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TRAINING

Girl Scout Volunteers learn and grow, too! We are committed to giving you the tools you need to succeed in your volunteer position! Whether you prefer online or in-person training, we have a variety of opportunities for you to grow in your leadership journey at your own pace! 

gsLearn a mobile-friendly, learning platform for all adult Girl Scout members (current Girl Scout membership required).

Access gsLearn by logging in at www.gsdsw.org/MyGS. 

OUR LATEST TRAININGS

Troop Leader Academy

TROOP LEADER ACADEMY

Come explore more about Girl Scout Leadership. In this four-part series you will learn the fundamentals, six parts of a troop meeting,  ceremonies and traditions, and how to engage your families to have the best troop experience. 

Attend all meetings and receive a special surprise from the Engagement Team. 

Fundamentals - Jun 6, 2023 06:00 PM MDT

The six parts of a troop meeting - Jun 20, 2023 06:00 PM MDT

Ceremonies and Traditions  - Jul 18, 2023 06:00 PM MDT

Family Engagement - Aug 1, 2023 06:00 PM MDT

Tell Me About...

This free, virtual series is an fun and informative way to learn about Girl Scout programming.
Each part highlights a different topic to make your life as a troop leader or Girl Scout parent/guardian a little easier.
Attend one, a couple, or all five!

 

Part 1 - Badges & Patches, May 11, 2023 - NO LONGER AVAILABLE
We explain the difference between a badge and a patch, where all the insignia goes on a vest/sash, WAGGS pins, bridging and wings, and more!

Part 2 - Journeys, June 8, 2023

(registration deadline June 5, 2023 at 5:00 PM MDT)

What is this three badge award, how to lead them, how to earn them, and how Cadettes can earn their LiA.

Part 3 - Take Action vs Service Project, July 6, 2023 

(registration deadline July 3, 2023 at 5:00 PM MDT)

Take Action projects are at the heart of all Journeys, but they’re different from the community service projects that Girl Scouts may have done—and you’ll want to understand those differences before planning a Take Action project.

Part 4 - Highest Awards, August 10, 2023

(registration deadline August 7, 2023 at 5:00 PM MDT)

Don't let the name intimidate you. These awards (Bronze, Silver, Gold) are the highest award a Junior, Cadette, and Senior/Ambassador can earn. There are a lot of questions about them and we have the answers!

Part 5 - Adult Awards, September 14, 2023

(registration deadline September 11, 2023 at 5:00 PM MDT)

As a volunteer, you do it all and we want you to be recognized. From Cookie Champion to the Go-Getter Award and the Appreciation Pin to the Thanks Badge we will familiarize you with the award requirements, how to nominate someone, and more.

REQUIRED TRAININGS

Must be renewed every three years with the exception of First Aid & CPR Certification which is renewed every two years.

Successful Leader Learning Series (gsLearn)

The "Successful Leader Learning Series" is an online interactive set of modules designed specifically for all new troop leaders. 

Troop Leaders must complete this training before their first troop meeting. 

Access the "Successful Leader Learning Series" by logging into your MYGS Community through www.gsdsw.org/MyGS. 

  • gsLearn is now available for all registered members.
  • Must be registered for the current Girl Scout membership year to access gsLearn.
  • Each module in the "Successful Leader Learning Series" is about 30 minutes long and may be paused and resumed at your convenience.
  • The modules included are "The Girl Scout Way", "The Girl Scout Leadership Experience", "Well-being & Development", "Understanding Troop Operations", and "Getting Your Troop Outdoors".

Click here to view our Leader Guide to Success.

Questions? Contact info@gsdsw.org

Grade Level Training (gsLearn)

Do a deep dive into the specifics of the Girl Scout grade level you are leading. This session usually takes 25-45 minutes to complete. Log into gsLearn by accessingyour MYGS Community through www.gsdsw.org/MyGS. 

Grade Level Training must be completed within 30 days of being a troop leader.

Here is some of what you will learn in Grade Level Training

  • The basics of how to lead your specific grade-level group.
    • Daisies: Kinder - 1st grades
    • Brownies: 2nd - 3rd grades
    • Juniors: 4th - 5th grades
    • Cadettes: 6th - 8th grades
    • Seniors: 9th - 10th grades 
    • Ambassadors: 11th - 12th grades
  • Resources available for you as a volunteer leading them.
  • Connect with the characteristics that girls in this level exhibit and how to best work with them.
  • Take action by going through scenarios on how to ensure your troop is girl-led.
Troop Money Basics

COMING SOON!

Learn about how to start, change, close your Girl Scout bank account, financial troop managment and annual troop finanical reports in this training. 

Required for any volunteer who is plans to handle troop or service unit money.  Must be taken within 90 days of taking on that role. 

Access the "Troop Money Basics" by logging into your MYGS community through www.gsdsw.org/MyGS. 

Basic Troop Trips (gsLearn)

Prepare yourself and your Girl Scout troop to go beyond your regular meeting space including short day trips, overnight trips of up to two nights away.  This FREE training is approximately 45 minutes long and available online.  

Log into gsLearn by accessing your MYGS Community at  www.gsdsw.org/MyGS. 

You must complete the Knowledge Check to receive credit.

Extended Troop Trips (gsLearn)

Required for troops going on trips three nights or longer in duration. This session is about 45 minutes long and available online.  

Log into gsLearn by accessing your MYGS Community at  www.gsdsw.org/MyGS. 

You must complete the Knowledge Check to receive credit.

Outdoor Training (in-person)

Required for all troops going camping.  This in person training is a full eight (8) hour day.  Price per person is $40.  Please refer to our online event calendar for a session near you.

Click here for more resources on the outdoor experience for Girl Scouts (optional).  

First Aid & CPR Certification (in-person)

Troops are required to have at least one First Aid & CPR certified volunteer present at any and all troop trips. Certifications must be offered by chapters of the American Red Cross, National Safety Council, EMP America, American Heart Association, or EMS Safety. Council will regularly offer these trainings for your convenience. Please refer to the online event calendar for future listings near you. 

MORE LEARNING (OPTIONAL)

Tips for Troop Leaders
Raising Awesome Girls

Raising girls to be happy, healthy, and successful is simpler than ever with help from Girl Scouts. As the largest leadership development organization for girls in the United States, we're proud to be a thought leader for all parents raising up the next generation of girls and young women. From knowing how much to help with her homework to navigating sensitive issues in the news with your family, we've got everything you need to raise girls with confidence.

Click here to access a library of topics on Raising Awesome Girls. 

Outdoors

Now it’s even easier for Girl Scout volunteers to introduce girls to the wonders of the outdoors. Whether you’re a camping pro, or just starting out, you can help girls of all ages have a positive experience in the great outdoors.

Click here for Outdoor Resources including videos.

 

Event Planning

Whether planning a troop or service unit event, there are details involved. To make it easier for our volunteers, Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest has created the following resources.

Event Planning Guide

Style Guide for Volunteers

Sample Event Budget

Sample Event Flyer

Sample Event Evaluation

VIDEO tutorial explaining the Event Planning Guide

 

Online Workshops for Learning (O.W.L's)

About once a month, Girl Scouts of the Desert Southwest, hosts an online webinar for learning on a different topic.  All the recordings are then uploaded to our council youtube account. For future O.W.L.'s please refer to our  online event calendar .

Click here to access our list of recorded O.W.L.'s.

For Service Units

All trainings for service unit positions and position descriptions may be found on gsLearn which is available to all adult Girl Scout members with current membership.

Mission Connections is a webinar series provided by GSUSA for volunteers who support other volunteers with the goal to connect with our lead volunteers across the Girl Scout Movement to enhance our ability to deliver the best female leadership development program in the world. 

 

Questions?  Contact info@gsdsw.org

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