Adventure Ahead

Thank you and welcome, we're glad you're here!

Here you will find resources for all things Girl Scouts! We recommend you start by browsing the sections below and come back throughout the year to find answers to your questions as they arise. Ready to get started? Let’s go!

Download Volunteer Essentials

Troop Management

How to get started with your troop.

Troop Finances

Learn money-earning basics.

Troop Engagement

Connect with Girl Scouts and get their families involved with your troop.

Creating a Safe Space

Keep Girl Scouts safe in every activity with these guidelines.

Product Program

Guide Girl Scouts as they learn to think like entrepreneurs and develop business smarts.

Volunteer Appreciation

Volunteers make a difference. Say thank you and celebrate accomplishments with volunteer awards.

Helpful References

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Change/Request Troop Bank Account: complete this form when opening a troop bank account or if you change financial institutions.
Managing Troop Finances: utilize this resource to manage your troop's bank account. Complete this worksheet to set your troop budget and reference a sample troop budget spreadsheet.
GSEIWI Money Earning Request: if a troop needs additional funds beyond what is earned in the Fall Product and Cookie Programs, new fundraising efforts must be approved by council staff. Girl Scouts fundraising to achieve the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award should also complete this form.

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New Leader's Guide to Success: everything a first-time troop leader needs to know to get their troop up-and-running.
Parent Meeting Agenda: a helpful outline for your first parent meeting of the year.
Girl and Adult Health History Forms: have each child and adult troop member complete this form and have the forms available at each troop meeting or activity if there is an emergency.
Parental Permission for Activities: use this permission form template for events and activities. You only need to have this completed once and can be used for low risk events.
Ways to Help the Troop: have family members fill out this form to let you know how they can be involved in supporting the troop this year.
Troop Information Update Form

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Make sure a general First Aid kit is available at your meeting place and accompanies girls on any activity. First Aid kit and emergency contact information for troop members should be with you at all times during troop activities. We recommend that each troop has at least one CPR/First Aid/AED certified adult. Visit our events page to find an upcoming CPR/First Aid/AED training in your area.

All troops are required to have at least two unrelated and approved volunteers present at all times. Any adult that is supervising girls must be an approved volunteer and be at least 18 years old. One Troop Leader in every group must be female.

Volunteer-to-girl ratios show the minimum number of volunteers needed to supervise a specific number of girls. These supervision ratios were devised to ensure the safety and health of girls. Please refer to the ratio chart below.

Safety Activity Checkpoints: provides great information when planning activities for girls. This resource will let you know what activities are approved and tips for keeping girls safe.
Outdoor Progression Chart: this chart will help you determine what outdoor activities are suitable for the age level of your troop.
Emergency Support: call 800-798-0833 during business hours or call 563-328-4718 after business hours to report an emergency. In the event a medical emergency, provide care for the injured person, obtain medical assistance if necessary, then notify council staff. Refer any media to council staff.
Accident Report Form: report accidents, injuries, and illnesses which occur at a Girl Scout sponsored activity to council staff.

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Through the travel progression, Girl Scouts build skills to become lifelong travelers and global citizens. Girl Scouts take the lead in planning a new adventure at every level.
Overnight Training: all troop leaders are required to complete overnight troop readiness training found online in gsLearn.
Field Trip & Travel Approval: all Girl Scout sponsored field trips and overnights need to be approved by council staff.
Troop Travel Resource Guide: utilize this guide as a resource to plan an overnight trip with your troop.
Extended Travel Guide: utilize this guide as a resource to plan longer trip nationally or internationally.

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We're sorry to see you go! Please fill out the Disbanded Troop/Group Record Form.

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myGS: Get the must-have tools, like gsLearn and the Volunteer Toolkit, to keep your troop going strong via MyGS —always accessible via the icon on the upper right corner of our website.
The Volunteer Toolkit: 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. It’s the digital planning assistant that will help you power a fun-filled—and organized—Girl Scout year. 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.
gsLearn: Find essential volunteer training and courses from your council, like how to lead activities the Girl Scout way, safety procedures, and advice for guiding Girl Scouts at every grade level. You’ll find gsLearn via the left menu bar of MyGS in My Account. It’s accessible on any desktop, tablet, or mobile device, and it will be populated with any trainings you should view.
Safety Activity Checkpoints: provides great information when planning activities for girls. This resource will let you know what activities are approved and tips for keeping girls safe.
Travel with Girl Scouts: From field trips in elementary school to global adventures as teens, Girl Scouts are traveling near and far. If your troop is planning a trip, make sure you are ready to go.
Cheddar Up: Collect registrations and payments for troop events using Cheddar Up. Create an account and find other learning sessions and resources.

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Check out the New Leader’s Guide to Success

This resource will help define your role, show how to get your families involved, and give you the tools you need to lead a successful troop.

READ THE GUIDE

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