Volunteer Training and Resources

Gaining Leadership Skills Through Service

There’s a lot to explore in Girl Scouts and we’re here to help navigate it all! If you are a Girl Scout volunteer or parent/guardian, and you need further support with the Girl Scout program or troop planning, there are specialists available to help you!

Girl Scout Resources

As a Girl Scout volunteer, you help girls learn lessons they will use for decades to come. Below you will find some resources to help you help girls be leaders in their own lives and in the world.

Frequently Accessed Forms and Documents toggle arrow

Volunteer Essentials

This resource reviews important topics related to safety, managing money, planning trips and working with girls of all ages. Use it as a reference anytime you need it.

View Volunteer Essentials

Volunteer Policies

The Volunteer Policies of Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Inc., (GSNC) are intended to provide the basis for reasonable and consistent guidance for our volunteers.

View GSNC's Volunteer Policies

GSNC Policies, Standards & Guidelines

A Girl Scouts of Nassau County Resource for Adults in Girl Scouting providing direction and guidance to ensure the delivery of quality program in a reasonably safe and secure environment.

View GSNC Policies, Standards & Guidelines

Blue Book of Basic Documents

The Blue Book of Basic Documents contains important information and source documents, including the Constitution of Girl Scouts of the United States of America, bylaws, policies, credentials criteria and standards for councils, our Congressional Charter, and more. Download (PDF) English | Español

Safety Activity Checkpoints

Safety guidelines for Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and Girl Scouts of Nassau County aprpoved activities. When preparing for any activity with girls, always begin with the Safety Activity Checkpoints (SACs) written specifically for that pairticular activity. In this introduction you will find specific information for the checkpoints that are common to all activities, such as that for communicating with council and parents, as well as an overview of the format for all SACs.

Safety Activity Checkpoints

What to do: if a Troop Disbands, Splits or Merges?

This resource reviews and offers the correct guidence in order to disband , split or merge a Troop.

What to do: if a Troop Disbands, Splits or Merges?

Visit our Forms and Documents Library for additional forms and online resources.

Religious Observances and Cultural Holidays toggle arrow

Girl Scouts of Nassau County's policy regarding religious observance is:

“As members of our inclusive community, all Girl Scouts of Nassau County troops should refrain from holding any meetings, events or Girl Scout activities during the religious observances listed below.”

Girl Scout Events or Meetings CANNOT be Scheduled on the Dates Below

Rosh Hashanah	Friday, September 11, 2026 (sunset) – Sunday, September 13, 2026
Yom Kippur	Sunday, September 20, 2026 (sunset) – Monday, September 21, 2026
Diwali	Sunday, November 8, 2026
Chanukah first night	Friday, December 4, 2026 (sunset)
Chanukah last day	Saturday, December 12, 2026 (sunset)
Christmas Eve	Thursday, December 24, 2026
Christmas Day	Friday, December 25, 2026
First Night of Ramadan	Sunday, February 7, 2027 (sunset)
First Day of Ramadan	Monday, February 8, 2027
Ash Wednesday	Wednesday, February 10, 2027
Eid al-Fitr	Tuesday, March 9, 2027 (sunset) – Wednesday, March 10, 2027
Palm Sunday	Sunday, March 21, 2027
Good Friday	Friday, March 26, 2027
Easter	Sunday, March 28, 2027
First two nights of Passover	Wednesday, April 21, 2027 (sunset) – Thursday, April 22, 2027 (sunset)
Last night of Passover	Wednesday April 28 (sunset) – Thursday April 29, 2027
Eid al-Adha	Sunday, May 16, 2027 (sunset) – Monday, May 17, 2027
Rosh Hashanah	Friday, October 1, 2027 (sunset) – Sunday, October 3, 2027
Yom Kippur	Sunday, October 10, 2027 (sunset) – Monday, October 11, 2027
Diwali	Friday, October 29, 2027
Chanukah first night	Friday, December 24, 2027 (sunset)
Christmas Eve	Friday, December 24, 2027
Christmas Day	Saturday, December 25, 2027
Chanukah last day	Saturday, January 1, 2028

*For holidays that begin at sunset Girl Scout programs are permitted up until 3pm that day

Cultural Holidays
There are many cultural holidays throughout the year which are great opportunities for our Girl Scouts to learn and grow. Consider participating in local community celebrations or discovering and exploring on your own or with your families. Some cultural holidays are also opportunities to do local service projects.

Some cultural holidays to consider are:

Patriot Day	Friday, September 11, 2026
International Day of the Girl	Sunday, October 11, 2026
Columbus Day/ Indigenous People’s Day	Monday, October 12, 2026
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	Monday, January 18, 2027
Lunar New Year	Saturday, February 6, 2027
International Women’s Day	Monday, March 8, 2027
St. Patrick’s Day	Wednesday, March 17, 2027
Holi	Monday, March 22, 2027
Earth Day	Thursday, April 22, 2027
Juneteenth	Saturday, June 19, 2027
Women’s Equality Day	Thursday, August 26, 2027

Materials for Loan toggle arrow

Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) and the Volunteer Loaning Process

The VRC is the place that will help guide you, the Girl Scout Volunteer, along your Girl Scout journey. Together, we’ll plan amazing troop meetings that will show girls that they can have fun and do amazing things that change the world, all at the same time.

Borrow materials from the VRC

All Things Girl Scouts Office Hours toggle arrow

Do you have Girl Scout questions and want to connect with someone live? For questions about the Girl Scout program, troop management, the Volunteer Toolkit, and more, sign up for an appointment with GSNC's Volunteer Training and Resource Manager!

If you are looking for help with the Bronze, Silver or Gold Awards, please sign up for our Highest Awards Virtual Office Hours with GSNC's Program Manager.

IMPORTANT:

New Troop Leaders: You must complete your Required New Troop Leader Onboarding Process prior to submitting a request.

Girl Scouts: You must be accompanied by an adult during virtual office hours appointments.

Branding 101 toggle arrow

Girl Scouts is a vibrant, living, and constantly evolving community and so is our visual identity. Our brand is not just a logo—it is a design system composed of elements that work together to create a distinctive look and feel for our communications.

Check out our Branding 101 page here!

Additional Resources toggle arrow

Social Emotional Learning

The Social Emotional Learning resources provided below are part of Sesame Street in Communities - Social Emotional Skills series. Helping kids build skills to develop healthy relationships, respect differences, and build the social behaviors and confidence they need.

Bea’s Block Kindness Adventure Color & Activity Guide

Seeds for Good

Community Garden Clean-up

Beautiful Me

Welcome to our Garden

Welcome to our Garden

Exploring Outdoors

Grow your colors

I am me

Checklists for Troop Leaders toggle arrow

New Troop Leader Checklist

Starting and leading a Girl Scout troop may feel overwhelming, but we are here to help you check all the boxes and have a smooth start to your Girl Scout Journey! This checklist lays out your first three months of being a troop leader.

Caregiver Meeting Checklist

Some troop leaders may welcome caregivers to Girl Scouts prior to their first troop meeting by hosting a caregiver informational meeting, while others may welcome caregivers during their first troop meeting. Whichever way you decide to welcome caregivers to Girl Scouts, here is a short checklist with some key components you may want to include when welcoming them!

End of Year Checklist

When wrapping up the Girl Scout Year, there are a few loose ends to tie up. Some are required, while some are optional depending on your troop. This short checklist will help you as you wrap up the Girl Scout Year and start planning for the next one!

Girl Scout Trainings

Below you will find all of the courses you need to complete your Basic Leadership training, along with some optional online courses and tips that will help get your Troop started and create the most exciting leadership experience for our girls.

PLEASE NOTE: You must be logged in to your MyGS account to follow some links on this page.

Required New Leader Trainings toggle arrow

A Customer Care Manager will contact new leaders to explain the process below and track completion.

New Troop Leader Onboarding Process:

Registration and Background check
New Leader Orientation Training
New Leader Essentials and Resources Training
New Leader Training Completion Form
Volunteer Leader Description and Agreement
New Leader Feedback Survey

In total, the above process should take approximately 90 minutes to complete!

Process Details

Registration and Background check
New Leader Orientation
The New Leader Orientation gets new leaders acquainted with the initial steps of becoming a troop leader.
New Leader Essentials and Resources
The New Leader Essentials and Resources training teaches new leaders everything they need to feel prepared before running their first troop meeting.
New Leader Training Completion Form
New leaders will verify they have completed the New Leader Orientation and New Leader Essentials and Resources trainings.
Volunteer Leader Description and Agreement
New leaders agree to uphold the responsibilities specified for the role of a troop leader.
New Leader Feedback Survey
New leaders will share their feedback about the onboarding experience.

Girl Scouts of Nassau County troop leaders access the above required process on gsLearn. gsLearn is an easy-to-use training forum for Girl Scout volunteers.

gsLearn

Check out gsLearn: GSNC’s Training Experience for Volunteers!

There are several courses in gsLearn for new and seasoned volunteers to view. Courses include Brand Ambassador 101 for Volunteers, Managing My Troop from My Account, Inclusion for Girls with Disabilities, and Training Tidbit videos that are under 10 minutes.

Sign in to gsLearn and start exploring!

Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) toggle arrow

It’s the digital planning assistant that will help you power a fun-filled—and organized—Girl Scout year.

The Volunteer Toolkit is a customizable planning tool where you can find suggested meeting plans for most badges, access activity guides and badge requirements, track your Girl Scouts’ achievements, and so much more.

What can I do in the VTK?

Access step-by-step activity guides for each troop and/or Juliette meeting
View Daisy through Ambassador Journeys, badges, and awards (to plan for troop meetings), including pre populated tracks.
Easily share meeting activities, and experiences with other parents/caregivers
Log girls’ program achievements and milestones
Keep track of all events and activities
Find resources tailored just for you

You’ll find the Volunteer Toolkit via the left menu bar of MyGS in My Account. It’s accessible on any desktop, tablet, or mobile device. Be sure to use Google Chrome or Firefox to access the VTK, as browsers like Safari and Internet Explorer are not compatible.

Registered Girl Scout Volunteers/Juliette Parents! Check out the video series about the Girl Scout Volunteer Toolkit, available to view in gsLearn!

View our Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) Short and Snappy video>>

How to Organize a Girl Scout Uniform toggle arrow

Girl Scout badges, patches, awards, and other insignia should be presented, worn, and displayed only after Girl Scouts have completed the requirements outlined in official program materials.

Girl Scouts at each level have one required element (tunic, sash, or vest) to display official pins and awards when they participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout Movement.

View the Visual Guide for Awards, Badges, Patches, and More.

*As suggested by Troop Leaders

The Virtual Girl Scout Environment toggle arrow

Now more than ever it’s important to be connected with your troop. We’ve created virtual resources to help you safely and successfully lead your troop and ensure they continue to have a positive Girl Scout Experience.

A Virtual Troop Meeting with Troop 3751
Learn about a virtual meeting structure, virtual troop activities, how to set up a virtual meeting in Zoom, virtual safety guidelines, and how to prepare for your virtual meeting.

Tips for Running a Virtual Girl Scout Meeting
Learn some best practice tips for you and the girls in this environment, what planning can look like, and parent involvement in virtual meetings.

Tips for hosting a Virtual Bridging Ceremony
A Bridging Ceremony honors and celebrates a Girl Scout’s advancement to the next level. It should be a personalized and memorable event. Get tips for hosting a Virtual Bridging Ceremony, including bridging ceremony preparation, bridging ceremony structure, and activity ideas.

Entrepreneurial Programs Trainings toggle arrow

Cookie Trainings

Cookies 101
Interactive hands-on workshop for new (or relatively new) Cookie volunteers. Learn the ins and outs of the Cookie Program. You’ll go home with the knowledge, resources and tools to help make the upcoming Cookie season a piece of cake! These are typically held in the late fall/ early winter and specific dates are announced in the fall. View the available Cookies 101 training dates.

eBudde Online Training (Making eBudde your Buddy)
If you're new to eBudde or need a refresher, here's your chance to become familiar with the eBudde system. Log onto eBudde and click on the eLearning tab. That will bring you to the eBudde tutorial. These are typically held in the late fall/ early winter and specific dates are announced in the fall. View the available Making eBudde your Buddy training dates.

VIP e-Training Lessons for Troop Cookie Manager
If you missed your Association training or just need a refresher, take the VIP eTraining from Little Brownie and GSNC. To gain access, use the same login information that you use for the eBudde system. Need help logging onto eBudde, contact your Association Chair or Sonia Oxford at oxfords@gsnc.org.

Mags&Munchies Trainings

Troop Fall Products Manager Training
All Troop Managers need to attend a Mags&Munchies training in the fall. Mags&Munchies Association Chairs will be hosting trainings in their communities for Troop Mags&Munchies Managers starting in August.

New to Mags&Munchies Workshop
If you've never experienced the Mags&Munchies Program before, you might want to register for the NEW TO MAGS&MUNCHIES workshops held at the Council Service Center. These are typically held in the late summer or early fall and specific dates are announced in the mid-summer. View all of our New to Mags&Munchies Workshops

First Aid/CPR Trainings toggle arrow

For many activities, Girl Scouts recommends that at least one adult volunteer be First Aid/CPR certified (a complete list of recommendations can be found in Volunteer Essentials and GSUSA's Safety Activity Checkpoints.

GSNC offers First Aid/CPR certification workshops semi-annually. Check our Program Calendar for upcoming workshops.

You can pursue certification through various resources such as local community education, your local fire department, or community center or look online for trainings offered by the American Red Cross, National Safety Council, and the American Heart Association.

Camp/Outdoor/Trip Trainings toggle arrow

What is a Girl Scout Trip and how do you get ready for it? These outdoor trainings will help you prepare!

Outdoor Training at a Glance

Trip Training
What is a Girl Scout Trip and how do you get ready for it? The Trip Training course will prepare leaders and trip coordinators to bring their Troops/Groups on any Girl Scout trip or activity. Participants will become familiar with GSUSA Safety Activity Checkpoints, GSNC Policies, Standards and Guidelines, budgeting, timing, transportation and other topics, so that the event is fun and safe for all. Register for Trip Training

Outdoor Camp Training
Girl Scouts of Nassau County provides Outdoor Camp Training courses to help Girl Scout volunteers prepare themselves and the girls they work with to enjoy outdoor experiences together. Training will introduce progression in the out-of-doors, review camp facilities and provide basic skills for outdoor program. Outdoor Camp Training includes a pre plan meeting at the Girl Scout Service Center and a mandatory overnight at Camp Blue Bay. Register for Outdoor Training

Outdoor Camp Training Update
Camp guidelines, procedures and program change. Your camping skills must be updated every three years to enable you to take girls camping. The Outdoor Camp Training Update course will review skills, provide up-to-date information on camp materials used, ecology and environmental guidelines. (Required every three years) Register for a Camp Update

Highest Awards Trainings toggle arrow

Bronze Award Training

Learn the ins and outs of what is required to lead your troop through the Bronze Award process. Earning the Bronze Award, Junior Girl Scouts see how rewarding it is to make the world a better place, right at home, in their community! Once girls earn their Bronze Award, they tend to go on and earn all of the three highest awards. Help your troop on this path by completing the online Bronze Award training. This training is designed for GS leaders and adults who will be guiding girls through earning their Bronze Award.

View our Bronze Award Training Video

Silver Award Training

Are you planning to earn the Silver Award? Take our online Silver Award training to learn the award guidelines and discover your inner leader. Complete this training to feel confident as you develop a true Take Action project, that will help your community for years to come! Leaders and adults are welcome to join in, so you are prepared to help Cadette Girl Scouts on their journey to the Silver Award. This training is designed for Girl Scouts who are seeking to earn their Silver Award, along with leaders and adults who will be guiding girls through the Silver Award process.

View our Silver Award Training Video

Gold Award Training

Highly recommended for Girl Scouts working toward the Gold Award and their champions. Those who attend a Gold Award Training will learn the award guidelines, what it means to do a Take Action project, important deadlines, the approval process, and what the Gold Award interview will be like.

View our Gold Award Training Video

View Go for the Gold - Tips from Gold Award Girl Scouts Video

Volunteer Connections Podcast toggle arrow

GSNC has launched it’s first-ever podcast! The Volunteer Connections podcast is for all Girl Scout volunteers at all levels of experience. Connect with us as we share Girl Scout planning resources, special Council opportunities, and more to make your Girl Scout experience the best it can be. Look for new episodes on the last Thursday of every month.

You can find the podcast on Spotify for Podcasters, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify!

Volunteer Connections

Volunteer Connections encompasses tons of resources for all GSNC adult volunteers! Access any of these resources when it fits your schedule.

Blog

Get the latest tips, news, trends, and happening for Girl Scout Volunteers.

Podcast

Listen as we share planning tips and resources to help make your Girl Scout experience awesome!