Troop Management

Leadership is more than “being in charge” or having a title; it’s recognizing that you’re part of a team and understanding that team’s needs and interests. Here’s how you’ll do that with your troop!

Troop Management 101

Your Role as a Girl Scout Volunteer toggle arrow

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is based on three keys—discover, connect, and take action—but it’s not just for your troop. As a Girl Scout leader, you will embark on your own leadership journey as you help Girl Scouts develop the leadership skills they’ll use to make the world a better place. Here are a few basic concepts that outline what leadership means in Girl Scouting.

Leadership is teaching your Girl Scouts:

That they can do and be anything!
That they are decision makers and should own their decisions.
How to live the Girl Scout Law by modeling it for them.

As a leader, see yourself as a coach who:

Advises, discusses, and cheers on your troop, not as a teacher with a planned lesson or activity but as a mentor and coach.
Ensures each member understands and can carry out their responsibilities within the troop.
Encourages Girl Scouts to build their skills and their ethics.
Gives more responsibilities to Girl Scouts as they grow and develop.

It is important to remember that:

You cannot know everything that your Girl Scouts might ever want to learn.
You’ll explore and learn alongside your Girl Scouts and grow your confidence in the process.
You’re not expected to know everything about Girl Scouting, but you should know where to go for information—and to ask for help when you need it.

Your Responsibilities as a Girl Scout Volunteer toggle arrow

Your responsibilities as a Girl Scout volunteer include:

Accepting the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Understanding and coaching Girl Scouts Three Keys to Leadership—discover, connect, and take action—that are the basis of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
Sharing your knowledge, experience, and skills with a positive and flexible approach.
Working in a partnership with your Girl Scouts so that their activities are Girl Scout-led and that they learn by doing, individually and as a group. You’ll also partner with other volunteers and council staff for support and guidance.
Organizing fun, interactive, Girl Scout-led activities that address relevant issues and match your Girl Scouts' interests and needs.
Providing guidance and information regarding Girl Scout group meetings with troop families on a regular and ongoing basis through a variety of tools, including email, phone calls, newsletters, blogs, other forms of social media, and any other method you choose.
Processing and completing registration forms and other paperwork, such as permission slips.
Communicating effectively and delivering clear, organized, and vibrant presentations or information to an individual or the group.
Overseeing with honesty, integrity, and careful record-keeping the funds that Girl Scouts raise.
Maintaining a close connection to your volunteer support team as well as your council.
Facilitating a safe experience for every Girl Scout.

Planning for Your First Troop Meeting toggle arrow

Depending on the ages of your Girl Scouts, you might take the lead in guiding the structure and experiences of your troop—from how and when meetings are held to how the troop communicates, from steering Girl Scout-led activities to setting financial expectations. You’ll make these decisions collaboratively with your volunteer team or co-leader, as well as with input from the Girl Scouts and their caregivers.

Use the questions below to guide your conversations with your troop committee volunteers or co-leader before discussing these topics with caregivers.

When will we meet and for how long? How frequently should we schedule troop meetings?
Where will we meet? Your meeting space should be somewhere safe, clean, and secure that allows all Girl Scouts to participate. Some great meeting space ideas include schools, places of worship, libraries, and community centers. If working with teens, consider meeting at coffee shops, bookstores, or another place they enjoy.
Which components of the uniform will families need to purchase? Which uniform components will the troop provide for each Girl Scout?

Will our troop be a single-grade level or facilitated as a multi-level troop with Girl Scouts of many grade levels combined into one troop? If multi-level, how will we make sure they each get an age-appropriate experience?
How will we keep troop activities and decisions Girl Scout-led? Use the Volunteer Toolkit to help you through this process by exploring options for activities and reviewing the meeting plans and resource lists.
How often are we going to communicate with troop families? Which channels will we use to keep families in the loop? Effective communication will help set expectations and clarify caregiver responsibilities.
Will our troop charge dues, use product program proceeds, and/or charge per activity? How much money will we need to cover supplies and activities? What should our financial plan look like?

Choosing a Meeting Place toggle arrow

What makes a great meeting space? It depends on your troop, but here are a few considerations as you visit potential locations:

Cost. The space should be free to use.
Size. Make sure the space is large enough for the whole group and all planned activities.
Availability. Be sure the space is available for the day and the entire length of time you want to meet.

Resources. Ask if tables and chairs come with the room and ensure that the lighting is adequate. A bonus would be a cubby of some sort where you could store supplies or a safe outdoor space for activities.
Safety. Potential spaces must be safe, secure, clean, properly ventilated, heated (or cooled, depending on your location), free from hazards, and have at least two exits that are well-marked and fully functional. Also be sure first-aid equipment is on hand.
Facilities. It goes without saying, but make sure that toilets are sanitary and accessible.
Communication-Friendly. Check for cell reception in the potential space and whether Wi-Fi is available.
Allergen-Free. Ensure that pet dander and other common allergens won’t bother susceptible Girl Scouts during meetings.

Accessibility. Your space should accommodate Girl Scouts with disabilities as well as caregivers with disabilities who may come to meetings.

Need a few talking points to get the conversation started? Try…

“I’m a Girl Scout volunteer with a group of [number of troop members] Girl Scouts. We’re doing lots of great things for youth and for the community, like [something your troop is doing] and [something else your troop is doing]. We’re all about leadership—the kind that youth use in their daily lives and the kind that makes our community better. We’d love to hold our meetings here because [reason why you’d like to meet there]."

Stuck and need additional support? Contact your council or your service unit support team for help with a troop meeting place.

Virtual Meetings
If your group or troop can’t meet in person or hold a traditional meeting, there are so many ways to bring the power of Girl Scouting home! Meeting virtually can be a fun, engaging option for your troop.

Before setting up a virtual meeting, you’ll want to:

Partner with troop families to make sure Girl Scouts are safe online.
Select a meeting platform that allows families who may not have internet access to call in.
Think about logistics: work with your Girl Scouts to set up ground rules; consider how you’ll incorporate in-person meeting traditions in your virtual space, and how you’ll keep the meeting on track.
Talk with families on how to keep activities youth-led  if your Girl Scouts will be completing them from home.

And don't worry if they want to use a web or social platform you’re not as familiar with, because you’ll learn alongside them! For more tips on successful virtual meetings, check out our virtual troop meeting management guidance and resources compiled below.

Girl Scout Troop Size toggle arrow

The troop size “sweet spot” is large enough to provide an interactive and cooperative learning environment and small enough to encourage individual development. Though the ideal troop size is 12 Girl Scouts, we recommend that groups be no fewer and no larger than:

Girl Scout Daisies: 5–12
Girl Scout Brownies: 10–20
Girl Scout Juniors 10–25
Girl Scout Cadettes: 5–25
Girl Scout Seniors: 5–30
Girl Scout Ambassadors: 5–30

A Girl Scout troop/group must have a minimum of five Girl Scouts and two approved adult volunteers. Be sure to double-check the volunteer-to-Girl Scout ratio table below to make sure you have the right number of adults present for group meetings, events, travel, and camping. Adults and youth registering in groups of fewer than five youth and two approved, unrelated adult volunteers, at least one of whom is female, will be registered as individual Girl Scouts to accurately reflect their status and program experience. Individual Girl Scouts are always welcome to participate in Girl Scout activities and events.

Knowing How Many Volunteers You Need toggle arrow

From troop meetings to camping weekends and cookie booths, adult volunteers must always be present to ensure Girl Scouts have fun and stay safe, no matter their grade level. If you are not sure about the number of adults you will need for your activity, the chart below breaks down the minimum number of volunteers needed to supervise a specific number of Girl Scouts; your council may also establish maximums due to size or cost restrictions, so be sure to check with them as you plan your activity.

Safety in Girl Scouting toggle arrow

The emotional and physical safety and well-being of Girl Scouts is our top priority. Safety Activity Checkpoints outlines the Safety Standards and Guidelines used in Girl Scouting, which apply to all Girl Scout activities. All volunteers should review the Safety Activity Checkpoints manual when planning activities with Girl Scouts in order to manage safety and risk in Girl Scout-sanctioned activities.

For current health guidelines, check your local council’s version of Safety Activity Checkpoints.

In Safety Activity Checkpoints, you will find:

Girl Scouts Safety Standards and Guidelines, which apply to all Girl Scout activities, including requirements for adult supervision, permission slips, preparation, field trips and overnight trips, and other vital information.
Activities that are not permitted by Girl Scouts of the USA and actions that Girl Scouts and volunteers should not take.
Policies surrounding chartered aircraft trips and aviation.
First aid and overall health information.
Standards for well-being and inclusivity along with ways to include Girl Scouts with disabilities and ways to ensure Girl Scouts’ emotional safety.

Individual safety activity checkpoints for specific activities—such as camping, internet use, and water sports that provide activity-specific safety information.

The document is laid out in three primary sections, Safety Standards and Guidelines, Activities at a Glance, and individual safety activity checkpoint pages.

Girl Scouts’ Activities at a Glance table provides a quick look at the safety standards for that activity with a focus on two critical points to keep in mind when considering and planning activities for your troop:

age-appropriate activities and participation by grade level, and
whether prior approval from your council is required before Girl Scouts participate in a specific activity.

Individual Safety Activity Checkpoint pages provide activity-specific safety measures and guidance on the individual activities that troops and Girl Scouts may choose to participate in.

Registering Youth and Adults in Girl Scouting toggle arrow

Every participant (youth or adult) in Girl Scouting must register and become a member of Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA). GSUSA membership dues are valid for one year. Membership dues cannot be transferred to another member and are not refundable.

Preregistration for the upcoming membership year occurs in the spring. Girl Scouts are encouraged to register early to avoid the fall rush. Early registration allows for uninterrupted receipt of forms and materials from the council, helps Girl Scouts and councils plan ahead, and gets Girl Scouts excited about all the great things they want to do as Girl Scouts next year. A Girl Scout’s grade level is determined by the current membership year beginning October 1.

Lifetime membership is available to anyone who accepts the principles and beliefs of the Girl Scout Promise and Law, pays the one-time lifetime membership fee, and is at least 18 years old (or a high school graduate or equivalent). Volunteers with ten or more years of service can become lifetime members at the discounted young alum rate.

Adding New Girl Scouts to Your Troop toggle arrow

Growing your troop is a great way to share the power of the Girl Scout experience and there are many ways to get the word out, like hanging posters at your Girl Scout's school, using social media to reach families in your community, or including your troop in your council’s Opportunity Catalog or Troop Catalog.

Creating an Atmosphere of Acceptance and Inclusion toggle arrow

Girl Scouts is for every girl and gender-expansive youth, and that’s why we embrace Girl Scouts of all abilities and backgrounds with a specific and positive philosophy of inclusion that benefits everyone. Each Girl Scout—regardless of socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, physical or cognitive ability, sexual orientation, primary language, or religion—is an equal and valued member of the group, and groups reflect the diversity of the community.

We believe inclusion is an approach and an attitude, rather than a set of guidelines. Inclusion is about belonging and all Girl Scouts being offered the same opportunities with respect, dignity, and celebration of their unique strengths. It’s about being a sibling to every Girl Scout. You’re accepting and inclusive when you:

Welcome every Girl Scout and focus on building community.
Emphasize cooperation instead of competition.
Provide a safe and socially comfortable environment for Girl Scouts.
Teach respect for, understanding of, and dignity toward all Girl Scouts and their families.
Actively reach out to Girl Scouts and families who are traditionally excluded or marginalized.
Foster a sense of belonging to community as a respected and valued peer.
Honor the intrinsic value of each person’s life.

If you have questions about accommodating an individual Girl Scout, please reach out to your council.

As you think about where, when, and how often to meet with your group, consider the needs, resources, safety, and beliefs of all members and potential members. Include the special needs of any members who have disabilities or whose caregivers have disabilities. But please, do not rely on visual cues to inform you of a disability; approximately 20 percent of the U.S. population has a disability—that’s one in five people of every socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, and religion.

If you want to find out what a Girl Scout with a disability needs to make their Girl Scout experience successful, simply ask them or their caregiver. If you are open and honest, they’ll likely respond in kind, creating an atmosphere that enriches everyone.

It’s important for all Girl Scouts to be rewarded based on their best efforts—not on the completion of a task. Give any Girl Scout the opportunity to do their best, and they will! Sometimes that means changing a few rules or approaching an activity in a more creative way. Here are some examples of ways to modify activities:

Invite a Girl Scout to complete an activity after they've observed others doing it.

If you are visiting a museum to view a sculpture, find out if a Girl Scout who is blind might be given permission to touch the pieces.
If an activity requires running, a Girl Scout who is unable to run could be asked to walk or do another physical movement.

Focus on a person’s abilities—on what they can do rather than on what they cannot. In that spirit, use people-first language that puts the person before the disability.

When interacting with a Girl Scout or caregiver with a disability, consider these tips:

When talking to a Girl Scout with a disability, speak directly to them, not through a family member or friend.
It’s okay to offer assistance to a Girl Scout with a disability, but wait until your offer is accepted before you begin to help. Listen closely to any instructions the person may have.
Leaning on a Girl Scout's wheelchair is invading their space and is considered annoying and rude.

When speaking to a Girl Scout who is deaf and using an interpreter, speak to the Girl Scout, not to the interpreter.
When speaking for more than a few minutes to a Girl Scout who uses a wheelchair, place yourself at eye level.
When greeting a Girl Scout with a visual disability, always identify yourself and others. You might say, “Hi, it’s Sheryl. Tara is on my right, and Chris is on my left.”

Registering Girl Scouts with Cognitive Disabilities toggle arrow

Girl Scouts with cognitive disabilities can be registered as closely as possible to their chronological ages. They wear the uniform of that grade level. Make any adaptations for them to ongoing activities of the grade level to which the group belongs. Young adults with cognitive disorders may choose to retain their youth membership through their twenty-first year and then move into an adult membership category.

Getting Support for Your Troop toggle arrow

Just as your Girl Scouts rally around each other for support, you will also have a dedicated Girl Scout support team, consisting of council staff and passionate volunteers like you. Your support team, which may be called a service unit at your council, is ready to offer local learning opportunities and advice as well as answer your questions about the Girl Scout program, working with youth, product sales, and much more.

Before you hold your first troop meeting with Girl Scouts, consider the support and people resources you’ll need to cultivate an energizing troop experience. Caregivers, friends, family, and other members of the community have their own unique strengths and can provide time, experience, and ideas to a troop, so get them involved from the very beginning as part of your volunteer troop team. This team is made up of troop leaders (like you) and troop committee volunteers.

Your troop committee volunteers are the extra set of eyes, ears, and hands that help the troop safely explore the world around them. Depending on your troop’s needs, they can play a more active role—for instance, someone can step up as a dedicated troop treasurer—or simply provide an occasional helping hand when you need to keep a meeting activity on track.

If a caregiver isn’t sure if they can commit to a committee or co-leader role, encourage them to try volunteering in a smaller capacity that matches their skill set. Just like your young Girl Scouts, once troop caregivers discover they can succeed in their volunteer role, they’ll feel empowered to volunteer again.

Troop Management Tools and Resources toggle arrow

From toolkits and guides to regular contact with experienced individuals, you’ll have all the support you need to be a Girl Scout volunteer. Here’s a list of some important resources you’ll want to check out.

The Volunteer Toolkit

With the Volunteer Toolkit, Girl Scouts and leaders can explore meeting topics and program activities together and follow the fun as they plan their Girl Scout year. Using the Volunteer Toolkit:

Troop Leaders can:

Plan the troop’s calendar year and meeting schedule.
Email caregivers with one click.
View the troop roster, renew Girl Scouts' memberships, and update Girl Scouts' contact information.
View meeting plans for Journeys and badges, including suggested tracks for multi-level groups (K–5 and 6–12).
Customize meeting agendas to fit your troop.
Explore individual meeting plans that show a breakdown of every step, including a list of materials needed, editable time allotments for each activity within a meeting, and printable meeting aids.
Record attendance at meetings and their troop’s badge and Journey achievements.
Add council or custom events to the troop’s calendar.
Submit troop finance reports (depending on the council’s process).
Easily locate both national and local council resources, such as Safety Activity Checkpoints.

Caregivers can:

View the troop’s meeting schedule and individual meeting plans to stay up to date on the badges and Journeys the troop is working on.
Renew their memberships and update their contact information.
View their Girl Scout’s attendance and achievements.
See upcoming events the troop is planning or attending.
Easily locate both national and local council resources.
View the troop’s finance report (depending on the council’s process).

Additional Tools and Resources

Safety Activity Checkpoints: Safety is paramount in Girl Scouting, and Safety Activity Checkpoints contains everything you need to know to help keep your Girl Scouts safe during a variety of exciting activities outside of their regular Girl Scout troop meetings.

Tips for Troop Leaders: When you’re looking for real-world advice from fellow troop leaders who've been there, this volunteer-to-volunteer resource on the Girl Scouts of the USA website has what you need for a successful troop year.

Girl Scout Volunteers in Your Community: Remember that Girl Scout support team we mentioned? You’ll find them in your service unit! Troops are organized geographically into service units or communities. You’ll find a local network of fellow leaders and administrative volunteers ready to offer tips and advice to help you succeed in your volunteer role.

Customer Care Contacts. Questions? Need help resolving an issue? We'd love to hear from you! Contact our customer care team at 1(800) 541-9852 or customercare@girlscoutsww.org.

Take Advantage of Learning Opportunities toggle arrow

We know that when you have the knowledge and skills you need to manage your Girl Scouts, both you and your troop will thrive. Contact your council to ask about ongoing learning opportunities that will help you grow your skills and confidence.

Know How Much You are Appreciated toggle arrow

What begins with Girl Scouts speaking up at a troop meeting can go all the way to speaking in front of their city council for a cause they champion—and they will have your support to thank for that. Your volunteer role makes a powerful difference. Thank you for all you do.

Just as you’ll receive support throughout your volunteer experience, when you reach the end of the term you signed up for, you’ll talk with your support team about the positive parts of your experience as well as the challenges you faced, and you’ll discuss whether you want to return to this position or try something new. The end of your troop year, camp season, overseas trip, or series/event session is just the beginning of your next adventure with Girl Scouts!

If you’re ready for more opportunities, be sure to let your council support team know how you’d like to be a part of Girl Scouts’ lives in the future—whether in the same position or in other, flexible ways. Are you ready to organize a series or event? Take a trip? Work with Girl Scouts at camp? Work with a troop as a yearlong volunteer? Share your skills at a council office, working behind the scenes? The possibilities are endless and can be tailored to fit your skills and interests.

Volunteer Appreciation
Without our passionate and dedicated volunteers, there would be no Girl Scouting. That’s why we celebrate National Volunteer Month every April and turn up the party as we ring in National Girl Scout Leader’s Day on April 22.

Girl Scouts also celebrates National Volunteer Week, which falls during the third week of April. What can we say, we love our volunteers!

Learn more about volunteer appreciation on our website.

Girl Scout Participation in Activities with Other Scouting Organizations toggle arrow

The decision by Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to open the Boy Scout program to girls has fundamentally altered the nature of the relationship between BSA and Girl Scouts nationally and locally. Local relationships between BSA and Girl Scout councils that have led to partnerships and joint activities in the past may now create certain risks or challenges for Girl Scouts. For this reason, councils are encouraged to avoid joint recruiting and/or joint participation in community events or activities.

Marketplace Confusion
To protect the integrity of the Girl Scout brand and reinforce our programming as unique and best in class, we must ensure that we take care that the activities in which Girl Scouts participate are exclusive to the Girl Scout program, are safe and Girl Scout-led, and are conducted under the appropriate supervision of Girl Scouts.

Protecting Use of Girl Scout Materials
Girl Scout materials are intended for the exclusive use of Girl Scouts and are protected as the intellectual property of Girl Scouts of the USA. Materials include but are not limited to: Girl Scout logo, tag lines, and/or program and badge requirements.

Three Girl Scouts examine an open gray laptop with a green Trefoil on the back with an adult volunteer wearing a jean shirt standing behind them.

Update Your Troop Information

Updating your troop information helps new members join. Want to open your troop to new members?

LEARN MORE

Two Girl Scouts working at a desk. One is writing on a yellow notepad and the other is using a calculator.

Meeting Spaces and Equipment Depot

Browse available no-cost equipment to rent and spaces to book for meetings or activities.

LEARN MORE

Virtual Troop Meeting Management

Browse these resources for guidance on coordinating virtual gatherings with your Girl Scouts.

Getting Started with Virtual Meetings toggle arrow

So you are hosting a Virtual Girl Scout Experience?

What you need to know…

Youth: Adult Ratio

While Girl Scout’s Safety Activity Checkpoints lists a required youth to adult ratio to be maintained at Girl Scout meetings or events, this ratio is not applicable in a virtual setting. However, it is important that we continue to adhere to having two unrelated adults present when holding Girl Scout events virtually.

The Volunteer’s Responsibilities:

Set it Up. The volunteer should be the one to initiate, set up, and invite youth members to a virtual Girl Scout experience.

Pick the Platform. Choose a platform that is publicly recognized, reported about as favorable or transparent about their issues, and have taken steps to correct them.

Help Protect Privacy. Protecting youth and adult privacy in a virtual setting may include: keeping personal background space invisible or obscured, keeping photos and images of youth secured from public viewing, keeping meeting lines set to private, and making sure to protect personal email addresses or passwords.

Facilitate Fun. Facilitate the meeting/event with a focus on fun and connection.

Tips for Success:

Set Expectations. Treat the first meeting/event as you would any meeting and create a group agreement with them to set expectations and ground rules.

Keep it youth-led. Having youth take the lead is more important than ever. When they’re engaged and empowered to make decisions, they gain a sense of control through this uncertain time.

Aim for Fun, Not Perfection. They are not expecting perfection from you; your time, attention, and guidance are the most important role you play in this virtual setting.

Download This Virtual Meeting Plan Template.

Activities for Virtual Meetings toggle arrow

Watch:

Troop 57749 Singing Make New Friends During Virtual Troop Meeting.

More Activities:

Virtual Ice Breakers and Games
Hosting a Virtual 30-Minute Virtual Girl Scout Meeting (Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusets)

Incorporating Traditions into Virtual Meetings toggle arrow

Watch:

Get inspired with ideas from Girl Scouts of Nassau County on how to incorporate long-standing Girl Scout traditions into virtual meetings.

Virtual Bridging Ceremonies

Virtual Bridging Ideas and Resources (Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW Missouri)
Bridging at a Distance (USA Girl Scouts Overseas)

Tools for Managing Troops: Scheduling, Messaging, and File Management toggle arrow

Name	Why Use the Tool	Specific Feature Highlights	Support
TroopTrack	Why TroopTrack?	Girl Scout Troop Features	Support Website
Band	Why Band?	Example Case	Support Website
TeamSnap	Why TeamSnap?	Managing Teams	Support Website
Spond	Why Spond?	Frequently Asked Questions	Support Website
Teams	Why Teams?	Five Things To Do First	Support Website
Discord	Why Discord?	Download	Support Website

Tools for Hosting Online Video Meetings toggle arrow

Name	Get Started	Managing Meetings	Support
Zoom	Scheduling Meetings	Start a Meeting	Support Website
Skype	Free Features	Start a Meeting	Support Website
WebEx	Getting Started	Start a Meeting	Support Website
Google Meet	Getting Started	Start a Meeting	Support Website
GoTo Meeting	Getting Started	Start a Meeting	Support Website

Tools to Communicate Via Text, Images, and Emojis toggle arrow

Name	Why Use the Tool	Resources	Support
Facebook Groups	Features	Resources for Group Admins	Support Website
GroupMe	Why GroupMe?	Start a Group	Support Website

Things to Consider When Selecting Virtual Meeting Tools toggle arrow

How many people will be using the tool? Some tools are better for larger groups than others.

What age are your participants? Often social media and collaboration tools online are designed for people aged 13 or above. Parents may have to manage accounts for younger members if using many tools. Check the terms of service for the products to see what is needed here.

What tools are your participants already comfortable with? Using understood tools can make adoption easier and reduce technical issues.

An all-in-one tool can be easier to get up and running over multiple separate tools. If you want to be able to chat in text, video conference, and store files, select something that can do all or most of what you want rather than having multiple tools for different pieces. Not switching back and forth will save on frustration.

gsZoom

What is gsZoom?

gsZoom is an online tool, utilizing the Zoom platform, for Girl Scout volunteers that will help our members conduct audio and video conferences for Girl Scout activities and events.

Who can get a gsZoom account?

gsZoom is available to all registered, background-checked Girl Scout volunteers needing a virtual platform for Girl Scout activities.

How do I get a gsZoom account?

Complete the 4 steps below

Sign up through our “PURCHASE ONLY- gsZoom License for Volunteers” event. Complete your registration including submitting the gsZoom terms of use and agreement.
Finalize your payment through the event.
Wait up to 5 business days. We will create your account and then you will receive an email from Zoom with instructions to complete your account setup.  
You're good to go! You may review our gsLearn module  “gsZoom for Volunteers” for additional training and resources for using Zoom and running virtual meetings. Be sure to reference the Troop Leader Blueprint for additional resources.

Volunteer Learning Facilitators:

Licenses and account requests will be handled internally by the Volunteer Learning Team.

How do I use gsZoom?

Here are some helpful resources for getting started and navigating the gsZoom tool.

How To’s and Instructions:

Check out the Girl Scouts Connected and Zoom for Girl Scouts courses in gsLearn for deeper learning.
Zoom has a robust support site with videos and step-by-step guides to using Zoom. Or check out some direct links to common topics below.

Process Support:

Having trouble making a request via gsLearn or other administrative gsZoom questions? Contact Customer Care at 1(800) 541-9852 or customercare@girlscoutsww.org.

Local Support and Training for Virtual Meetings toggle arrow

These training materials and resources will make this troop year easier. Start exploring!

Girl Scouts Connected: This course walks you through the virtual meeting decision process and creation of a virtual plan and provides tips and best practices for virtual meetings.

GSUSA Zoom for Girl Scouts: From setting up a Zoom account to using the meeting tools in Zoom, this course will guide you through learning how to use Zoom for meetings.

Spotlight Program: Continue your education as an experienced leader. Discover practical strategies to try with your girl scouts in areas of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), Youth-Led, Cooperative Learning, and Learning by Doing!

Also, don’t forget to check out our Volunteer Virtual Conferences and Live workshop sessions on our events page!

Virtual Meeting Planning Tools toggle arrow

Check out these tried-and-true resources from fellow troop leaders who successfully adapted their meetings for in-person-safe and virtual settings.

Meeting Facilitation: