New Troop Leaders

New Leader Resources

Welcome to Girl Scouts of Colorado!

Ready to get started as a leader or thinking about becoming one? You have come to the right place! This page will guide you through everything you will need for your first year of adventures in Girl Scouting.

We are here to support you! Have questions? Contact us at inquiry@gscolorado.org or 877-404-5708.

Begin Your Adventure

New Leader Checklist
Walking you through your first year as a troop leader from how to be a leader to what occurs throughout your first-year journey

Volunteer Position Description - Troop Leader
What you do as a troop leader

New Leader Guide
A printable guide for leading a Girl Scout troop

Tips for Troop Leaders
Girl Scouts of the USA's tips for troop leaders

Year Plans for Troops
Map out your year

Troop Leader Training
Unsure what training you need to complete? Download the flow chart to see what's next!

Training Matrix
Download to view all required and optional training available

Community Chats (pdf)
Join monthly chats with important information for GSCO volunteers.

Criminal Background Check FAQs

All new troop leaders will complete the online part of their training process using a short series of newly developed courses and then attend a shorter, more focused live session to kickstart their troop activities. Responsive to the feedback we have received from new leaders and experienced volunteers, the new training path focuses on the essentials: the information all new leaders need to know, helpful resources to support new leaders during their first year, and simple checklists of the action items new leaders need to complete to get their new troop up and running.

The new courses take less time to complete than before and include both required and optional content so that each leader can customize their training to get the information they need for their specific situation. Once a new leader completes their initial online learning, they will attend a New Leader Orientation with council staff to make sure you are set up for success. Knowing that a volunteer’s time is a valuable resource, we are excited to launch this streamlined approach to training new leaders. The courses remain self-paced and online so that leaders can manage their training process in a way that fits their schedule, without having to travel.

What this means for you:

New Leaders: If you are a new leader starting on or after August 15, we are ready to support you while you complete the new training process.

In Progress: If you are a new leader and you are currently working on your training courses, the new leader training courses assigned to you in gsLearn when you started will remain active and available to you until you finish your training process. We will be sunsetting that training path on September 30, 2023.

Trained Troop Leaders: If you have already completed your new leader training (either in gsLearn or at an in-person session): you will NOT be required to complete the new courses, but they will be available to you in gsLearn if you want to check them out. View the Achievements tab to view your past training record of gsLearn courses you have completed. Viewing the My Training tab will show you the newly released courses. You also do not have to attend an Explore Your Year training.

Your First Year

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Register as a volunteer.
Complete required background check. (FAQs)
Connect with your volunteer support specialist. They can help you find a co-leader, set up your troop, recruit girls to your troop, and even find a meeting space. Need help connecting? Contact customer care at inquiry@gscolorado.org or 877-404-5708
Review the position description and complete the Volunteer Agreement.
Invite girls to join the troop. You’ll need five girls to launch your troop.
Complete your training in gsLearn. An email will be sent to you by your volunteer support specialist within seven days after being approved as a troop leader. This email will include instructions on how to get started.

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Welcome new girls and their families as they register:

Your troop will remain open on the Opportunity Catalog for new girls to join until you reach 12 girls (standard troop size). Interested in more girls? Complete our Troop Catalog Update Form.
Need help with recruitment? Let us know, and your membership support team can support you.
Review the New Leader Guide.
Check out the Volunteer Toolkit, a customizable planning tool for your troop. You’ll find the Volunteer Toolkit via the left menu bar of MyGS in My Account. It’s accessible on any desktop, tablet, or mobile device.
Connect with your service unit to find out about meetings for leaders and events in your local community.
Attend a required New Leader Orientation with a volunteer support specialist in your region.
Hold your first parent meeting.

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Plan your first troop meeting. Use the Volunteer Toolkit to guide you, or check out these helpful resources.
Attend your first service unit meeting to network with your fellow Girl Scout volunteers. The volunteers in your community have a wealth of knowledge to share.
Register for a live program level training (in-person or virtual). Learn how to structure a meeting and find the right resources to jump-start your Girl Scout year.
Complete First Aid/CPR/AED certification (required for at least one adult to complete).
Open your troop bank account.

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Submit an Annual Finance Report, due yearly on June 30.
Let your girls guide you to the additional trainings you will take:
- Program Explorer (gsLearn)
- Let’s Go Camping (gsLearn and in person)
- Travel Peak (gsLearn)
- Additional enrichments
Troops will participate in and learn about our product programs: the Fall Product Program and the Girl Scout Cookie Program.
Learn about Girl Scout traditions.
Check out additional volunteer resources available.
Ready for troop adventures? Check out Volunteer Essentials to guide you.
Visit our Form and Documents page