Volunteer Training

Opening her eyes to a world of possibilities? Helping her transform into a force for good? Unleashing her most confident self? As a Girl Scout volunteer, you’re an everyday hero with an extraordinary super power: you prepare girls for a lifetime of leadership, success, and adventure. Being a Girl Scout volunteer is one of the most powerful, rewarding journeys you’ll ever embark on.

The Volunteer Training offered by GSU prepares and equips volunteers for working with girls by providing the knowledge and confidence necessary for carrying out meaningful Girl Scout programs.

Training Catalog

Training Requests

We want to support our volunteers in their training needs. Due to the amount of coordination it takes to accommodate training requests, ALL requests must be made a minimum of 6-8 weeks in advance. We will do our best to accommodate your requests.

Training Options: International Trips, CPR/First Aid, and Camping 101

In order to help streamline your request we ask that you provide the following:

Name of Service Unit or Troop Number
Contact Information: name, phone number, and email address.
Dates: provide three possible dates with times that will work for the group
Attendance:
- Who will be attending – adults, girls, both?
- How many will be attending?
  - Minimum required: 5 for all training classes
  - Maximum allowed: 20 for in-person, 30 for virtual training
- First Aid/CPR Attendance:
  - Who will be attending – adults, girls, both?
  - How many will be attending?
    - Minimum required: 8
    - Maximum allowed: 10; more than 10 requires two trainers
Location: select from one of the GSU office locations: Salt Lake City, Ogden, or American Fork, or select an off-site location secured by the requestor
- Ogden max. number is 10 due to space limitations.
- If requesting off-site locations, they must accommodate all COVID requirements.
- Site will need to be secured once the date once is determined.
- Off-site locations will also need a projector and screen or blank wall.

Red Cross Certification in CPR, First Aid, and AED Training

Girl Scouts of Utah requires Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED for at least one troop volunteer any time a troop leaves its regular meeting time at place. This blended learning course teaches the basics of First Aid, CPR, and use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

This training is a blended course; there is an online component that must be completed before attending the practical skills session in person. There are physical components of the in-person skills portion of this training. Participants must be able to get down on the ground on their knees to perform chest compressions, breathing exercises, and use the AED trainer device.

GSU does our best to offer cost effective training for troop leaders, volunteers, and girls – the current pricing for CPR/First Aid training is $60 per person.

GSU offers CPR/First Aid training monthly at the council office locations in Salt Lake, American Fork, and Ogden, which are listed on the GSU Event Calendar. We will do our best to accommodate requests to host a CPR/First Aid training for your service unit or troop; for such a request, eight weeks advance notice is required.

In order to help streamline your request, we ask that you provide the following:

Name of service unit or troop number
Contact Information: name, phone number, and email address.
Dates: provide three possible dates with times that will work for the group
Attendance:
- Who will be attending – adults, girls, both?
- How many will be attending?
- Minimum required: 8
- Maximum allowed: 10; more than 10 requires 2 trainers
Location: select from one of the GSU office locations: Salt Lake City, American Fork, and Ogden, or an off-site location secured by the requestor.
- Ogden max. number is 10 due to space limitations.
- If requesting off-site locations, they must accommodate all COVID requirements.
- Site will need to be secured once the date once is determined.
- Off-site locations will also need a projector and screen or blank wall.

Other CPR/First Aid Training Options

Girl Scouts of Utah does not accept the online-only versions of Adult and Pediatric CPR/Frist Aid/AED training. These ARC or AHA courses meet our requirements:

Troop Leaders

New Troop Leader Training

Content: Everything you need to know to be a troop leader- policies and safety, programs, troop finances, accessing resources, how to work with parents and girls and more.
Availability: virtual or gsLearn (access from myGS)
Required for all Troop Leaders and Co-Leaders

Volunteer Toolkit Tutorials

Content: Learn more about Volunteer Toolkit(VTK) and how to utilize it for your troop. Revisit this training anytime to refresh your skills and answer VTK questions.
Availability: online or by request
Highly Recommended for all Troop Leaders and Co-Leaders

Steps to Multi-Level Troop Success

Content: Come learn how to successfully lead girls at various levels and ensure every girl is receiving a high quality, girl led experience. During this training we will review the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and how to implement Girl-Led at different age levels, how to utilize resources including Volunteer Toolkit to plan meetings, and best practices around planning meetings and keeping older girls engaged.
Availability: Virtual
Highly Recommended for all Troop Volunteers of Multi-Level Troops

Including Girls of All Abilities

Content: Help every girl feel welcome and included in your troop. Learn how to include girls of different abilities and make adjustments when necessary. Most importantly, learn how you can be inclusive while also helping girls achieve their potential.
Availability: gsLearn (access from myGS)
Highly Recommended for all Troop Volunteers

Enhance Your Troop

Journeys *New and Improved

Content: How can I use the Journeys with my troop? – Here’s your answer! This course teaches you how to carry out the Girl Scout Journeys with your girls. It covers the opportunities available to each grade level, girl progression, and engaging girls in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. This training also provides a hands-on approach to planning and using Journey activities in your troop meetings.
Availability: Virtual

STEM 101

Content: Looking to explore the world of science, technology, engineering, and math with your girls? Check out our STEM trainings. Adults and older girls can explore the STEM badges and journeys through hands-on activities, as well as learn about women in STEM and how Girl Scouts helps. Badges and Journeys covered may vary between trainings based on badge releases or other factors.
Availability: Virtual

Older Girl Leadership Opportunites and Awards

Content: Come try out this new training and learn how to keep your Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors engaged in Girl Scouts. Older girls have access to so many fun and unique Girl Scout opportunities. Come learn about them and how your girls can grow as leaders of courage, confidence, and character in the areas they are most interested in.
Availability: Virtual

Camping and the Outdoors (Take 6+ weeks in advance)

Camping 101

Content: Learn practical outdoor skills and camping with Girl Scouts (safety and policies); camping and travel progression
Availability: classroom, virtual, or Online (Renewal only)
Required for any outdoor experience or activity lasting 1 night or more. The training must be renewed every 2 years to remain valid.

CPR/First Aid

Content: Certification in Red Cross CPR, First Aid and AED
Availability: classroom
Required At least 1 adult voluneer must be present for any activity outside of your regular meeting time and place. The training must be renewed every 2 years to remain valid.

Wilderness First Aid

Content: 16 hour Certification in Red Cross Wilderness First Aid.
Availability: classroom (once every Spring)
Required for any activity located more thatn a 30 minute journey away from emergency medical care. This training must be renewed every 2 years to remain valid.

Pool and Waterfront Lifeguarding

Content: 26 hour Certification in Red Cross Pool and/or Waterfront Lifeguarding.
Availability: classroom (once every Spring and by request)
Required for any water activities where a certified lifeguard is not already present (see Safety Activty Check Points for activities requiring lifeguards)

Archery

Content: Become certified to teach basic level Archery with girls
Availability: classroom (once every Spring and by request)
Required for running an archery range where a certified instructor is not already present.

High and Low Ropes

Content: Become certified to teach basic high and low ropes.
Availability: classroom (once every Spring and by request)
Required for running an high or low ropes course where a certified instructor is not already present.

Dutch Oven Cooking

Content: Enhance your outdoor skills and add variety to your next Girl Scout camping trip. All materials will be provided. Girls in grades 6-12 may attend with an adult or troop with adults. This is not a girl only training. Adults can attend as individuals.
Availability: classroom
Optional for all volunteers.

Trips and Travel (Take 6 weeks to 6 months in advance)

CPR/First Aid

Content: Get your Red Cross certification in CPR, First Aid and AED
Availability: classroom
Required. At least 1 adult voluneer must be present for any activity outside of your regular meeting time and place. The training must be renewed every 2 years to remain valid.

Planning Trips with Girl Scouts

Content: Learn about the policies and safety requirements and the travel progression of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
Availability: gsLearn (access from myGS)
Required for all travel, including short trips

Planning Extended and Overnight Trips

Content: Learn how to plan and carry out trips with girls, according to GSU policies and travel progression requirements according to the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
Availability: classroom and in the gsLearn Content Library
Required for all overnight trips of 3 nights or longer. This training must be renewed every 2 years to remain valid.

Planning International Trips

Content: Learn about council policies for travel, money-earning, emergency procedures, accommodations, travel resources and much more.
Availability: by request (contact us)
Prerequisite: Planning Extended Overnight and National Trips
Required by all adults and girls who will be attending the international trip and should be taken at leaset 6 months prior to the travel dates. Required for all adults volunteering with trips outside of the United States.

Optional Trainings

Take Action to Higher Awards

Content: Learn how to plan and carry out Take Action projects as part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, how to choose a project that creates a positive and sustainable difference in the world. Discuss how to do a Take Action project for the Higher Awards (Bronze, Silver and Gold).
Availability: by request or online

Songs and Games

Content: Learn how to lead traditional songs and games, a Girl Scout tradition that brings girls together, raises confidence and breaks down social barriers.
Availability: by request

Kaper Charts*

Content: Learn about Kaper Charts, a fun Girl Scout tradition that will help the girls take responsibility for their troop.
Availability: Online

Having Fun with Purpose*

Content: Learn about the three processes of Girl Scouting
Availability: Online

GS University: Additional Online Trainings*

*These trainings do not count towards the GSU Training Certificate Program.

Trainings for Older Girls

Program Aide Training

Content: This training is for Cadette girls who wish to earn their Program Aide qualification. The training is the second part of three requirements. Please contact your Higher Award Representative and the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for more information.
Availability: classroom
Required for all Girls who want to be a Program Aide.

Volunteer in Training

Content: This training is for Seniors and Ambassadors (must have completed grade 9) who wish to earn their Volunteer in Training qualification. The training is the second part of 3 requirements. Please contact your Higher Award Representative and the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for more information.
Availability: classroom (by request)
Required for Girls who wish to become a Volunteer in Training.

Service Unit Leadership Team

Find service unit position trainings and more on the service unit team resources page.

How to Register:

Classroom

Visit the ACTIVITIES calendar or log in to MYGS
- Click find events
- Enter your location information
- Search by keyword: training
- Scroll down to the bottom and click: search
- Click event details
Add the number of people attending
Click add events
Proceed to your cart to complete the registration and confirm

For assistance, contact GSU Customer Care: 801-265-8472 or info@gsutah.org

Online

Select the training from the Training Catalog
Click "online"
Follow the training and complete any associated quizzes and surveys

Volunteer Training Certificates

Training participants will recieve a digital certificate of completion for every in-person or virtual training and online training (when an online quiz submitted).
Every volunteer who recieves five or more certificates in a Membership Year will recieve a Leadership Development Pin.