TRAINING INFORMATION

For Available Trainings

To check check availability or register for trainings, go to gsctx.org. From the Home page, select Adults->Volunteers and then Learning Opportunities.

Registration

• Consult the Training Calendar for times, dates and locations of courses
• Register online or fill in the Training Registration Form (available online) completely and neatly so we can better serve your needs.
• When registering for CPR/AED/First Aid, Overnight Consultant Course (OCC) or Camp Consultant Course (CCC), please indicate a second choice in case the first is unavailable.
• Registering early decreases the risk of finding the training full or canceled due to low enrollment.
• Mail, fax, or deliver your completed registration form to a GSCTX program center with full payment, if required, a minimum of 10 business days before the date of the course. Registrations cannot be taken over the phone.
• Please include credit card information when registering by fax.

Class Descriptions

Basic Volunteer Orientation - Introduction to Girl Scouting

All new volunteers, including new leaders, parents and event volunteers should take Volunteer Orientation, which covers the following topics:

• Girl Scout History
• Mission, Promise and Law
• Diversity in Girl Scout Activities
• Girl Scout Pathways for Girls and Adults
• Support & Resources
• Girl Scout Leadership Experience

Prerequisites: Submit a Volunteer Application and a Criminal Background Check form (with two references).

• Required for all registered adult volunteers
• Learn Girl Scout history, mission promise and law, program pathways and more.
• Within one month of starting or before starting position

Volunteer Essentials

Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has developed a training plan that:

• Seeks to develop learning opportunities that focus the volunteers on helping girls achieve the fifteen national outcomes, and
• Respects volunteers’ limited time by reducing the number of required learning modules, and
• Encourages continuous learning.

Thus GSUSA has created a national Operational Guide to Volunteering for Girl Scouts: Volunteer Essentials. It is customizable for each council so that council specifics can be added. It is replacing Directions and will be entirely Web based. There is no training required on it. It is easy to follow and comprehensive, so much so that we can now remove Troop Leadership Course (TLC) from the Volunteer Training Plan. Volunteer Essentials is intended to encourage ongoing learning. It says in the document: “Read what you need now, and come back to it when you’re ready for more.”

Training Available Online

• Required for all registered adult volunteers
• A comprehensive overview of the Girl Scout program and policies
• Take within one month of starting and as needed thereafter

Jumpstart

• Required for all registered adult volunteers participating in the Troop Pathway
• Meet with your Service Unit Director or designated team member to learn the resources that are available to you and how to get started with your troop
• Take within one month of starting or before starting position

Leadership Essentials

• Required for all registered adult volunteers working with girls in a troop or group
• Learn age-appropriate activities and girl/adult partnership strategies
• Take Within four month of working with a troop/group, or before advancing to the next program level.
• How to Guide or a Journey book set, and other program level books; resources

First Aid/CPR

• All troops must have an adult certified in first aid and CPR
• Become a Girl Scout First-Aider, certified in first aid and CPR.
• Any time, CPR/AED and First Aid certification is good for two years.
• CPR/AED: Paper and pen, lunch and beverage, padding for knees (optional) and a hair tie (optional) First Aid: Paper and pen, lunch and beverage

Overnight Consultant Course (OCC)>

• Required for all overnight activities
• Learn about outdoor activities how to plan one-day outings and overnight stays in indoor facilities, and how to prepare girls for overnighters.
• At least two months before taking a troop on an overnight or outdoor experience
• Bring Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting, troop leader handbook, award book, Leader's Guide for program level, paper and pen

Camp Consultant Course (CCC)

• Required for troop campouts, including stays at residential camp facilities
• Learn how to plan a campout, from safety to fire-building, cooking, sanitation and more, and how to involve girls in the planning process.
• Take at least four months before taking a troop on a campout
• Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting, troop leader handbook, award book, Leader's Guide for program level, paper and pen, non-disposable dishes and utensils in a mesh bag, sack lunch/dinner, snacks and beverages, bedding and other overnight, personal items.

Trip Consultant Course (TCC)

This at-home course will help determine if a troop is ready for an extended trip or campout. It covers resources and information on trip planning and Safety-Wise requirements for extended trips over three days and two nights.

Prerequisites: Must have completed Basic Volunteer Orientation, and OCC or CCC.

TCC is available as a take-home packet

You'll need the following resources:

• Safety-Wise
• Directions – Troop Leader Guide
• On the Spot: Emergency Procedure Kit
• Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting
• Girl Scout Junior Handbook (optional)

Submit the completed packet to your service unit director or designated service team member for approval.

* Adults registering for outdoor training courses will receive a coupon entitling them to purchase Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting at a discount price. Coupons will be mailed with training confirmation.

• Required for troop trips and campouts that are over three days/two nights
• Learn how to plan extended trips and campouts over three days and two nights.
• Take at least six months before taking a troop on an extended trip or campout. Available as an at-home packet.