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Volunteer Learning
As a Girl Scout Volunteer, you play an important role in preparing girls for a lifetime of leadership, success, and adventure. Whether you are a new leader, an experienced volunteer stepping into a new role, or an IRM caregiver, we are here to help ensure you feel confident and comfortable. Our trainings and tools are designed to help you create experiences your Girl Scouts will never forget.
Learn about training opportunities below and check out our events calendar to register for an upcoming session.
For information about compliance steps, including Background Checks and Livescan Fingerprints, click here.
Training for Troop Leadership
For Troop Leaders and Assistant Leaders 
These courses are required for troop leaders and assistant troop leaders. Good news: They can be completed mostly online! We’ll assign these to you in gsLearn, our online learning portal.
For more information on how to access gsLearn, click here.
Leadership Training:
Required Courses |
Format |
Length |
Action |
GSUSA New Leader Onboarding Series:
|
online |
2 hours |
|
GSUSA Girl Scouts Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Training** |
online |
50 min |
*Pick the “What Girl Scouts Do” training that best fits the age of the girls in your troop. For example, “What Daisy Girl Scouts Do” or “What Ambassador Girl Scouts Do.”
**For more information on Child Abuse Prevention/Mandated Reporter Requirements, click here.
First Aid/CPR/AED:
At least one troop volunteer must be trained in first aid/CPR/AED and be present at all troop meetings and activities. It is recommended that the Troop Leader and/or Assistant Troop Leader be certifieid in First Aid/CPR/AED, in addition to other adults in the troop, to satisfy this requirement.
Required Course |
Format |
Length |
Action |
First Aid/CPR/AED |
blended |
3 hours in-person |
First Aid/CRP/AED courses taught entirely online do not meet Girl Scout safety guidelines. See the First Aid/CPR section for more information.
Recommended Courses
Take your Girl Scout confidence to the next level! Check out the optional trainings below for more helpful knowledge”Full paragraph should read: Take your Girl Scout confidence to the next level! Check our the optional trainings below for more helpful knowledge:
Recommended Courses |
Format |
Length |
Action |
GSUSA Volunteer Toolkit- Troop Leader View |
online |
15 min |
Find these courses in the gsLearn Content Library. Learn how or log in. |
| GSUSA Mental Wellness 101 | online | 40 min | Find these courses in the gsLearn Content Library. Learn how or log in. |
Need help with training? Contact customercare@sdgirlscouts.org.
Can’t complete the training in one sitting? It’s ok! You can return to gsLearn anytime to complete a course or browse other training options.
For Troop Treasurers
Finance Training:
These courses are required for Troop Treasurers and can be completed mostly online! These courses are available in gsLearn, our online learning portal.
Required Course |
Format |
Length |
Action |
GSUSA New Leader Onboarding: Funding the Fun- Managing Troop Finances |
online |
20 min |
Find these courses in the gsLearn Content Library. Learn how or Log In. |
First Aid/CPR/AED:
At least one troop volunteer must be trained in first aid/CPR/AED and be present at all troop meetings and activities. It is recommended that the Troop Treasurer, Troop Leader and/or Assistant Leader, be certified in First Aid/CPR/AED, in addition to other adults in the troop, to satisfy this requirement.
Required Course |
Format |
Length |
Action |
First Aid/CPR/AED |
blended |
3 hours online / 3 hours in-person |
|
in-person |
5.5 hours |
First Aid/CRP/AED courses taught entirely online do not meet Girl Scout safety guidelines. Learn more about first aid options.
Child Abuse Prevention Training (Mandated Reporter):
Adults who spend 16 hours a month or 32 hours a year in direct contact with and/or supervising youth must comply with California Assembly Bill 506. To learn about the full requirements for compliance including Livescan Fingerprints, click here.
Required Course |
Format |
Length |
Action |
GSUSA Girl Scouts Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Training |
online |
50 min |
Find these courses in the gsLearn Content Library. Learn how or Log In. |
Recommended Courses
Take your Girl Scout confidence to the next level! Check out the optional trainings below for more helpful knowledge:
Courses |
Format |
Length |
Action |
GSUSA Volunteer Toolkit - Troop Finance View |
online |
15 min |
Find these courses in the gsLearn Content Library. Learn how or Log In. |
GSUSA Generating Troop Funds |
online |
15 min |
Find these courses in the gsLearn Content Library. Learn how or Log In. |
623 Finances for Older Girls |
online |
10 min |
Find these courses in the gsLearn Content Library. Learn how or Log In. |
Have questions? Contact customercare@sdgirlscouts.org.
For Independently Registered Member (IRM) Caregivers
All adults with an active membership have access to gsLearn, our online learning portal. Learn about Girl Scouts on demand in a time and place that is convenient to you. Check out the quick video to learn how to log in and get started.
Recommended Courses
You’re welcome to watch any training, but check out the optional trainings below as a helpful starting point:
Courses |
Format |
Length |
Action |
GSUSA Volunteer Toolkit- Individual Registered Girl (IRG) Caregiver View |
online |
15 min |
Find these courses in the gsLearn Content Library. Learn how or Log In. |
623 Where to Place Badges, Patches and Insignia |
online |
5 min
|
|
GSUSA New Leader Onboarding: What Girl Scouts Do* *Pick the age level that best matches the age of your girl, for example Brownies or Cadettes. |
online | 10 min | Find these courses in the gsLearn Content Library. Learn how or Log In. |
Safety/First Aid/CPR Training
Mandated Reporter/Child Abuse Prevention
California Assembly Bill 506 requires youth serving organizations to develop and implement child abuse prevention policies, including background checks and Mandated Reporter (Child Abuse Prevention) training.
As a result, all volunteers in leadership roles (troop leaders, troop assistant leaders) and those who work directly with girls for 16 hours a month or 32 hours per year are considered “Mandated Reporters” and must take mandated reporter (a.k.a. child abuse prevention) training.
To learn about the full requirements for compliance with AB506, including Livescan Fingerprints, click here.
Training Requirements:
Volunteers must complete Mandated Reporter training using one of the following methods:
- Option 1: Complete the GSUSA Girl Scouts Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Training* in gsLearn (approximately 50 minutes)
- Option 2: Upload a valid Mandated Reporter certificate to gsLearn.
To upload a certificate for review, access gsLearn and navigate to the Content Library. Use the search term “upload” to find the course titled “623 Mandated Reporter Certificate (upload)”. Follow the steps in the course to upload your certificate. Certificates must indicate training completion within the last 18 months.
*Necesitas espanol? GSUSA El Curso de Prevención del Abuso y Negligencia Infantil de Girl Scouts is available in gsLearn.
Contact customercare@sdgirlscouts.org for assistance.
First Aid/CPR/AED
A volunteer trained in CPR/First Aid/AED must be present at all troop meetings and outings. This “first aider” may be the leader, co-leader, or another troop volunteer.
Register for a Girl Scouts San Diego first aid course or take a course taught by:
- American Red Cross
- American Heart Association
- American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI)
- National Safety Council
Please be aware: First aid courses that are entirely online do not meet Girl Scout safety standards.
Blended or hybrid courses that are part online and part in-person and include hands on practice and feedback from a certified trainer, are allowed. For questions about CPR/First Aid/AED certifications, contact customercare@sdgirlscouts.org.
Upload Your First Aid Certification
CPR/First Aid/AED certifications must be uploaded to gsLearn to be added to your volunteer training record.
To upload your certification:
Login to MyGS, then click on gsLearn from the menu on the left hand side.
Once in gsLearn, select the Content Library
Search using the keyword “upload” to find the course titled “623 First Aid Certificate (upload)”
Follow the instructions in the course to upload your CPR/First Aid/AED certificate
Wilderness First Aid
If any part of a troop activity is more than 30 minutes away from emergency medical services, the troop first aider must have a certification in Wilderness First Aid.
Register for Wilderness First Aid with Girl Scouts San Diego.
Questions? Contact customercare@sdgirlscouts.org.
Outdoor Training
Outdoor Training (Overnights and Camping)
Take your girls outside! Our outdoor training prepares you to introduce girls to the great outdoors in progressive steps from a local overnight to rustic camping. Not sure what course you need? See the Outdoor Progression Chart to learn more. Classes must be taken in order.
If you have a strong background in camping with groups, extensive Girl Scout camping experience, or camping experience with comparable youth organizations, you may be able to test-out of some of the courses in the outdoor training series. Learn more.
Basic Overnights (45 min, online course) To take this course: Log in to My GS with your Girl Scout email and password. Select gsLearn and then the Content Library (on left). Search on “Basic Overnights.”
|
Let's Camp (2.5 hour, in-person course)
|
Let's Have a Campfire (3 hour, in-person course)
|
Let's Cook Out! (7 hour, in-person course)
|
Let's Tent (overnight, in-person course)
|
Backpack Training Program
The Backpacking Training Program offers great new outdoor adventures for girls and adults! Designed for individuals, our three-step wilderness progression safely takes girls and adults out of the campground and into the woods.
Wilderness Hiking, the first in the outdoor backpacking progression, this one-day training teaches adults and girls (sixth grade and up) the essential skills and knowledge necessary for exciting wilderness exploration. The course covers safety, proper gear and equipment, the Leave No Trace ethic, building independence in girls, and laying a strong foundation for more extraordinary adventures, such as backpacking. The class fee includes course materials and a "Ten Essentials" starter kit. Register for Wilderness Hiking.
Basic Backpacking teaches everything adults and girls (seventh grade and up) need to know to begin a true, multi-night wilderness adventure. Hikers gain the knowledge and skills they need to make important decisions about gear, clothing, and trip planning so that they can hit the trail feeling confident and self-sufficient. Training includes classroom instruction, group day hike, and backpacking trip. Prerequisite: Wilderness Hiking. Register for Basic Backpacking.
Advanced Backpacking Trips safely takes girls and adults on unforgettable wilderness adventures where they'll enjoy the majesty of nature along with the camaraderie of fellow backpacking enthusiasts all while building higher level skills. Prerequisites: Wilderness Hiking and Basic Backpacking. Register for Advanced Backpacking Trips.
Questions? Contact customercare@sdgirlscouts.org.
Archery Instructor Training
Meet the safety-wise standard for Archery Instructor Certification. Leaders, assistant leaders, and interested adults (18 years and older) are welcome. Archery instructors can lead archery for their troop, a camporee, and/or assist in leading an archery workshop. Certification is valid for three years. Already certified Level 1 Archery Instructors can contact USA Archery directly about recertification or attend one of our regular trainings. Register for Archery Instructor Training.
Event and Camporee Director Training
Take this training if you are planning a large event (50+) or a Camporee (3+ troops). It’s required for event and camporee directors and recommended for anyone who is part of the planning team. Prerequisites: Getting Started with Your Troop. Duration: 20 minutes.
To take this course: Log in to My GS with your Girl Scout email and password. Select gsLearn and then the Content Library (on left). Search on “Camporee.”
Online Training (gsLearn)
Online training is an easy, convenient way to learn about Girl Scouts. It’s available for any member or volunteer.
About gsLearn/Logging In
All adult volunteers can access online training in gsLearn. You’ll find gsLearn in the My GS portal at sdgirlscouts.org. Your membership must be current and you can’t have chosen to opt out of email. If you need assistance updating membership or email options, contact customercare@sdgirlscouts.org.
gsLearn Course Catalog
Many of Girl Scouts San Diego’s courses are offered online. See a partial list below. To find these and more, log in to gsLearn and select the Content Library option on the left. Use the search field in the library to search on a course title. Or, search on a program level, like “Daisies” to see program-level courses. Or search “outdoor” to view courses you can complete to take girls on an outdoor adventure. Use the scroll bar to view all courses in the Content Library.
Want to see all you’ve learned? Select the Achievements tab in gsLearn to view the online courses you’ve completed. Don’t forget your Trained to Lead charms!
Alternate Certificate Upload
Do you have a certification from another organization that you’d like us to recognize (i.e. first aid or aquatic instructor certification, etc.)? Use this upload feature and we’ll check it out and include it in your training record.
Basic Overnights
This first course in the outdoor training series helps you prepare for overnights in the neighborhood, simple encampments, and Adventure Weekends. This course is required before a first overnight. Length: 40 minutes.
Blasting into Brownies
Ready to blast into Brownies? In this course, learn how you can support girls in their Brownie years as they change and grow. We'll show you what the Girl Scout Leadership Experience looks like for Brownies and help you define your role. We'll provide lots of tips for giving Brownies the structure they need and share all the things Brownies can do. It's going to be a great year! This training benefits troop leaders, IRM parents, and adult volunteers. Length: 55 minutes.
Bronze Award Online Training
Help your Girl Scout Juniors achieve the Bronze Award! This training covers Bronze Award essentials like award steps and requirements. You’ll learn the difference between a community service project and a Take Action project, plus lots of tips for Bronze Award success. Visit our Bronze Award page for more resources. For troop leaders, adult volunteers, project advisors, and IRM caregivers. Length: 30 minutes.
Cadette Learning Path
Are your Juniors getting ready to bridge? Or, do you already have a Cadette troop? This learning path is for you! Learn what's different about your role and about girls who are entering their teen years. Take away essential tips you can use to support girls and make the Cadette years flexible, valuable, and fun! For troop leaders, adult volunteers, and parents. Courses include: Cruising into Cadettes (40 minutes); Finances for Older Girls (8 minutes); Being Teen Savvy (5 minutes); Silver Award Training (20 minutes).
Ceremonies in Girl Scouting
Learn about traditional Girl Scout ceremonies like investiture, bridging, the flag ceremony, Girl Scouts’ Own, and more. Self-paced.
Conflict Resolution and Prevention
Learn what causes conflict and tips for resolving it. Plus, find out how to manage troop conflict and how to get help when you need it. Length: 20 minutes.
Day Camp Volunteer Orientation
Day camp volunteers take this training to learn about our day camps including traditions, volunteer roles, safety, and what to expect when volunteering. Length: 15 minutes.
Diving into Daisies
Take this course to learn what Girl Scouting looks like for our youngest members. Learn what Daisies can do, what “girl led” looks like for Daisies, how to manage Daisy behavior, tips from our veteran leaders, and more. For Daisy troop leaders, adult volunteers, and IRM caregivers. Length: 25 minutes.
Gold Award Online Training
Learn Gold Award basics! Jump start your brain so your passions, interests, and ideas begin forming before submitting a Gold Award proposal. Open to girls, parents, project advisors, and leaders. This course is required for girls who want to earn the Gold Award. By signing in, girls certify that they are at least 13 years old. Visit our Gold Award page for more resources. Length: 30 minutes.
How to Build Peace via World Thinking Day
Get a fresh look at World Thinking Day (WTD) with Global Action Volunteer Deb Lechner and Girl Scouts San Diego staff in this recorded webinar. You'll discover new ways to present a WTD event for your troop, service unit, or community, using the 2021 theme: Peacebuilding. World Thinking Day is traditionally held each Feb. 22, but the impactful activities can be experienced any time. Special patches and badges are available, but the best reward is building harmony! Suitable for adults of Daisies-Ambassadors. Length 1.25 hours.
Jumping into Juniors
Get ready for Girl Scout Juniors! Learn how fourth and fifth-grade girls develop intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically and how your role will change to meet Juniors' needs. Take away essential tips you can use to ensure that girl engagement is high and that troop activities are girl-led. Plus, learn about the opportunities that await Juniors including awards, travel, camping, and more. For troop leaders, adult volunteers, and parents. Length: 45 minutes.
Large Event and Encampment Director Training
Learn how to plan and run a successful event or encampment from start to finish. Required for event or encampment directors. Length: 20 minutes.
Let’s Camp
You’ll discover how to choose and reserve property, manage the safety of your troop, involve girls in no-cook meal preparation, and pick up some techniques for outdoor program delivery. You'll be qualified to take your girls cabin camping at our mountain properties and at private and public cabins. In normal times, this is an in-person class, so this webinar is posted to help fill an interim need to remain in a safe space. Length: 2.5 hours.
Outdoor Challenge
Do you have a strong background in camping with groups, extensive Girl Scout camping experience, or camping experience with comparable youth organizations, you may be able to test-out of some of the courses in the outdoor training series. Learn more.
Senior/Ambassador Roundtable
Network with other leaders to learn tips for engaging older girls during this busy and critical life stage. Usually, this is an in-person class, so this webinar recording provides an opportunity to experience this class from home. Length: one hour.
Silver Award Online Training
Help your Girl Scout Cadettes achieve the Silver Award! This training covers Silver Award essentials like award steps and requirements. You’ll learn the difference between a community service project and a Take Action project, plus lots of tips for Silver Award success. Visit our Silver Award page for more resources. For troop leaders, adult volunteers, project advisors, and IRM caregivers. Length: 30 minutes.
Tips and Tools for Busy Troop Leaders
Learn tips and tricks for running your Girl Scout meetings and learn about resources to help you manage your troop and mediate conflict. Self-paced.
Troop Treasurer Training
Volunteers in the troop treasurer role take this required training to learn about troop finances and best practices for managing and reporting troop funds. Length: 10 minutes.
Water Safety Tips for Girl Scout Troops
Cover basic water safety information from the American Red Cross, then review Girl Scout standards for swimming and other aquatic activities. Length: 60 minutes.
Where to Place Badges, Patches, and Insignia
This cute, girl-led video takes the guess-work out of placing badges, patches, and insignia on Girl Scout uniforms. Length: 3 minutes.
Technical Help
| If this is your problem... | Give this a try… |
| I can't access gsLearn | If you receive an “access denied” error message, log out of My GS, clear your browser cache/history and accept cookies in your browser settings. Log back in the My GS and refresh your screen, if needed. If your membership isn't current, contact customercare@sdgirlscouts.org for assistance. If you are a Senior or Ambassador Girl Scout who wants to take Gold Award training, complete a training request. |
| I don't see any training when I log into gsLearn | Training may take up to 30 minutes to appear in gsLearn when you log in for the first time. During this time, gsLearn is conducting a “sweep” of all new accounts and placing your learning account in the correct Girl Scout council. Refresh your screen after 30 minutes. Contact training@sdgirlscouts.org if you need assistance. |
| I'm using a phone and don't see any training when I log in. | Be sure to position your phone in landscape view so that you can see and select the gsLearn Course Library to locate training. |
I'm having technical difficulties:
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Try clearing your browsing history and accepting cookies:
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| I'm having audio problems on a phone. | Turn your phone off and then back on. Log back in to gsLearn through the My GS portal at sdgirlscouts.org. |
| I’m watching a course but can’t progress to the next module. | Contact training@sdgirlscouts.org for assistance. We will manually adjust the training so that you can continue. |
| I’ve completed a course, but my training record only shows a partial completion. | Contact training@sdgirlscouts.org for assistance. |
Still need help? Contact training@sdgirlscouts.org for assistance.
Highest Award Training
Bronze Award
Help your Girl Scout Juniors achieve the Bronze Award! This training covers Bronze Award essentials like award steps and requirements. You’ll learn the difference between a community service project and a Take Action project, plus lots of tips for Bronze Award success. Visit our Bronze Award page for more resources. For troop leaders, adult volunteers, project advisors, and IRM caregivers. Length: 30 minutes.
Silver Award
Help your Girl Scout Cadettes achieve the Silver Award! This training covers Silver Award essentials like award steps and requirements. You’ll learn the difference between a community service project and a Take Action project, plus lots of tips for Silver Award success. Visit our Silver Award page for more resources. For troop leaders, adult volunteers, project advisors, and IRM caregivers. Length: 30 minutes.
Gold Award
This required training helps Senior and Ambassador girls learn Gold Award basics. Learn what makes a good Gold Award project, about project requirements, who can help, and how to use GoGold--it's the platform you'll use to submit your project proposal and track your progress. Be sure to visit sdgirlscouts.org/gold for Your Guide to Going Gold. Along with this training, it’s a resource that’s essential to success.
To take this course:
- Senior/Ambassador Girls: Request training. You’ll receive an invite to log in to gsLearn in your inbox. Don’t see it? Check your spam folder. Then, contact training@sdgirlscouts.org for assistance. Each girl must complete her own training.
- Adults: log in to My GS with your Girl Scout email and password. Select gsLearn and then the Content Library (on left). Search on “Gold” or “Senior” or “Ambassador.”
Tips and Travel Training
Troop Tripping
Troop Tripping is required for leaders whose troops are planning trips out of state, trips involving air travel, or trips lasting 3 or more nights. This workshop addresses group and safety management, paperwork requirements, money-earning tips, planning timelines, and keys to managing girl and parent expectations. Take this course at least 6-9 months before your trip. Register for Troop Tripping.
Destinations Expo
Global adventures await! Meet world travelers from Girl Scouts San Diego and learn about travel opportunities. At this free open house, you’ll hear from past Destinations participants and about the application process, financial assistance, and what to expect. Girls, troop leaders, adult volunteers and families welcome. Visit Girl Scouts USA travel website to view destination options and to apply. Trips for the upcoming year will be posted mid-to end of August. For more information, contact: customercare@sdgirlscouts.org. Register for the Destinations Expo.
Training Resources
Volunteer Essentials
You can learn lots online and by attending in-person courses, but Volunteer Essentials is often the perfect resource when you have a quick question, aren’t sure about Girl Scout lingo, or need the reassurance of following a “how to.” It’s updated each year, so refer back often–especially where safety is concerned.
Request a Training
Want to take training right in your neighborhood? We can bring most of our classes to you! (Though we are unable to accommodate outdoor classes other than Let's Camp).
To get started:
- Check out the Events page to make sure there isn’t a class already scheduled for the same region at the same time that you are requesting.
- Have three dates (at least 30 days in the future) ready to suggest for your Special Request Training. This gives us time to find a trainer and get registration ready.
- Identify a potential location name and address for your class (but don't book the space until you hear back from us).
- Line up a minimum of 10 students for all classes except First Aid. First Aid classes have a strict 10:1 student to teacher ratio, so classes can have 7-10 students with one instructor or 16-20 students with two instructors. In all cases, we reserve the right to open the class up to other members in the council to make sure we're using resources wisely.
- Enter your information on our request form.
- The Adult Learning team will follow up once you request the class to confirm a date and provide information on getting your group registered.
Questions? Contact training@sdgirlscouts.org.
Financial Aid for Training
Financial aid to cover the cost of training is available to volunteers who are registered members. Select the financial aid option when registering for a course at on our events page. Contact training@sdgirlscouts.org with questions. Troop funds may also be used to cover training costs.
Be a Trainer
Are you passionate about the outdoors or leadership development? Do you have tips and tricks from years of Girl Scouting that you would like to share with other leaders? If this sounds like you—and you’re ready for a new challenge with Girl Scouts—consider becoming a trainer. Trainers collaborate with staff and other trainers to deliver trainings that support the next generation of leaders and adult volunteers who help to build girls of courage, confidence, and character. Fill out this quick form or email training@sdgirlscouts.org for more information.
