Learning lasts a lifetime

Whether you are a new volunteer or a seasoned leader, there are training courses to help you learn and develop the skills you need in your role.

Training is available through online courses in gsLearn or as live virtual or in-person courses. Most training is free for adult volunteers, with the exception of certain in-person certification courses in the areas of archery, padlesports, axe throwing, etc.

Log into your myGS account to access gsLearn from your My Account dashboard. Once in gsLearn, use the green navigation pane (or select the menu icon for mobile users) to find courses in the Content Library and keep track of your learning in the Achievements section.

What is gsLearn?

gsLearn is Girl Scouts’ official online and on-demand training tool. It empowers volunteers to complete trainings as it works best for them. Volunteers have access to Girl Scout-specific training that supports consistency across the Girl Scout Movement. gsLearn is accessible through your MyGS portal and in your home page menu under the Volunteer Toolkit option. The courses available to you are located on your home page in gsLearn.

An example of the courses available now are included in the list below.

• Daisy Petal Badges – 10 Badges

• Ten Tips to Keeping Girls Engaged

• Additional Money Earning

• Girl Scout Travel 101

• Mental Wellness 101

• Bank Account Basics

• Ready. Set. Go Gold. Girl Scout Highest Awards

• Girl Scouts in the Outdoors

• Resilient. Ready. Strong.

Courses are added during the year, and they will automatically show on your home page! Try out gsLearn and enjoy the convenience of on demand courses.

New Leader training

All new leaders are required to complete the

New Leader Onboarding series (gsLearn)
- Family Engagement - The Key to Success
- Funding the Fun - Managing Girl Scout Troop Finances
- The Girl Scout Cookie Program
- The Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE)
- Troop Safety
- Your First Troop Meeting
Troop Basics (gsLearn or in-person)
New Leader Onboarding specific to each Program Age Level (gsLearn)
- What Daisy Girl Scouts Do
- What Brownies Girl Scouts Do
- What Junior Girl Scouts Do
- What Cadette Girl Scouts Do
- What Senior Girl Scouts Do
- What Ambassador Girl Scouts Do

Troop Basics - Congratulations! You’ve made the decision to make a powerful, lasting impact on girls in your community. Troop Basics, a one-hour training, will give you the resources you need to begin planning for the best year ever with your girls. Let us guide you on your journey! We are committed to helping you succeed in your volunteer position. When you attend, you can expect to learn about the Girl Scout program, the basics of getting started with your troop such as holding your first parent meeting, learn about all the resources available to you as you begin planning with your girls and how to help your girls lead their own way!

Special Skills training

Training required to lead Girl Scouts in an activity may involve certification outside of Girl Scouts. See details below for trainings that include:

Archery - USA Archery
Camping - Girl Scouts
Paddle sports - American Canoe Association
and more!

Archery

Archery is a Girl Scout staple and a confidence boosting experience for girls. Taking the Level 1 Archery Training is for instructors and those interested in becoming an instructor. In this training you will become certified to bring this experience to girls in your troop, service unit, and special events! Adult instructors are required for Girl Scout archery activities, but girls 16 or older are invited to become certified instructors as well. Certification for GSCV’s archery program is provided through USA Archery. USA Archery offers Level I Instructor courses in a blended learning format. Volunteers will need to complete the knowledge portion of the course online prior to completing the inperson skills session at Pamunkey Ridge Girl Scout Camp. USA Archery Level I Instructor certification is a required course for volunteers who wish to teach beginning archery skills to Brownies through Ambassadors. In Level 1, participants learn about range safety, range setup, the steps of shooting, equipment, and equipment repair. Girls 16 years of age and older are welcome to participate. This USA Archery certification is valid for three years and renewable online through USA Archery. Watch S’more News for more information and a registration link.

Registration is offered in S'more News during the year.

Axe Throwing toggle arrow

Axe Throwing

Pamunkey Ridge Girl Scout Camp has an axe throwing range. Volunteers who want to lead this activity with Girl Scout Cadettes, Seniors, or Ambassadors must take the online course: World Axe Throwing League coach certification https://bit.ly/3xn7C6c

Camping

Beginning Camping

Let's get your troop outside! The Beginning Camping course is designed for leaders and troops who have little camping experience and want to take their troop camping. Upon completion of this course you will be certified to take your Girl Scout Troop on a camping trip in the backyard, in a permanent structure such as a cabin at a state park, or Girl Scout Camp. The course follows progression in the outdoors and is specifically designed for Daisy, Brownie and Junior Leaders. We can’t wait to see you at training! This course takes place in a single day.

Registration is offered in S'more News during the year.

Intermediate Camping

Time to get outdoors! The Intermediate Camping Course is designed for leaders and troop volunteers seeking to take their troop tent camping. This course requires a prep session normally held about two weeks before the two day inperson training at camp.

Registration is offered in S'more News during the year.

First Aid/CPR toggle arrow

First Aid/CPR certification can be taken locally to support busy schedules and convenience. Following the GSUSA approved vendor listing below you can obtain first aid/cpr training from the following vendors which offer options in all GSCV regions

American Red Cross
National Safety Council
EMP America
American Heart Association
American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) • Medic

All GSCV regions have first aid/cpr classes offered from the partners above, but your best source of support is your service unit where you have a network of Girl Scout leaders ready to share their knowledge for resources in your local area! Volunteers who provide a necessary skill to their troop in being the First Aider often have their training paid by troop funds. In the event the troop funds are not healthy enough to cover the cost, GSCV will help defray costs with up to a $50 reimbursement each for up to two volunteers per troop every two years. To request a reimbursement, you will submit your certification, receipt, and request for first aid/cpr training reimbursement form to gshelper@comgirlscouts.org Quick troop tip: A medical professional can also serve as your first aider and would simply need to complete a quick form acknowledging their willingness to serve in that role.

Paddle sports (canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding) toggle arrow

Watercraft sports are a Girl Scout pastime and a confidence boosting experience for girls. By taking the Canoe, Kayak, and Standup Paddleboard (SUP) Certification, you will become certified to bring this experience to girls in your troop, service unit, and special events! Certified adult instructors are required for Girl Scout canoeing, kayaking, and SUP.

Registration is offered in S'more News during the year.

Additional Resources

Healthy Relationships - Leader Guides toggle arrow

When Words Hurt - Daisy Leader Guide

When Words Hurt - Brownie Leader Guide

When Friends are Not Friends - Junior Leader Guide

Be a Friend First leader guide

Background Check Information & FAQs toggle arrow

Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia conducts background checks on all potential volunteers. Safety is our number one priority in ensuring all Girl Scouts have a wonderful experience. GSCV contracts with, Asurint, a national company specializing in background screening for employers and volunteer organizations to provide our online background screening services.

Who has to be background screened? toggle arrow

All volunteers who will be responsible for any girl other than their own at any time must complete a background screening every three years.

*We can accept background screening reports from other agencies if they meet the same criteria for which we screen. Screenings must be done within the last three years, and contain a national criminal, county criminal, motor vehicle, and sex offender registry search. If you feel that you have a current screening that meets these criteria, please contact us at gshelper@comgirlscouts.org.

What information will I be expected to give? toggle arrow

As part of the background screening process you will be asked to provide your social security number and driver's license information. Please note: GSCV does not retain your SSN for any purpose. It is solely used to conduct your background screening. GSCV does not retain your driver's license number for any purpose. It is solely used to conduct your background screening.

*Please note: all applicants with a Pennsylvania Driver's License must contact GSCV at gshelper@comgirlscouts.org prior to submitting your background screening online.

How long does this process take? toggle arrow

Every screening is different and can take anywhere from 24 hours to fourteen days to complete. Each reporting agency reports out based on their specific schedule which can be impacted due to weather, holidays, and other factors.

How will I know if I passed? toggle arrow

GSCV contacts each and every applicant to notify them of their status as soon as possible after their screening is complete.

Can I access the Asurint link using my mobile device? toggle arrow

Asurint's website cannot support the use of tablets or phones to place orders. Asurint's website is primarily compatible with Internet Explorer.

How much does it cost? toggle arrow

For background screening questions, please email gshelper@comgirlscouts.org

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