Our Volunteer Development program is designed to help adult volunteers to broaden their understanding of the philosophy, aims, and program of the Girl Scout Movement, and to increase the knowledge and skills they need to fulfill their roles with competence and satisfaction. Please refer to the Course Catalog for complete information on training opportunities or click here for a list of upcoming courses by date (select Trainings in the Category drop down box).
| Core Leadership Courses |
Girl Scouting 101
(classroom) |
This course is designed to give you the essential skills and resources that you need to be an effective leader and facilitator of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. You will learn how to use the resources to support the delivery of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience including the Journeys, and accompanying Adult Guides. |
Required for at least one Troop Leader or Assistant leader for each troop/group. (Can take GSUSA Girl Scouting 101 online course in lieu of this classroom course.) |
| GSUSA Girl Scouting 101 (online) – NEW! |
This 45-minute online course can be taken in place of the Leadership Essentials classroom course. You will complete a registration log that will be submitted to the Volunteer Development Department. |
Required for at least one Troop Leader or Assistant leader for each troop/group. (Can take Leadership Essentials classroom course in lieu of this online course.)
http://training.girlscouts.org
Password: aboutGS101 |
| GSUSA Volunteering for Girl Scout Series and Events (online) – NEW! |
This course is a 20-minute, self-paced, online orientation for non-troop volunteers. |
Required for any volunteer providing direct service to girls via the Event or Series Pathway.
http://training.girlscouts.org
Password: volunteer |
| Enrichment / Optional Courses |
| Girl Scout Daisy Grade Level |
This course, for leaders of Kindergarten and first grade girls, provides an in-depth look at girl/adult planning, developmental characteristics, troop government, decision making, problem solving behavior management activities and awards, including the Journeys and Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. |
Optional course for adult volunteers providing direct service to girls at the Girl Scout Daisy Grade Level.
Also available as a Home Study Course.
GS Daisy Grade Level Home Study Course |
| Girl Scout Brownie Grade Level |
This course, for leaders of second and third grade girls, provides an in-depth look at girl/adult planning, developmental characteristics, troop government, decision making, problem solving, behavior management activities and awards, including the Journeys and Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. |
Optional course for adult volunteers providing direct service to girls at the Girl Scout Brownie Grade Level.
Also available as a Home Study Course.
GS Brownie Grade Level Home Study Course |
| Girl Scout Junior Grade Level |
This course, for leaders of fourth and fifth grade girls, provides an in-depth look at the changing roles of adult volunteers during this grade level, girl/adult planning, developmental characteristics, troop government, decision making, problem solving, behavior management activities and awards, including the Journeys and Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. |
Optional course for adult volunteers providing direct service to girls at the Girl Scout Junior Grade Level.
Also available as a Home Study Course.
GS Junior Grade Level Home Study Course |
| Girl Scout Cadette / Senior / Ambassador Grade Level |
This course, for advisiors of girl in grades 6-12, provides an in-depth look at the role change of adult volunteers at these grade levels, girl /adult planning, developmental characteristics, troop government, decision making, problem solving, behavior management, activities and awards, including the Journeys and Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting. |
Optional course for adult volunteers providing direct service to girls at the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Grade Levels.
Also available as a Home Study Course.
GS Cadette/Senior/Ambasssador Grade Level Home Study Course |
| Extended Trip Training |
This course is for GS Cadette, GS Senior, and GS Ambassador troop leaders/advisors who plan on
taking their troop/group on an Extended Trip. An Extended Trip is defined as a Girl Scout troop/group planning a trip lasting three or more nights, excluding holidays, AND exceeds 175 miles one‐way from their hometown. |
Required that one leader/advisor from the troop has taken the course in the past three years in order to participate in an Extended Trip. It is highly recommended that two or more adults that plan on attending the trip complete the course. This is a Home Study Course.
Extended Trip Training |
| Troop Camp Training |
This course is designed to help adults plan and prepare for an overnight camping event with girls. Course content includes: site information and resources, campfire building, emergency and safety procedures, indoor/outdoor cooking and recipes, menu planning and camp activities. |
Required for at least one adult per troop for overnight camping experiences. Certification is valid for three years. Recertification is available through a written test.
Troop Camp Training Recertification |
| Waterfront Safety Training |
In this course, you will learn the Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Waterfront Procedures and Safety Regulations for using the waterfront at Camp Butterfly, Camp ChanYaTa, Camp Wassatoga and Camp Cedar Point. |
Required for all adult lifeguards, watchers, canoeing and sailing instructors, service unit event planners, and troop/group leaders intending to use the waterfront at Camp Butterfly, Camp Wassatoga, Camp ChanYaTa, or Camp Cedar Point. Certification is valid for three years.
This is a Home Study Course.
Waterfront Safety Training |
PB&J Workshop - NEW!
(classroom) |
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is comprised of two distinct components: the Journeys, which develop girls’ leadership ability through the three leadership keys (Discover, Connect and Take Action) and proficiency badges, which build girls’ topic-specific skills. Together, they complement each other like peanut better and jelly! This experiential workshop will help you make your own flavor of PB & J while enhancing your knowledge of the Girl Scout National Program Portfolio. |
Enrichment course for any adult volunteer providing direct service to girls. |
| Virtual Interactive Enrichment Workshops (V.I.E.W.) |
No travel required for this course! Connect with other volunteers and bring your questions or expertise to the “table” at these roundtable webinars/conference calls. |
Enrichment course for any registered adult volunteer. |
To enhance each volunteer’s experience at Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois, volunteer facilitators for GSSI offer a variety of training and adult learning opportunities. Whether you choose to lead a troop or teach outdoor skills, we have opportunities for you to share with other Girl Scout volunteers and find more ways to make your experience easier and fun! 
