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Volunteer Training and Resources

Welcome, Girl Scout Volunteer! As a volunteer, you'll provide girls with a safe and encouraging environment that introduces them to new WOW-worthy experiences that show them they're capable of more than they ever imagined. Now that you have completed your Volunteer Application and your background check, it’s time to get started—so exciting!

Let’s take a moment to get inspired!  

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.

Leader Trainings

While completing your online volunteer registration, you will be prompted to watch the GSUSA "Welcome to Girl Scouts" video. Following the video, you will answer five questions and complete this part of the process. Girl Scouts of Nassau County will follow up with a congratulatory email which includes a link to the required “Getting Started with Your Troop.” This  training can also be taken in-person at one of our in-person “Getting Started with Your Troop” workshop.

Note: "Getting Started with your Troop" is a REQUIRED training.

Getting Started With Your Troop Training for Leaders
Getting Started With Your Troop is an excellent introduction to working with girls in a Troop. Some of the topics include; Troop dues, Tag–a-long insurance, uniform components, having your daughter in your Troop, planning a Girl Scout Troop meeting, plus so much more.

In-Person Option - There are no in-person Getting Started With Your Troop trainings scheduled at this time. Watch our programs/events calendar for future trainings.

Video Option - At the end of the training video, be sure to follow the link and complete the form to receive credit for taking the training. View the Getting Started with your Troop Training Video.

 

Getting Going Training for New Leaders (Optional)
 Getting Going is the follow up to the introductory training, Getting Started With Your Troop training for Leaders. This training contains a lot of information for you as a new leader such as a review of Girl Scout traditions, how to be ‘Girl-Led’, utilizing the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) and more.

View the Getting Going Training for New Girl Scout Leaders.

 

Getting Ready for Next Year Training: Live Webinar!
Getting Ready for Next Year is the final training in our 3 part new Troop Leader trainings. This webinar contains the information you need to feel prepared for your second year as a leader. Troop finances and hosting a parent/caregiver meeting are some topics that will be reviewed.

View our current Getting ready for Next Year Training Webinars.

 

GSUSA VTK How-to Videos
A four part video series about the Girl Scout Volunteer Toolkit for troop leaders.

Explore Tab Overview
Schedule Meeting Dates and Times
Customize Your Year Plan
Meeting Plan Overview

 

Other Leader Resources
The Volunteer Resource Center located in our Service Center at Girl Scouts of Nassau County is filled with books, browsing files, and program materials to help make your Troop meetings fun!

Once you have completed the online application process, you will receive an invitation to join the MYGS membership community and will have access to the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK). The VTK is a new digital planning tool that gives you resources and program content to get your year started—and keep it going smoothly! Fully customizable, the toolkit is digitally responsive so you can plan and prepare practically anywhere. With the new toolkit, girls and leaders can explore meeting topics and program activities together, and follow the fun as they plan their Girl Scout year. The VTK also will allow you to manage your Troop finances, access your girl and family roster and track you girls’ achievements and attendance. Learn how to navigate the VTK with these easy to follow demo videos.

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.

GSNC Volunteer Policies 

GSNC Policies, Standards & Guidelines

Blue Book of Basic Documents The 2017 edition of our 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

New Leader's Guide to Success

Girl Scout University

Connecting Troop Activities to the Leadership Outcomes

Conflict Management There are many decisions to make when leading a Troop of Girl Scouts. Conflict may arise between Troop Leaders, parents and other volunteers due to misunderstanding, perception and emotions. Please take a moment to watch this GSUSA video about Conflict Management. The video contains some very useful tools and tips to use if faced with conflict.

 

Highest Awards Trainings

Highest Awards Trainings
What does it take for your Girl Scout Troop to earn one of Girl Scouts Higher Awards? Come to these highly recommended workshops to learn award guidelines, participate in activities that help you understand the difference between Community Service and Take Action projects, and the role of the girl and your role as the Leader. GSNC wants you to feel empowered to help guide your girls in earning the higher awards! 

View our schedule for:

Bronze Award Trainings
Silver Award Trainings
Gold Award Trainings

 

Camp/Outdoor/Trip Trainings

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 Polices, Standards and Guidelines, budgeting, timing, transportation and other topics, so that the event is fun and safe for all. Please Note: TripTraining is a pre-requisite for Outdoor Camp Training.

View and register for one of our upcoming Trip Training Dates.

 

Outdoor Camp Training

Girl Scouts of Nassau County provides Outdoor Education 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. Under the guidance of trained and enthusiastic adults, girls may take their first hike, build their first campfire and sleep under the stars for the first time. Please Note: Trip Training is a pre requisite for Outdoor Camp Training

View and register for one of our upcoming Outdoor/Camp Training Dates.

 

Two ways to participate

Option 1:

Two evening sessions and one overnight at camp. You would need to register for: Trip Training (evening one), Overnight Pre-Plan (evening two) and the Mandatory Overnight. Individual classes must be taken in sequence.

Cost: Mandatory Overnight Training fee to cover the cost of food is $25 per adult.

Please Note: Daycare for your school-age children will be available space permitting during the Mandatory Overnight. All children attending will take part in a specially designed camp program during the day, while the adults participate in training. Parents and children will enjoy dinner, evening program and overnight accommodations together. Cost per child is $15.00 and it includes lunch and program fees.  

View Camp Training - Option 1 dates.  

Option 2:

All in One training (Friday through Sunday at Camp). Please note: this course will include Trip Training, Overnight Pre-Plan and Mandatory Overnight and has a fee of $30 per person to cover the cost of food. Daycare is NOT available during this weekend.

View and Register for All in One Training.

 

Camp Update

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

View the Outdoor Training Schedule at a Glance.

First Aid/CPR Trainings

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

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.

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 Volunteer 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

Short and Snappy Videos

Being a Girl Scout troop leader involves so many things from planning fun meetings, to teaching Girl Scout traditions, to managing finances. Below find some ‘Short and Snappy’ videos that will assist you with many different aspects of leading girls and mentoring the next generation of female leaders.

Building Sisterhood in Girl Scouts
Learn what a Sisterhood is, how you can facilitate it in your troop, and   understand how Sisterhood is for you too!

Establishing a Girl-Led Troop at the Daisy Level*
Learn what is ‘Girl-led’ and why it’s important, how to create a girl-led atmosphere and an example of Troop government at the Daisy level.

Establishing a Girl-Led Troop at the Brownie Level
Learn what is ‘Girl-led’ and why it’s important, how to create a girl-led atmosphere and an example of Troop government at the Brownie level.

Establishing a Girl-led Junior Troop
Learn what it means to be girl-led, how important it is, and some examples of troop government at the Junior level.

Hosting a Parent or Caregiver Meeting*
Through this video you will learn how to introduce parents/caregivers to Girl Scouts, how to build your village, and how to set expectations with the parents/caregivers. 

Parent/Caregiver Involvement in Your Girl Scout Troop*
Learn how to overcome common barriers to parent/caregiver involvement and techniques to lay the groundwork for parents/caregivers to become involved.

How to be a Great Troop Helper
This video will tell you how to be a great troop helper, how important  your help is to the troop, and how your assistance is needed and greatly appreciated.

Girl Scout Ceremonies*
This video details why Girl Scout ceremonies are important, the different types of GS ceremonies, and how to plan and carry out a ceremony with your troop.

Hosting a Bridging Ceremony
Learn what a Bridging Ceremony is, when it happens, different types of Bridging Ceremonies, and creative ideas for bridges.

Cooperative Learning
This video details what cooperative learning is, why it’s important, how to get started and cooperative learning strategies you can use in your troop.

Managing a Multi-Level Troop
Learn the advantages of a multi-level troop, how to make it work, how to ensure girls of all ages are getting the most out of the troop and using the Multi-Level version of the VTK.

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.

 

We are just starting to build this resource library for you, so please check back as new Short and Snappy videos will be added all the time.

If you have any questions, or want to see a ‘Short and Snappy’ that you don’t see here, please email us at training@gsnc.org.

 

*As suggested by Troop Leaders

How to Organize a Girl Scout Uniform*

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