For Volunteers and Troop Leaders

Everything You Need for a Successful Troop Year

Ready to make this your most rewarding year yet? Whether it’s your first time volunteering or you’ve mentored Girl Scouts for years, you’ll find everything you need—from new volunteer training resources and helpful tips to up-to-date Troop Year Plans and Cookie Season tools—right here on this page! The resources you’ll find here make it easy to keep your troop running smoothly so you can spend more time fueling imaginations, building life skills, and making memories.

Key Troop Leader Tools

We’ve compiled a helpful list of go-to resources that will help you deliver a year full of impact, laughter, & wonder for your troop.

myGS Resources

Access essential troop resources like gsLearn and the Volunteer Toolkit via myGS.

Resources for New Troop Leaders

Understand what resources are available to help get you started on the ride of a lifetime.

Want to learn more? Dive deeper into our key resources to enhance your volunteer experience.

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Familiarize yourself with the keystones of our organization. Learn about the Girl Scout Promise and Law, Make New Friends song, and Girl Scout uniforms. We also encourage you to dive in head-first to understand what Girl Scouts do and learn how you can help raise awesome girls.

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Get ready for adventure, excitement, and friendship as you help Girl Scouts learn new skills and make positive change happen. These simple and turnkey, month-by-month plans offer a variety of experiences focused on exploration, confidence, and practical skills that will help them reach their full potential. You can customize as needed to map out your meetings and activities—you’ll see just how simple it can be.

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The Volunteer Toolkit is a customizable digital planning tool that will help you power a fun-filled—and super organized—Girl Scout year. You can use it to find suggested meeting plans for badges, access activity guides, see badge requirements, track your Girl Scouts’ achievements, and so much more!

Find the Volunteer Toolkit via the left menu bar of myGS in My Account. It’s accessible from any desktop, tablet, or mobile device. If you haven’t already, simply log in or create a member account from myGS. Once you log in, from the left navigation menu, choose “Volunteer Toolkit.” See the step-by-step access instructions.

gsLearn

Use gsLearn to find essential volunteer training resources from your council—like how to lead activities the Girl Scout way, safety procedures, and advice for guiding Girl Scouts at every grade level.

Find gsLearn via the left menu bar of myGS in My Account. It’s accessible from any desktop, tablet, or mobile device by simply logging via myGS. See the step-by-step access instructions.

gsEvents

gsEvents is a tool that lets you search for Girl Scout–affiliated events by title, date, location, topic, age range, and other criteria. Participate in online events in real time or watch past events on demand. Instructions to access gsEvents can be found by clicking My Events on your myGS navigation bar.

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Feel prepared for any challenge that may come your way by checking out real advice from troop leaders who have been there and done that! Whether you need tips for working with younger girls, older girls, differently abled girls, or girls across different socioeconomic statuses, you’ll find answers to your questions here.

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Award and Badge Explorer
Explore the badges and Journey awards that Girl Scouts can earn. Filter your results by grade level and topic or create a custom plan PDF.

Journeys and Awards
Find Journey and Highest Award requirements in the Award and Badge Explorer and Volunteer Toolkit.

New Program Resources
There are new ways for Girl Scouts to explore their world—both virtually and in-person! Check out the new badge booklets in the Volunteer Toolkit and badge introductions in gsLearn.

Girl Scout Activity Zone
Filter activities by age, grade level, and more. Want to share some service project inspiration with a Girl Scout or simply find an age-appropriate adventure for your troop? You’ll find it here.

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Selling Girl Scout Cookies® is one of the most iconic activities Girl Scouts engage in. Need Cookie Program booklets, handouts, pins, badges, safety tips, or sales materials? You’ve come to the right place! Check out these helpful resources to ensure everyone—from troop leaders and caregivers to Girl Scouts themselves—gets the most out of this year’s Cookie Season.

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Traditions connect Girl Scouts across the globe. They link current Girl Scouts to the trailblazers who came before them and remind them of the camaraderie that comes with the Trefoil they wear. Read up on some of Girl Scouts’ most well-loved traditions. More info about Girl Scout traditions and ceremonies can be found in your grade level’s handbook.

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A guide for families as they begin their Girl Scout adventure! Packed with background info, family activities, and places for Girl Scouts to write down their favorite memories from the year, Girl Scout Family Connection is a go-to guide to the year ahead for families.

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Handbooks are available for Girl Scouts at each program level, Daisy through Ambassador. These serve as guides for the Girl Scout experience, meeting Girl Scouts where they are and introducing them to the programming and other foundational aspects of being a Girl Scout. Handbooks are not required, but they’re a helpful resource. You can ask that each Girl Scout get one, or you can choose to obtain one copy for your troop to share.

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Find resources, ideas, and more to confidently and easily deliver STEM programming with the STEM Playbook.

Travel

Girl Scout travel starts with day trips. Learn more through the Field Trips & Travel course on gsLearn or by reviewing our Day Trips Checklist. You can learn more information about Girl Scout travel opportunities on the Travel portion of our site.

Still haven’t found what you’re looking for? Your council's website is your go-to for the latest information and resources customized for your particular location, including Volunteer Essentials and Safety Activity Checkpoints.

It's Almost Time to Celebrate!

Bridging is a time to commemorate Girl Scouts' accomplishments as they get ready to move on to new adventures. The Girl Scout shop is where you'll find uniforms, bridging kits, and end-of-year gifts.

SHOP NOW

Uniforms

Girl Scouts at each level proudly wear a tunic, sash, or vest to display official pins and awards and as a symbol of sisterhood.

Official Apparel

This apparel collection was designed to wear with official uniforms in Girl Scout style.

Badges

Spark your Girl Scout's sense of wonder by discovering something new.

Thank You for Everything You Do

We’re beyond grateful for you, our superhero volunteers who show up for the Girl Scouts you serve. The creativity and heart you bring to the table has a lasting impact on the girls in your troop, your community, and the entire Girl Scout Movement. Thank you for your generosity and dedication to helping Girl Scouts grow, thrive, and unlock their passion.

Troop leader with two Girl Scouts smiling outdoors

Keep the Excitement Going

Give your troop another year of growth, laughter, and the confidence they need to be their most authentic selves!

SIGN ME UP

Volunteering FAQs toggle arrow

How do I sign up to volunteer?

Become a registered GSUSA member and find your local council to learn where help is needed.

What resources are available to me as a volunteer?

Review our Volunteer Resource Flyer above for a quick glance at the resources available to you as a volunteer.

Where can I share my feedback on the volunteering process?

You can always reach out and share your thoughts with your council in addition to filling out our annual Girl Scout Voices Count Survey.