left side menu.

For assistance accessing your account, please contact Customer Care (800) 922-2770 or customercare@gsofct.org

Click on a topic to find out more about specific learning opportunities!

National Program Resources
New & Returning Troop Resources
Important Online Publications
The Basics

Guides for volunteers working with girls, including Journeys, badges, ceremonies and more

First Five Meetings

These booklets have five sample meetings that you can use with your troop. Feel free to alter the plans to meet the needs of the girls and your troop’s resources. 

New Co-Leader Training

GSUSA Successful Leader Learning Series: Introduction to Girl Scouts and insight in to how to be a successful leader with a successful troop!

How to Get Your Troop Started in Connecticut: Review of GSOFCT’s Policies and Procedures and how to get your troop up and running.

Girl Scouts of Connecticut requires all co-leaders in every troop/group to complete Co-Leader Orientation.  At least one trained co-leader must be present at all times when meeting with girls.

Please note: You have up to ONE month from the start of your troop/group to complete the New Co-Leader Training Requirements.

Outdoor Training & Resources

 

GSUSA Outdoor Resources

Outdoor Training
If the girls in the troop/group plan to participate in outdoor activities, then the troop will need to have an adult who is outdoor trained and who will be responsible for planning and preparing for the outdoor event with the girls, attending the event and help supervise the girls, listening to the girls, and help them evaluate the experience. GSOFCT outdoor trainings are progressive in nature building on the skills from the previous course. Prerequisites are required for each course.

  • Out and About
    Prepares volunteers to take girls beyond the basic four-hour field trip encompassing events up to two nights and three days
    • Classroom or Online option available
       
  • Ready? Set? Camp!
    Provides volunteers with the skills they need to teach girls to build fires, begin their outdoor cooking adventures, and sleep in established tents, A-frames or lean-tos. 
    • Offered at Program Centers statewide
    • Pre-requisite: Out and About

Explore Venture Out, an online resource that provides guidance to volunteers who may be less familiar with taking younger girls outdoors. 

Thanks to a grant from the Elliott Wildlife Values Project, GSUSA has created six new outdoor skill-building videos especially for volunteers newer to Girl Scouts and older Girl Scouts as they take younger girls outside. 

Adults should practice outdoor skills and learning experiences with girls prior to taking the next training course. Courses should be taken when the girls are “ready” for the next step.

Resume-Ready Volunteer Position Descriptions
Health and Safety

NOTE: Due to COVID-19, the American Red Cross is offering extended blended learning courses.  More information can be found here.

The health and safety of a troop/group are very important. Although health and safety are the concern of the entire leadership team, a large part of the responsibility rests in the hands of the First Aider.

The adult acting as the certified First Aider must be current in both First Aid and Adult/Child CPR/AED.  Certification is good for two years. In order to stay current, you must recertify either on or before the expiration date of your card.

The American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED course provides participants with the skills needed to give immediate care to a suddenly injured or ill person until more advanced medical personnel arrive and take over. GSOFCT offers this course with three options:

  • Full course – for persons certifying for the first time
  • Review course– for persons whose certifications are still valid but near expiration   
  • Challenge Course – for persons whose certification has expired                                   

Note: First-aid/CPR/AED trainings that are available entirely online do not satisfy GSUSA standards and therefore, are not acceptable certification for Girl Scout adults. All skills must be demonstrated to a currently certified instructor. If you’re taking any course that has online components, please contact our Customer Care Department to ensure the course(s) fulfills GSOFCT requirements.

Help your girls understand online safety by reviewing the Internet Safety Pledge with them:



For more information about any of the courses listed above, please contact Customer Care or call (800) 922-2770. 

Hiking Today. Trailblazing Tomorrow. Become a Girl Scout. Join Now
Hiking Today. Trailblazing Tomorrow. Become a Girl Scout. Join Now
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