Girl Scouts strives to provide you with the information to successfully manage your group of girls, and to let you know how and where you can get additional information on certain topics when you want to learn more. Learning opportunities are offered in a variety of ways to best meet your unique learning styles: written resources, face-to-face learning, interactive online learning—and additional methods are being developed and tested all the time.

Adult Learning Opportunities Course Descriptions

New Member Orientation – This course provides new volunteers with basic information regarding the mission, purpose, and history of Girl Scouts, as well as information on the organizational structure, forms and policies of the organization along with progression required. Each new leader and at least one assistant leader are required to complete New Member Orientation provided by GS-TOP.

Leadership Essentials/Journeys – You will learn the meaning of the three keys of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) and how to use resources to support the GSLE, including the journeys with accompanying adult guides, and how to use the Girl Scout processes in all activities. Participants will explore the Girl Scout processes which are girl-led, learning by doing and cooperative learning. 

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience identifies three keys to leadership at each grade level:

Discover:       Girls understand themselves and their values and use their knowledge and skills to explore the world.

Connect:        Girls care about, inspire, and team with others locally and globally.

Take Action:            Girls act to make the world a better place.

Workshops to Enhance Troop Program

Courses listed here are for adults working with any grade level. Please check www.gs-top.org/events for locations, dates and times of workshops and further information on each workshop. For more information you may contact your local Girl Scout Service Center.

Miniversity – Is an all-day or weekend event with a broad range of learning opportunities focusing on the volunteer and providing a variety of ideas and options for troop program. More information will be published in The Runner and the website with dates, times, and places in each region.

Outdoor 101—is an introduction to camping and the out of doors.  It covers the basic outdoor skills and Leave No Trace principles as well as how to prepare to go camping and what to pack. It also introduces all participants to the properties available throughout the council which have troop camping available. Taking this course is just an introduction to camping and the participant must take Cabin Camping next to be able to actually take their troop camping. This course is a 3 hour course.

Cabin Camping—is an experience in a camp setting where adults must spend at least one night at a camp or in a cabin.  Facilitators will work with them on techniques to use with their troop to get them ready to go camping so that everyone—troop leader and girls—have a wonderful experience.  Participants will learn to cook simple one pot meals while learning the basic skills that will enhance every camping trip.  This course must be taken before participants can take their troop or group camping. This course includes an overnight and 12 hours of instruction.

Tents—is a 3 hour course in which participants will learn the ins and outs of tent camping but not actually stay in a tent.  It is suggested that you take your troop or group Cabin Camping at least once before you move on to tents.

Tents Plus—this course is an overnight course which will include the 3 hour course as well as  other methods of cooking (dutch oven, box oven, vagabond stoves, stick cooking, etc), map and compass, GPS, Geo-caching, Leave No Trace activities and a variety of outdoor activities to enhance your camping experience with your troop or group.  These Plus courses are decided upon by the facilitators of the course.  Participants will spend the night in a tent so it is an overnight course with 12 hours of Plus course instruction. 

Backpacking—this course is offered to those whose troop is ready to move on from tent camping to the wilderness.  It involves a planning session and the actual backpacking trip and involves at least one night and maybe two.  Participants learn about equipment needed, meal preparation, and tips for trips. The course length is determined by the facilitators and the destination of the opportunity.

Archery – Participants will learn how to accurately shoot a bow; teach beginner archers simple drills and skills; and learn to select and manage basic archery equipment. Participants receive Basic Instructor Certification that is valid for three years. Course is 8 hours; both in-town session and camp session must be completed.

Leave No Trace – This course is designed for registered Girl Scout adults who value the land and want to teach others how to protect and preserve it. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be a qualified Leave No Trace Trainer equipped to understand, demonstrate, and teach minimum impact techniques; lead discussions on outdoor ethics; help others explore their own personal outdoor ethics; and conduct Leave No Trace Awareness Workshops. The history of Leave No Trace, underlying land ethics, individual learning styles, and the seven principles of Leave No Trace will also be covered. This course is a combination of indoor and outdoor lecture/discussion/demonstration, practical application.

Girl Scout Bronze Award – For adults working with girls in grades 4-5. Recognitions for girls grades 4-5 and the requirements to earn the Girl Scout Bronze Award.

Girl Scout Silver Award – For adults working with girls grades 6-8. Girls are strongly encouraged to attend this course. Recognitions for girls grades 6-8 and the requirements to earn the Girl Scout Silver Award.

Girl Scout Gold Award – For adults working with girls grades 9-12. Girls are strongly encouraged to attend this course. Recognitions for girls grades 9-12 and the requirements to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award.

How to Register for Adult Learning Opportunities

All learning opportunities require pre-registration and have registration deadlines. Registration closes seven days prior to the course date. You may not attend a course unless you are registered. Your registration enables us to notify you if the location or time changes or if the course is cancelled. All registered participants will be notified if the course is cancelled. Everyone registered will receive a confirmation. Late registration is discouraged; however, it may be considered on a case-by-case basis depending upon availability. You may register online, by mail, fax, or in person.

Learning opportunities are open to all registered adults in GS-TOP. Attendees are asked to arrive on time and stay for the duration of the course in order to receive a full understanding of the course.

Fee Payment – There is a fee for some courses. Fees must accompany registration forms. Fees are kept at a minimum to offset the cost of printed materials and supplies only. Fees are refunded if a course is cancelled by GS-TOP. Fees are forfeited and may not be transferred for all NO SHOWS. Limited financial assistance is available; contact your Girl Scout Service Center for more information.

Cancellations – Courses are planned for the number of people registered. If you are unable to attend, please call and cancel your registration immediately. All requests for refunds must be received IN WRITING or via email seven days prior to the course date. A 20% processing fee will be deducted from your refund. Emergency cancellations will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Course Record – At your first learning opportunity, you will receive a card to record courses you attend. Be sure that your card is properly completed and initialed by the facilitator when each course is concluded.

Child Care – In fairness to participants in the course and to our volunteer facilitators, bringing a child or children to an adult learning opportunity course is discouraged unless the course offers childcare. We respectfully request that children not be brought to the classroom session. Please make your own arrangements.

Materials – Pay special attention to the “What to Bring” section on the confirmation. The materials listed in this section are required by the facilitator in order to ensure that each participant will receive the maximum benefits from the course.