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Volunteer Training

We know volunteers are what makes the Girl Scout Experience so memorable. For our volunteers, we provide trainings that will open up new experiences, help lead troops, take girls camping, go on trips, and engage in exciting activities.

First Year Troop Leaders, Admins, Program Guides
Required New Leader Orientation

This online, staff led, webinar is for all volunteers that are new to a Troop Leader, Admin, or Program Guide role. You will learn about GSNEO policies, standards, guidelines, understanding your resources, and who to contact for help. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and learn about important next steps for the upcoming months to help keep your new troop active, supported, and informed.

Where to Find it: New Leader Orientation Webinar

Time Requirement: approximately 1.5 hours (online)

Pre-requisites: None

Fee: FREE

Required New Troop Training (gsLearn)

gsLearn gives volunteers access to online learning opportunities for all their training needs. Learning modules are available for new Leaders, Admins, and Program Guides to get oriented and additional learning is available for all program levels of troop leadership. Learn at your own pace and track your accomplishments! Go to gsLearn.

New Troop Training – for Troop Leaders, Admins, and Program Guides
Time Requirement: approximately 3.5 hours
Course Content

  • Intro to GSNEO
  • GSUSA Foundation 1: The Girl Scout Way
  • GSUSA Foundation 2: The Girl Scout Leadership Experience
  • GSUSA Foundation 3: Well-Being and Development
  • GSUSA Foundation 4: Understanding Troop Operations
  • GSUSA Girl Scouts in the Outdoors
  • Review Volunteer Resources

Money Matters Training Modules – for volunteers who are bank account signers
Time Requirement: approximately 3 hours
Course Content

  • Opening your Troop Bank Account
  • Managing Money
  • Financial Reporting
  • Money Earning
  • Finance Report Training
About gsLearn
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gsLearn is Girl Scouts’ official online and on-demand training forum. It empowers users to complete training as it works best
for them.

GSNEO will still offer in-person and hybrid training for required hands-on courses, such as Outdoor Essentials, Outdoor Overnight Experience, First Aid/CPR/AED, and other specialized volunteer roles. Volunteers can register for these in-person training sessions through the Events Calendar.

New Modules added all the time!

We are continuously adding courses for other volunteer categories and enrichment topics.

Accessibility

gsLearn is accessible from your desktop/laptop computer that is connected to the internet, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can access gsLearn by logging into your My GS account.

If you have any difficulties, please contact customercare@gsneo.org.

>>Go to gsLearn Now!

>>Report a Problem with Online Training

Prepare for a Troop Adventure
Required Outdoor Essentials

Is your troop ready to plan their first cabin campout experience? Discover how to guide your troop through planning and executing an outdoor experience. Gain essential resources and knowledge needed to take the girls on a simple hike and camping trip.

GSNEO offers 3 different types of Outdoor Essential trainings to get you ready for your camping adventure! Each training offers a different level of comfortability with camping, please review the 3 options, and pick a class you believe best fits you and your comfort level.

Outdoor Essentials All Day: This streamlined training will go over the Safety Activity Checkpoints as it relates to this outdoor activity and seasoned volunteers will share camping tips, techniques, and tricks that will build your knowledge and confidence. This all-day, required training is lots of fun and covers everything from fire building, tying knots, campfire cooking, and more.

Where to Find it: Outdoor Essentials events

Time Requirement: 8 hours in-person

Pre-requisites: None

Fee: $15.00

Blended Outdoor Essentials: Just like our all-day training but we combined pre-course online-prep work with a real-in-person skills challenge class. This streamlined training will go over the Safety Activity Checkpoints as it relates to this outdoor activity and seasoned volunteers will share camping tips, techniques, and tricks that will build your knowledge and confidence. This Blended Learning style option for our traditional all-day, required training is lots of fun and covers everything from fire building, tying knots, campfire cooking, and more.

Where to Find it: Outdoor Essentials events

Time Requirement: approximately 3 hours online & 4 hours in-person

Pre-requisites: None

Fee: $15.00

Outdoor Essentials & Overnight: This training spans over two days and covers the traditional All Day Training material but also includes an overnight experience. This streamlined training will go over the Safety Activity Checkpoints as it relates to this outdoor activity and seasoned volunteers will share camping tips, techniques, and tricks that will build your knowledge and confidence. This Blended Learning style option for our traditional all-day, required training is lots of fun and covers everything from fire building, tying knots, campfire cooking, and more.

Where to Find it: Outdoor Essentials events

Time Requirement: 8+ hours (overnight)

Pre-requisites: None

Fee: $15.00

Required Trip & Travel

The "ins and outs" of troop trip planning are outlined in this informative course. Safety Activity Checkpoints, Girl Scout Insurance, and all required paperwork will be explained. This workshop is required for any troop planning an extended trip (three nights or more outside of the Council footprint). National and International guidelines will be discussed.

Note: GSNEO offers this training in person and online (now available in gsLearn under Content Library).

Where to Find it: Trip and Travel events

Time Requirement: 2 hours

Pre-requisites: None

Fee: FREE (online), $5.00 (in person)

Add on to Your Outdoor Skills

Are you looking to add onto your outdoor skills? We would like to invite you to take advantage of the variety of different classes.

Outdoor Essentials Overnight Experience: Put your Outdoor Essentials training into practice with this highly recommended course. When the sun goes down, the overnight fun begins… but remember, things look much different in the dark! Learn from experienced volunteers before your first overnight experience with your girls. The course covers building a campfire, Girl Scout songs, night hikes, nature activities and more. Please note, the completion of an Outdoor Essentials training is REQUIRED for this course. This course alone does NOT certify you.

Where to Find it: Outdoor Essentials events

Time Requirement: 8+ overnight

Pre-requisites: Outdoor Essentials Training

Fee: $10

Tents and Adirondack Camping- Overnight: Ready to move beyond having a kitchen when you camp? This course will help you take your girls to the next level of camping fun. We will share packing ideas, tips and tricks, and meal planning for getting into the great outdoors. Overnight a must, class skills will exceed into the night. Mess kit and camping chair a must. Due to social distancing single campers per tent or adirondack will be followed.

Where to Find it: Annual A.L.E Event

Time Requirement: 8+ overnight

Pre-requisites: Outdoor Essentials Training

Fee: $10

Leave No Trace: Leave No Trace's mission is to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through education, research, and partnerships. The Leave No Trace message is structured under seven principles. Learn how to introduce these principles through fun activities and games. Teach your girls a life skill to help improve the world around them.

Where to Find it: Annual A.L.E Event

Time Requirement: 2 hours

Pre-requisites: None

Fee: $5

Outdoor Cooking Classes: GSNEO has many different outdoor cooking classes to help advance your cooking skills and add an extra level of comfort to any campout.

  • Outdoor Cooking Gourmet
  • Outdoor Cooking Novelty
  • Outdoor Cooking Sampler
  • Stackable Dutch Ovens
  • Camp Kitchen
  • Getting Steamed About Cooking

Where to Find it: Annual A.L.E Event

First Aider Training

General First Aiders are required to be present for any troop activities beyond a regular troop meeting. Girl Scouts of North East Ohio (GSNEO) strongly encourages all troops to have a general first-aider present at all times. GSNEO volunteer trainers make this certification accessible and affordable for our members.

GSNEO is required to follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) policy when it comes to our First Aid Certificates. Because of this, GSNEO requires all student certifications to have an in-person training skills test. We cannot accept Online Only certifications.

First Aid CPR/AED offered by GSNEO

GSNEO volunteer trainers offer a Blended Adult and Pediatric First Aid CPR/AED classes for our members at a reduce price of $25.00. Our Adult and Pediatric First Aid CPR/AED class is a 2-year certification.

Where to Find it: First Aid events

Time Requirement: approximately 3 hours online & approximately 2.5-3 hours in-person

Pre-requisites: None

Fee: $25.00

First Aid CPR/AED offered by Independent Providers

First Aid/CPR/AED courses are often offered through local community providers. Prior to enrolling, be sure to verify which providers and courses are acceptable. A list of approved First Aid/CPR/AED providers and certifications can be found HERE.

Note: Pricing is determined by the independent providers and can vary. Remember, because this certification is for the troop you are able to use troop funds to cover the cost.

Certified Healthcare Providers

Advanced First Aider. An Advanced First Aider is an adult with general first aid/CPR certification PLUS additional health, safety or emergency response expertise such as: a physician; physician’s assistant; nurse practitioner; registered nurse; licensed practical nurse; paramedic; military medic; certified lifeguard; emergency medical technician (EMT); or have wilderness training. They can serve as a First Aider without taking additional training.

If you are an Advanced First Aider, please make sure you are sending in your certification(s) so we can have it on file. Check out our equivalency chart.

Sending Over Your Certification

Please send your certifications or proof of advance certifications to customercare@gsneo.org We will be able to add this to your file.

Adult Learning Experience (A.L.E.)

A.L.E is the place where GSNEO volunteers go to learn more about everything Girl Scouts! With classes brought to you by fellow volunteers and staff members, you will be sure to find something for yourself to enjoy and to enrich your troop’s experience. This is an annual event that takes place within the second weekend of August.

Check out our A.L.E webpage!

Featured course categories include:

  • STEM
  • Outdoor Skills
  • Personal Development
  • Ceremonies & Traditions
  • Program Certifications

Enjoy networking with fellow Girl Scout volunteers in a creative learning environment. Expand your colorful Girl Scout world with hands-on experiences you won’t find anywhere else. Before you know it, you will be radiating positive vibes, trainings, and knowledge you can share with your troop and other adult volunteers all year long.

GSNEO Equipment Rental Classes (Required)

If you are looking to take your troop to any of our three camps and wish to use any of the camps amenities, we offer trainings so you can become verified to use the equipment like:

Blended Archery Level 1 Practical Certification: Come spend the afternoon at camp and learn everything you need to know about taking your girls on the archery range rain or shine! This class will teach you the basics about safety, equipment usage, and fun of bringing your girls out on the range. This all-new blended format will begin with a 30-minute zoom call with your instructor before the approximately 4 hours of online modules that will need to be completed through US Archery. After passing the online test, you will partake in your 4 hours of in person training at the range. The in-person class will be completed at one of the GSNEO properties for the practical portion of the test. Passing these two requirements will provide you with a 3-year Level 1 Archery certification from US Archery.

Where to Find it: Annual A.L.E Event

Time Requirement: approximately 3 hours online & 4 hours in-person

Pre-requisites: None

Fee: $45.00

Blended Small Craft Water Safety Level 1: Canoeing is a great team-building activity and an enjoyable and relaxing way to experience the outdoors. This course will expose participants to basic water safety and paddling skills for tandem canoeing on flat water. Participants must complete all requirements to the satisfaction the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio to pass the training, allowing you to take Girl Scouts canoeing on any flat water lake on GSNEO properties. This new blended content will consist of 2 hours of online pre-work which will be assigned to you in gsLearn and a 4-hour skills assessment completed in person. After completion of this course, you will be an official Canoe Program Facilitator. All Program Facilitators are required to run 4 Girl Scout Programs a year to remain active.

This course does require you to get wet, please dress appropriately and wear closed toe shoes.

NOTE: This certification enables you to facilitate programs at all three GSNEO camp properties only.

Where to Find it: Annual A.L.E Event

Time Requirement: 2 hours online & 4 hours in-person

Pre-requisites: None

Fee: $15.00

Low Ropes: A Low Ropes Challenge Course is a challenging outdoor personal development and team building activity. By using cables, ropes, and wooden beams strung among trees or poles, teams of girls explore risk taking, leadership, physical challenges, and communication. The Low Ropes Challenge Course also highlights problem-solving, coaching, and collaboration. This course is by invitation only and has an application with a interview process. If you are interested in becoming a GSNEO Low Ropes Challenge Course Facilitator, please email training@gsneo.org for the application. NOTE: This certification enables you to facilitate programs at all three GSNEO camp properties. This course is renewable for up to 3 years if you complete the council programs each year.

Where to Find it: Annual A.L.E Event

Time Requirement: 6 hours in-person

Pre-requisites: None

Fee: FREE

       

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