We are committed to helping you succeed in your volunteer position. We have designed our training to be convenient, fun and loaded with information that will help you make the most out of your time with the girls. Staff and volunteer trainers are here to help you. We provide a variety of trainings and resources to help you lead a troop, take your girls camping, and experience new adventures.
New Leader Training - 2 Hours
This two-hour course will introduce you to Girl Scouts and how to start and manage your troop. Some of the topics that will be covered are: What to do before your first Troop meeting, the importance of a Parent meeting, Troop Finances, Managing Girl Behavior, using the Volunteer Toolkit, Resources, and an introduction to Journeys & Badges.
Service Unit Orientation - 1 Hour
This 1-hour course introduces you to your local community support network. You will meet with an administrative volunteer in your area who will help and support you as you begin your journey.
Outdoor Skills - 2 Hour Prep & Overnight Saturday - Sunday Morning
This course certifies adult volunteers to take girls on campouts where the girls will be cooking outdoors, sleeping in cabins, yurts, platform tents or pitched tents. During this session you will experience many hands on activities. Because of seasonal weather conditions, overnight courses are scheduled from April through November. Participants stay overnight in platform tents. In addition, a First Aider will be required for all overnights. The First Aider and Camp Certified Volunteer must not be the same person for safety reasons.
First Aid & CPR
A qualified first aider with current First Aid and CPR (both adult and child) must accompany any troop/ group for trips and overnights. The leader is encouraged to engage another volunteer for this important position. Certain health care providers meet GSUSA requirements through their profession, including physicians, registered nurses, dentists, and emergency medical technicians. Adults are encouraged to obtain the courses either through GSCSNJ or another approved agency such as the American Heart Association (AHA,) American Safety & Health Institute, (ASHI,) or American Red Cross (ARC.) Some courses offered by AHA, ASHI or ARC have separate components for First Aid and CPR, with separate expiration time frames. Both First Aid and CPR (adult and child) are required to be considered a Girl Scout first aider. First Aid/CPR training that is available entirely online does not satisfy Girl Scouts' requirements.