Support makes all the difference

We can’t change the lives of Girl Scouts without YOU!

To help you succeed, we've got in-depth training to make the Girl Scout experience safe and fun. Below, we've broken down trainings by volunteer role to make it as easy as possible to figure out what trainings you need (and when) for any volunteer role. Additionally, you can explore our digital pamphlet that provides an overview of all volunteer roles and their corresponding training requirements.

* All of the following volunteer roles are designated “approved.” Approved volunteers are registered Girl Scout members who have successfully cleared GSGLA’s background screening process and completed position-related training. Troop leaders and other adults that will be working directly with Girl Scouts must be an approved volunteer.

Being an approved volunteer means:

They are at least 18 years old
Are a registered Girl Scout adult
Have completed a background screening (or LiveScan fingerprinting, if required)
Have completed all required position-related training, including the mandated reporter training

Mandated Reporter Training & LiveScan Fingerprinting toggle arrow

Effective January 1, 2022, GSGLA must add mandated reporter training and fingerprinting background checks (LiveScan) to our already robust protocols for our volunteers. Those who need to add the training/LiveScan are volunteers with direct contact or supervision of children for more than 16 hours a month, or 32+ hours a year.

Volunteers with specific roles, and those wanting to participate in specific activities, must fulfill these requirements or they will be prohibited from the role and/or participation if not met.

At this time, volunteers with these roles must complete Mandated Reporter training and Live Scan Fingerprinting within 90 days of beginning their new role:

Troop leader (and co-leader)
Troop chaperone
Service Unit Manager (SUM)

For all roles other than those listed in the first section:

If volunteer hours of direct contact or supervision of children comprise of less than 16 hours a month, or 32+ hours a year, only our standard background screening (Asurint) is required.
If volunteer hours of direct contact or supervision of children comprise of more than 16 hours a month, or 32+ hours a year, Mandated Reporter Training and LiveScan fingerprinting is required.

LiveScan Fingerprinting

Access LiveScan

Mandated Reporter Training

Mandated Reporter Training is now available through gsLearn. All volunteers who must complete this requirement must complete one of the following. To complete, access gsLearn through MyGS.

611 Girl Scouts Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, GSGLA's version of the Mandated Reporter Training (MRT). Completing this training is required by the California Department of Social Services for any adult in direct contact with children. Certification is valid for 2 years.
611 Mandated Reporter Training - External Credentials Upload, If you have an external MRT certificate, upload it using this course linked in the Learning Path. GSGLA will honor completed Mandated Reporter Training that meets the California state requirements.

All volunteers must complete these requirements within 90 days of beginning their new role. For detailed instructions, please see the Accessing gsLearn Mandated Reporter Training document.

Troop Leader/Co-Leader toggle arrow

Troop Leaders help develop leadership qualities in girls by implementing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Volunteers in this role will facilitate meetings and events in a girl-led environment, maintain accurate troop records, and ensure effective communications between the troop and parents. Troop Leaders must complete the following training within 3 months of appointment:

1. To get started as a new leader take New Leader Orientation. Contact your membership specialist to set up this informational session.

2. 611 Troop Leader Onboarding is a fun and informational online training with topics such as starting your troop, permissions, finances, and more. To complete, access gsLearn through MyGS.

3. 611 Grade Level Learning Path(s) are available for each Girl Scout level and cover topics from Journeys to Badges, to Essentials, and more. To complete, access gsLearn through your MyGS.

4. Mandated Reporter Training

Complete Mandated Reporter Training or upload an external certification through gsLearn. Training must be completed every two years. For detailed instructions, please see the Accessing gsLearn Mandated Reporter Training document.

Troop First Aider toggle arrow

Make sure at least one adult who is certified in first aid/CPR accompanies the troop/group to all activities. First Aiders must be currently certified in first aid, CPR, and AED (or a doctor, nurse, paramedic, first responder, etc.) Troop First Aiders must complete the following training:

1. First Aid and CPR/AED Training is the minimum level of first aid required for any activity, event, or overnight where access to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) is less than 30 minutes response time. Certification is valid for 2 years and can be completed through an outside organization such as the American Red Cross, or Register through MyGS or the Events Calendar.

2. Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR)* or EMR (Emergency Medical Responder) Training is also required if access to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) will be more than 30 minutes away. Certification can be completed through an outside organization such as the American Red Cross, or Register through MyGS or the Events Calendar.

See the GSGLA First-Aider & Emergency Plan-For Troop Activities & Small Events Manual for more information for First Aiders.

Troop Chaperone/Driver toggle arrow

Troop Chaperones make up the adult part of the adult-to girl ratio. They chaperone troop meetings, and accompany the troop on local field trips, events, and overnights. Chaperones must be at least 18 years of age. Troop Chaperones must complete the following training:

611 Troop Chaperone Onboarding includes topics such as safety, the chaperone role, adult-to-girl ratios, and more. To complete, access gsLearn through your MyGS.

Troop Drivers transport girls and adults on planned outings and trips. They must be over the age of 21 and maintain a good driving record, a valid license, and a registered and insured vehicle. Troop Drivers must complete the following training:

611 Troop Driver Onboarding includes topics such as keeping Girl Scouts safe, transporting girls, and vehicle safety. To complete, access gsLearn through your MyGS.

Both Troop Chaperones and Troop Drivers must complete

Complete Mandated Reporter Training or upload an external certification through gsLearn. Training must be completed every two years. For detailed instructions, please see the Accessing gsLearn Mandated Reporter Training document.

Troop Camping and/or Travel Advisor toggle arrow

The Troop Camping and/or Travel Advisor assists girls in planning, budgeting and organizing the troop’s overnights and trips and accompanies them on their experiences. Training for Troop Camping and/or Travel Advisors is dependent upon various factors such as the type of sleeping accommodations (Cabin, tent, hotel, etc.) and how many nights your trip will take place. See the following chart for what training is required.

Sleeping Accommodations	Number of Nights	Training Required
Multi-purpose room, cabin, home, or similar	1-3 nights	Indoor Overnight
Tent Camping, Open Air Sleeping, or any use of a campfire or open flame	1-3 nights	Indoor Overnight + Camping Skills
Hotel, Hostel, or other compartmentalized sleeping	1-3 nights	Indoor Overnight + Domestic Troop Travel
Multi-purpose room, cabin, home, or similar	4+ nights	Indoor Overnight + Domestic Troop Travel
Tent Camping, Open Air Sleeping, or any use of a campfire or open flame	4+ nights	Indoor Overnight + Camping Skills + Domestic Troop Travel
Hotel or Hostel with International Travel	1+ nights	Indoor Overnight + Domestic Troop Travel + International Travel
Backpacking	1-3 nights	Indoor Overnight + Camping Skills + Backpacking
Backpacking	4+ nights	Indoor Overnight + Camping Skills + Backpacking + Domestic Troop Travel

Indoor Overnight should be taken at least 6-8 weeks before overnight your first overnight and is a pre-requisite to all courses below. It is a live webinar training. Register through MyGS or the Events Calendar.

Camping Skills (Part 1 & 2) should be taken at least 4 months before your first camping experience. It is a 2-Part live webinar training. Register through MyGS or the Events Calendar.

Domestic Troop Travel should be taken at least 6 months before your first travel experience. It is a live webinar training. Register through MyGS or the Events Calendar.

International Travel should be taken at least 2 years before international travel. It is a self-study course, with a quiz. To complete, access gsLearn through your MyGS, and search for “611 Troop Travel Advisor”, from the Content Library.

Backpacking should be taken at least 6 months prior to your first backpacking trip. Backpacking training is a 2-part course. Part one is a live webinar, and part two is a hands-on, in-person, overnight backpacking trip. Register through MyGS or the Events Calendar.

For additional information on forms, trainings, etc. Please see the What I need for my girls to attend a… document.

If after reading through this chart, you still need help determining what training you need, please email training@girlscoutsla.org and include your sleeping accommodations and the number of nights of your trip.

Troop Treasurer toggle arrow

The troop treasurer opens the troop bank account, tracks funds, and completes the year-end financial report. Troop Treasurers must complete the following training:

1. 611 Troop Treasurer Onboarding which includes topics on opening your bank account, money matters, and the annual troop year-end report. To complete, access gsLearn through your MyGS.

Troop Product Program Chair toggle arrow

Attends service unit Fall Product and/or Cookie Program training, coordinates the delivery and storage of fall product and/or cookies for the troop, completes Fall Product and Cookie Program reports, and distributes girl rewards. Troop Product Program Chairs must complete the following training:

611 Troop Fall Product Program Chair for the fall program and 611 Troop Cookie Program Chair for the cookie program. To complete, access gsLearn through your MyGS. *Additional training may be required, consult your Service Unit manager or Product Programs Manager.

Special Events & Money Earning Director toggle arrow

The special events & money-earning director helps girls run events for the troop, service unit, or area. Any troops/service units who want to earn money outside of the product programs, or host events, need to have a trained adult. Special Events & Money Earning Directors must complete the following training:

Special Events & Money Earning is a self-study course, with a quiz. To complete, access gsLearn through your MyGS, and search for “611 Special Events Director” from the Content Library.

We’ve got the training classes you need, whether you’re just getting started as a new leader, or ready to progress in getting out and about with your troop. Everything from required training for camping and travel to enrichment classes on Girl Scout traditions, songs, or ceremonies and much more.

Our classes are offered in several ways: online, virtually, in-person, or blend of each. Online and virtual options allow us to reach the greatest number of volunteers at one time, providing a fuller interactive experience. In-person classes are best for hands-on learning and practicing new skills. Blended classes such as Indoor Overnight training combine all three for an enhanced learning experience. Using the same three processes as girls, adults get the best learning experiences when their classes are adult-led, and include cooperative learning, and hands-on skill building opportunities whenever possible. 

Online Training - gsLearn toggle arrow

gsLearn is Girl Scouts’ official online and on-demand training platform. Available to any currently registered adult member, gsLearn is available all the time, on your time schedule, and just for you! You will have access to Girl Scout-specific content that supports accuracy and consistency across the Girl Scout Movement.  Select from categories that fit your role and your needs – such as troop leader, troop treasurer, product program chair, and more.

Search the Content Library to see our robust catalog of courses and resources developed by GSUSA and GSGLA, to help you in your Girl Scout journey. Through the My GS landing page, access your single sign-on page for gsLearn, Volunteer Toolkit, My Household, My Troop(s) and more.  

For help navigating the gsLearn platform, please reference our Welcome to gsLearn guide.

The Service Unit Looker Reports Guide walks you through how to verify Mandated Reporter Training and First Aid & CPR/AED certification compliance for volunteers in your Service Unit.

Live Webinars and In-Person Classes toggle arrow

The fun of learning never stops! Whether you learn best in a classroom, by a campfire, or the comfort of your home participating in virtual classes, we provide a first-class Girl Scout education. Learn new program ideas or renew your first aid certification. Find a class to power your next adventure. Register through the Events Calendar.

Local Support toggle arrow

Girl Scout volunteers in your community are here for you. Whether you are helping with the cookie program or leading a troop, GSGLA’s service unit team members are here to guide you in your chosen role. Attend your monthly service unit meetings (based on geography) to keep up with not only the latest information, events, and training, but to network and build your community with other volunteers and learn tried and true tips from experienced leaders. Contact customercare@girlscoutsla.org for assistance.

Safety Activity Checkpoints toggle arrow

When preparing for any activity with Girl Scouts, always begin with the Safety Activity Checkpoints (SACs). Safety Activity Checkpoints are where you will find important information on safety that is relevant to all activities. Be sure to check the Master Progression charts to help you plan the right progression path for your troop. Consult the Activities at a Glance section and always check for the high-risk tier rankings.

Short & Snappy Training Guides

Educate and support volunteers like you—in a flash!

LET'S GO

Council Finder

Volunteer Training

Support makes all the difference