GSCO Volunteer Academies offer fun and informative required trainings and enrichment courses that will support and enhance your volunteer experience! Sessions are offered around the state.

Learn, Lead, Inspire

Whether you are new leader or in your fifth cookie season, our volunteer learning and enrichment sessions are designed to engage with volunteers at every stage of Girl Scouting to provide you with the information, resources, and skills to feel prepared and confident in leading girls. With these offerings, we strive to enhance your leadership skills to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

We know that training is critical to a successful volunteer experience, and for that reason, we are continually adding to our training portfolio. Check the event list and gsLearn, our e-learning site, regularly. Additionally each fall, Girl Scouts of Colorado hosts Volunteer Academies across the state to bring fun and engaging workshops to you!

When am I done with training? toggle arrow

Training isn’t a one-and-done activity—it's part of a lifelong learning journey. Even if you’ve completed your initial requirements, staying engaged with ongoing learning helps you grow as a leader, stay current with Girl Scout best practices, and discover new ways to inspire your troop. We know that training is critical to a successful volunteer experience, and for that reason, we are continually adding to our training portfolio. By embracing lifelong learning, you continue to build your confidence, expand your skills, and create meaningful experiences for the girls you lead. Check gsLearn and our event calendar regularly to see what’s new! Additionally each fall, Girl Scouts of Colorado hosts Volunteer Academies across the state to bring fun and engaging workshops to you!

Log into your myGS account to access gsLearn.

Learn more about how to use myGS.

Training Matrix (pdf)
Download to view all required and optional training available

Interested in training or enrichment in your area? toggle arrow

Please submit the Training and Enrichment Request form to bring our training volunteers and staff to your area. This is a request, and we will try to accommodate as many as possible, but it will be scheduled as we are able to fill. Most of our trainers are volunteers.

Interested in becoming a volunteer trainer? toggle arrow

Our volunteer trainers are critical to bringing learning opportunities across the state. We will provide the training and supplies necessary to present training and enrichments to your area. From Songs & Games to Program Level Trainers, and Outdoor Skills and CPR/AED First Aid Instructors, we are looking to lift your skills! Simply fill out this form for information.

Essential Leadership Foundations toggle arrow

This is the basic training required for ALL volunteers regardless of their volunteer roles. This training will guide you through a basic overview of what Girl Scouts do and the basis of the Girl Scout difference- the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Additional required trainings in this learning path cover the Girl Scouts abuse prevention policies and ensuring that Girl Scouts programming is inclusive.

Once this learning path is complete, reach out to your Volunteer Success or Membership Engagement Specialist to arrange a phone/zoom call for a new leader orientation and to register you for your instructor-led program level leader training.

First Year Troop Leaders

Essential Leadership Foundations toggle arrow

New Leader Orientation toggle arrow

Attend a meeting in person or over zoom with your Volunteer Success/Membership Engagement Specialist to go over the basics of getting your troop started. You will discuss the logistics of opening a bank account, finding a place to meet, and jump into using the Volunteer Toolkit to plan your first meeting.

New Troop Leader Learning Path toggle arrow

This mandatory self-guided learning path is designed for all Troop Leadership Team Members. It includes training outlining the expectations and responsibilities for troop leaders and tips for creating a successful troop with family engagement. Additional training around Safety and Managing Troop Finances can also be found in this path.

This path will be complete when you have completed a New Leader Orientation with your Volunteer Success/Member Engagement Specialist. Don’t forget to take the survey at the end to request your Trained to Lead patch.

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After completing the self-paced gsLearn courses in the Essential Leadership Foundations and Troop Leader Learning Path and meeting with your Volunteer Success Specialist or Membership Engagement Specialist for New Leader Orientation, you’ll be ready for the next step: hands-on training focused on your troop’s grade level.

This interactive course—offered on Zoom or in person—provides the practical skills and knowledge you need to confidently lead your specific age group. Completing this training fulfills the required training for new troop leaders.

You can find upcoming Troop Leader Training on our events calendar.

Attend Your Service Unit Meetings toggle arrow

Did you know your troop belongs to a local community called a service unit? Your service unit is a place to gather with other leaders and volunteers to learn new information, exchange ideas and challenged, and connect with experienced volunteers.

Your service unit also plays a huge role in events and the Girl Scout Product Programs (also known as the Cookie Program and Fall Product Program).

If you are unsure how to connect to your service unit reach out to your council staff contact, your volunteer support specialist, and they will help you get plugged in!

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Volunteer Role Learning Paths toggle arrow

Each Girl Scout volunteer role comes with unique responsibilities—and we’re here to help you succeed every step of the way. Volunteer Role Learning Paths are curated collections of training courses in gsLearn tailored to your specific role, whether you're a troop leader, service unit team member, bank account signer, product program volunteer or program volunteer. These learning paths guide you through essential knowledge and skills, so you feel confident, prepared, and supported in your volunteer journey.

512 Finance Volunteer Learning Path- this learning path is required for all bank account signers and anyone that deals with troop, service unit or group funds.
512 Juliette Mentor Learning Path- Resources for Juliette mentors
512 Product Program Volunteer Learning Path- this learning path is required for anyone that is in a troop or service unit product program (Fall Product or Cookies) role. New trainings for each product program season will be updated in this learning path each year.
512 Program Volunteer Learning Path- Resources for program volunteers.
512 Service Unit Volunteer Learning Path- Resources for service unit volunteers

Highest Awards toggle arrow

The Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards are the highest honors a Girl Scout can earn—and they represent leadership, community impact, and lasting change. The Highest Awards Learning Path in gsLearn is designed to guide volunteers through the requirements, processes, and support needed to mentor girls on their Highest Awards journey. You'll gain a clear understanding of your role, how to support girls in planning and executing sustainable projects, and how to navigate approval and recognition steps. Whether you're new to Highest Awards or looking to deepen your knowledge, this learning path will equip you to be a confident and informed mentor.

Outdoor Resources toggle arrow

Girl Scouts has been building girls’ confidence and skills in the great outdoors for over 100 years. Outside is where many of our favorite activities happen. Activities like camping, outdoor cooking, orienteering, and exploring the wilds (and the backyard) are part of our identity as an organization. Here are a few resources to get you started on an outdoor adventure.

Outdoor training is required for any outdoor cooking, wood-burning fires, and any overnight in a tent or non-permanent structure.

Look for Let's Have a Campfire, Let's Have a Cookout, and Let's Have an Outdoor Overnight courses on the GSCO events page. You can also complete all three trainings at once with a Let's Go Camping course.

Need a little more information? Check out these resources:

Are You Ready for Your Next Outdoor Adventure quiz

GSCO Adult Outdoor Skills and Training Progression Chart

Outdoor Progression Chart

Outdoor Program Planning Resource Guide

Leave No Trace

Travel

The Travel Peak Learning Path contains all the courses needed for traveling as a troop. From field trips to international travel, the Travel Peak has you covered!

The Overnights course is required before taking any kind of overnight travel with your troop. Even indoor slumber parties!

Program Level Explorer Learning Paths toggle arrow

Daisy, Brownie, Junior Program Explorer
Cadette, Senior, Ambassador Program Explorer

Each Girl Scout program level—from Daisy to Ambassador—offers unique opportunities for growth, discovery, and fun. Program Level Explorer Learning Paths in gsLearn are designed to help you dive deeper into the specific needs, interests, and developmental stages of the girls you lead. These curated courses provide guidance on age-appropriate activities, badge work, and ways to keep girls engaged at every level. Whether you're new to a grade level or looking to refresh your knowledge, these learning paths will help you lead with confidence and inspire girls to grow into their best selves. Program Explorer Learning Paths are optional learning paths dedicated to updates in official Girl Scout programming, patches, and highest awards. Check out all the amazing things you and your girls can do!

Mental Health and Wellness toggle arrow

Supporting girls means supporting the whole person—including their mental and emotional well-being. The Mental Health Learning Path is designed to help volunteers build awareness, understanding, and practical skills around youth mental health. Through a series of thoughtfully selected courses in gsLearn, you'll learn how to recognize signs of stress or emotional challenges, create a safe and supportive environment, and promote healthy coping strategies. This learning path also emphasizes the importance of caring for your own well-being as a volunteer, so you can continue to lead with compassion and resilience.

myGS Tips

We've created a short tutorial to help you acess the Volunteer Toolkit on the new myGS.

Log into myGS via the green navigation bar above. Here you can access two resources:

myGS- manage your membership and your troop’s memberships
Volunteer Toolkit (VTK)- Explore Girl Scout National Leadership Journeys and Badges, set troop meeting dates, communicate with caregivers, and so much more.

Watch the videos below and see how the Volunter Toolkit can benefit you in your role, save time and help you plan!

The Year Plan Tab toggle arrow

The Explore Tab toggle arrow

Meeting Plan Overview toggle arrow

Council Finder

Training & Enrichment

Learn, Lead, Inspire

First Year Troop Leaders

Explore more in volunteer training

myGS Tips

We've created a short tutorial to help you acess the Volunteer Toolkit on the new myGS.