Volunteer Training

Co-Leader Expectations toggle arrow

All co-leaders are required to review and sign GSSI’s Expectations of a Troop Co-Leader annually. These expectations provide a clear, easy-to-reference overview of key policies and procedures. Once you sign the digital version, GSSI staff will email you a PDF copy containing direct links to the essential resources mentioned.

Child Protection Training toggle arrow

All volunteers who interact with Girl Scouts, regardless of their volunteer role, are required to complete GSSI’s Child Protection Training every two years.

Visit the links below for quick access to each resource!

Step 1: Know the Policies
Read pages 24–30 of GSSI’s Policies, Standards, Volunteer & Child Protection Guidelines to understand your role in keeping girls safe.

Step 2: Complete the gsLearn Course*
Click to view the gsLearn video course, "Girl Scouts Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention":

Part 1: Recognizing and Responding to Abuse – 25 minutes
Part 2: Being Proactive in Abuse Prevention – 25 minutes

*Volunteers may OPT OUT of completing this video if:

They are renewing this certification.
They have completed another child abuse prevention training through an accredited organization within the past two years.
NOTE: You must upload your training certificate to GSSI’s Child Protection Training – Confirmation of Completion form to opt out.

Step 3: Learn About Indiana’s Mandated Reporting
Complete the 10-minute online course from Indiana DCS: Reporting Abuse and Neglect. NOTE: Save your digital certificate at the end of the course.

Final Step: Submit Your Completion Confirmation
Once you’ve finished all three components, submit your Child Protection Training - Confirmation of Completion form so we can document your training.

Permissions and Certifications Chart toggle arrow

The grid below was designed as a visual supplement to Safety Activity Checkpoints, Volunteer Essentials, and GSSI Standards and Policies. For each type of activity (listed in the left column), the grid indicates the types of documentation and training (if any) that are required prior to the activity.

Download Troop Health Form

The two Annual Permission Forms are always required, one for girls and one for adults.

• = required form/application/training

† The two Annual Permission Forms, Annual Girl Permission & Troop Health Form and Annual Adult Participation Agreement, must be on hand during all Girl Scout activities, and copies must be submitted to GSSI. Request the Annual Adult Participation Agreement from each parent/guardian in case of emergency, regardless of whether they register as adult members or plan to attend meetings or outings during the membership year. Keep extra copies on hand in case a new adult attends at the last minute and submit to GSSI following the meeting/activity. For regular meetings in the usual location and at the usual time, the Girl Scout registration is sufficient permission until the Annual Permission Forms are obtained. The lead volunteer must have all Annual Permission Forms on hand since they include a summary of emergency and medical information.

√ Requires an Overnight Permission Form in addition to the Annual Permission Form.

¹Activity insurance is supplemental health insurance. Basic Plan 1 automatically covers Girl Scout members and non-members, who are invited to participate, and are injured during a Girl Scout sponsored and supervised activity or trip. Plan 3P – Accident plus Sickness covers the same as Basic Plan 1 plus sickness, is optional, must be purchased separately, and is intended for extended, long-distance trips. Plan 3PI – Accident plus Sickness for International Trips coverage is required for trips outside of the USA and must be purchased separately. You can request Activity Insurance HERE.

² An extended trip is defined as a trip lasting more than 3 days and 2 nights and requires Extended Trip Application.

³ Activities with Unusual Risk may include (but are not limited to) skating, water activities, horseback riding, and more. Most activities involving over two feet of water require a certified lifeguard and watchers. Examples: wading in a creek, fishing, swimming in the hotel pool or at a leader’s house, etc. Specific water activities may have other requirements. See Safety Activity Checkpoints and verify with location if they provide certified lifeguards.

⁴ Girl Scouts recommends that at least one adult volunteer in any group be First-Aid/CPR certified. Activities can take place in a variety of locations, which is why first-aid requirements are based on the nature and remoteness of the activity- as noted in the Safety Activity Checkpoints for that activity.

Overnights, Trips & Travel Certification toggle arrow

Overnights, Trips & Travel certification is required to plan and facilitate overnights and trips with indoor sleeping arrangements, as well as national travel opportunities. This training also certifies volunteers to hold backyard tent camping in a registered volunteer's backyard. After reviewing GSSl's Guide for Travel Volunteers, certification can be completed online at any time.

Adult Outdoor Overnights, Trips & Travel Training Test

*This certification is valid for approximately three years from the date of completion, and expires on December 31. Volunteers can renew their certification online by reviewing the current guidelines and resubmitting the test.

Fire Building & Basic Outdoor Cooking Certification toggle arrow

Fire Building and Basic Outdoor Cooking certifies volunteers to build fires AND cook outdoor meals with their troop/group using Girl Scout safety protocols and Leave No Trace principles. Fire Building and Basic Outdoor Cooking courses must be completed in-person. Courses are offered twice each year, once in the spring and once in the fall.

Fire Building and Basic Outdoor Cooking Manual

For general questions or to complete the recertification test, please contact Mark Birkhead at mbirkhead@girlscouts-gssi.org.

Troop Camp Training Certification toggle arrow

Troop Camp Training certifies volunteers to plan age-appropriate tent camping experiences for their groups. In addition to Troop Camp Training, you will also need certification in Overnights, Trips & Travel before holding any overnight camping experiences with your troop. This step in the training progression will give you hands-on experience and program ideas to have a successful overnight camping experience. Troop Camp Certification courses must be completed in-person. Courses are offered twice each year, once in the spring and once in the fall.

Troop Camping Training Manual

For general questions or to complete the recertification test, please contact Mark Birkhead at mbirkhead@girlscouts-gssi.org.

First Aid/CPR toggle arrow

GSSI helps coordinate First Aid/CPR courses once we reach the minimum interest needed to host a training in a specific area. If you’d like to be notified about future opportunities, please complete GSSI's First Aid/CPR Interest Indicator form.

The Dubois County Health Department offers free monthly First Aid/CPR classes for residents ages 15 and older.

View upcoming dates and registration details here:
https://www.duboiscountyin.org/departments/health_department/health_education/cpr.php

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Volunteer Training

Thank you for your service as a volunteer! This page contains the steps needed to begin or continue as a registered Girl Scout volunteer.