Start a Troop | Girl Scouts

New Leader Hub

Welcome to Girl Scouts!

Thank you for becoming a Girl Scout Troop Leader! You’re about to start an amazing journey—building confidence, friendship, and leadership skills in girls while creating memories that last a lifetime.

This landing page is your onboarding hub! Here, you’ll find the essential steps, resources, and guidance to help you feel confident as you get your troop started. Your dedicated New Member Specialist will be in regular contact to walk you through each step, and experienced local volunteers are also here to share their knowledge and support—ensuring you’re never alone on the journey.

Complete Safety Screenings Before Meeting with Girls

Learn About the Girl Scout Program

Open a Troop Bank Account

Book Your Meeting Location

New Leader Quick Links

Troop Year Plans to Preview Your Year

Step 1: Complete Safety Screenings Before Meeting with Girls toggle arrow

Girl and volunteer safety is our top priority. Before hosting any troop meetings, you and your Co-Leader(s) need to complete the required safety screenings and training, as outlined by Girl Scouts of Orange County and the State of California.

✅ Submit your Volunteer Agreement

✅ Complete a Background Screening

✅ California Requirement: Complete Fingerprinting

✅ California Requirement: Complete GSUSA New Leader: Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Course in our Girl Scout learning platform, gsLearn

Helpful Resources: Accessing gsLearn 

Step 2: Learn About the Girl Scout Program toggle arrow

Once your screenings are complete, it’s time to dive into what Girl Scouts is all about! These courses will prepare you to run troop meetings, explore the Girl Scout program, and handle troop finances. All orientation courses can be found in the New Leader Foundations pathway in gsLearn, our Girl Scout learning platform. 

✅ GSUSA New Leader: Girl Scout Leadership Experience (20 minutes)

✅ GSUSA New Leader: What Girl Scouts Do (15 minutes) Tip! You only need to complete the course for the level(s) in your troop!

✅ GSUSA New Leader: Troop Safety (15 minutes)

✅ GSUSA New Leader: Funding the Fun: Managing Girl Scout Troop Finances (15 minutes)

Helpful Resources: Exploring the Volunteer Toolkit, Girl Scout Experience Boxes for new K-3rd grade troops, Troop Year Plans and Girl Scout Program Levels 

Step 3: Open a Troop Bank Account toggle arrow

All troops need a dedicated bank account to manage troop funds such as troop dues and Cookie Program proceeds. Troops need at least two Leaders and a Troop Treasurer to open an account.  

✅ Recruit a Troop Treasurer if you haven’t already. Troop Treasurers must register as a volunteer, complete a background screening and take Funding the Fun: Managing Girl Scout Troop Finances orientation. 

✅ Select a bank and provide key details for troop banking paperwork. Your Service Unit Finance Coordinator will provide the necessary banking paperwork. Tip! We recommend banking with Farmers and Merchants Bank since they are familiar with Girl Scouts and offer no additional fees!

✅ Schedule an appointment and open your account

✅ Submit the Troop Banking Form to GSOC

Step 4: Host Your Family Kick-Off Meeting and Set Your Troop Meeting Schedule toggle arrow

This is your chance to connect with all troop families, build your troop support team, have families fill out key forms and finalize troop details like meeting schedule and location!

Many troops meet at schools, community centers, churches, or even homes. Wherever you choose, it’s important to confirm details and make sure your troop is covered under Girl Scout insurance.

Steps to book a non-GSOC space:

✅ Confirm that your preferred dates/times are available 

✅ Complete any facility paperwork but don’t sign yourself! Submit filled in paperwork to GSOC so we can sign and provide proof of insurance

✅ Once approved, send the signed paperwork to the facility 

✅ Update your meeting information in your myGS account 

If you are using a Girl Scouts Program Center, you can submit a reservation request. Program Centers are Girl Scout owned prperties where troops can host meetings and events, 

Helpful Meeting Location Resources: Girl Scout Program Centers,  Updating Troop Meeting Information in myGS

Helpful Family Meeting Resources : Family Kick-Off Meeting Guide, Health History and Annual Permission Slip,  Get to Know My Girl form.,  Family Interest Form,  Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities

New Leader Quick Links: 

🟣 GSOC Calendar of Events: Stay up to date and explore upcoming council events and activities.

🟣 Volunteer Essentials: A full comprehensive guide for Girl Scouts—covering safety guidelines, policies, procedures, and best practices to help you run your troop with confidence .

🟣 Girl Scout Resources Platforms: A simple overview of the key platforms available to you as a volunteer.

Girl Scout Experience Box

New Daisy & Brownie troop leaders from participating councils can receive complimentary monthly supplies delivered right to their door.

LET'S GO!

an illustration of a troop leader and the troop year plan PDFs

Preview Your Year

Our easy-to-follow Troop Year Plans are available for troops of all ages! Check out the fun that awaits you and your troop.

SEE PLANS