Age Level Training
Learn how to work with Girl Scouts of all age levels through our Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador trainings, available on gsLearn.
First Aid & CPR Training
First Aid/CPR certification is required whenever your troop ventures outside their regular meeting place. For field trips and overnight activities, you need to have at least one First Aid and CPR-certified adult member chaperone. GSHNJ offers a variety of First Aid and CPR trainings from both the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross at deeply discounted rates, however certification through a GSHNJ-sponsored training is not required. You can also use First Aid/CPR certifications through such organizations as
- American Red Cross
- National Safety Council
- EMP America
- American Heart Association
- American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI)
- Medic
- Local hospitals, rescue squads, YMCA’s or parks & rec departments
If you receive certification with an out-of-council provider, you are invited to upload your certificate into your gsLearn account under “Achievements” > “External Learning”.
CAUTION: Online First Aid & CPR certification courses are normally not accepted by GSHNJ or GSUSA. However, online courses may be necessary due to COVID-19 restrictions. The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross are no longer offering certification extensions or online extensions due to COVID-19. If considering a course that has online components, get pre-approval from info@gshnj.org prior to enrolling to ensure the training is acceptable.
Outdoors & Overnights Training
Our Outdoors & Overnights series prepares you and your girls for overnight adventures. You'll learn a variety of techniques that will make you confident to take your girls into the great outdoors. The following steps must be taken in order:
Step 1: Available on gsLearn, Outdoors and Overnights Step 1 prepares volunteers for overnights with Girl Scouts – in hotels, at museum or zoo sleepovers, or backyard campouts.
Step 2: Looking to advance your basic outdoor skills? This in-person training covers choosing equipment, setting up tents, knife and fire safety, knot skills and stick cookery (think hot dogs and marshmallows). You must first complete Outdoors and Overnights Step 1 to attend. NOTE: Plan to complete this course at least six months prior to your overnight or camporee so you have time to teach these new skills to your girls.
Step 3: Step up your outdoor cooking game with our most delicious outdoor training. In this in-person training, you'll prepare (and eat!) baked apples, pizza fondue, and more while learning to cook with a wood fire, charcoal, and a propane stove. You must first complete Outdoors and Overnights Steps 1 and 2 to attend.
To find an upcoming session of Outdoors and Overnights Step 2 and 3, search our Event List.
Be Prepared Trainings
Whether it’s learning to use the Volunteer Toolkit, getting ready to kick off a new Girl Scout year, or preparing for special ceremonies, our Be Prepared trainings give you the knowledge you need, when you need it most! Keep an eye on our events calendar for upcoming Be Prepared trainings. To find these trainings, please search for them on our Event List.
High Awards Trainings
Leaders of girls interested in pursuing Bronze or Silver Awards are required to complete training on gsLearn within two years of their troop starting the project. Look for our Bronze Award Training and Silver Award Training on gsLearn. For leaders of girls interested in the Gold Award, we strongly recommend you sit with your Girl Scouts to review our Gold Award Tutorial along with other helpful resources found on our Gold Award webpage.
Successful Leader Learning Series – Required
Available on gsLearn, this course provides an introduction to Girl Scouts. Volunteers will gain insight into how Successful Girl Scout Leaders: incorporate the ‘Girl Scout Way’; know and apply the Girl Scout Leadership Experience; create a safe, inclusive, girl-led space that embraces troop diversity; understand troop operations; begin guiding their Girl Scouts into outdoor activities.
Mandated Reported Training – Required
Available on gsLearn, this course reviews New Jersey’s Mandated Reporter law. Volunteers will learn signs of abuse and neglect to look out for – and how to place a report if need be.
Managing Your Troop Account – Required for Troop Treasurers
Available on gsLearn, this course walks leaders and Troop Treasurers through council guidelines for managing troop funds and your troop bank account.
Virtual Troop Meeting Trainings
If you plan to hold troop meetings virtually, we recommend these gsLearn trainings:
- Facilitating Virtual Troop Meetings
- Zoom for Volunteers
- Be Prepared: Virtual Troop Meetings
