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  1. Members
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  3. Volunteer Essentials

Volunteer Essentials

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  • All About Girl Scouts
  • Troop Management
  • Troop Finances
  • Engaging Girl Scouts and Families
  • Creating a Safe Space for Girl Scouts
  • Product Program
  • Additional Resources and Support
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Welcome! 

As a volunteer, you’re not just helping—you’re inspiring. You’re a builder of community, a mentor, and a joyful guide who leads with kindness. Thanks to you, Girl Scouts of all ages will dream big, explore boldly, and make a real difference in the world. We’re so glad you’re here! 

These pages are designed to support you as a Girl Scout volunteer. From Girl Scout basics to managing your troop, we’ve got you covered! We recommend that you begin by browsing the sections below and return throughout the year to find answers to your questions as they arise. 

2026-2028 Volunteer Essentials 

two girl scout juniors outside wearing junior vest uniform smiling two girl scout juniors outside wearing junior vest uniform smilingtwo girl scout juniors outside wearing junior vest uniform smiling
About Girl Scouts

Everything you need to know about Girl Scouts.

group of girl scouts looking at laptop computer with adult volunteer group of girl scouts looking at laptop computer with adult volunteergroup of girl scouts looking at laptop computer with adult volunteer
Troop Management

How to get started with your troop.

photo of calculator and girl scout cookie boxes photo of calculator and girl scout cookie boxesphoto of calculator and girl scout cookie boxes
Troop Finances

Learn money-earning basics.

mom with girl scout daughter and daisy bear mom with girl scout daughter and daisy bearmom with girl scout daughter and daisy bear
Troop Engagement

Connect with Girl Scouts and get their families involved with your troop.

young girl on skateboard at top of ramp with pink helmet elbow and knee pads young girl on skateboard at top of ramp with pink helmet elbow and knee padsyoung girl on skateboard at top of ramp with pink helmet elbow and knee pads
Creating a Safe Space

Keep Girl Scouts safe in every activity with these guidelines.

group of ambassador high school girl scouts at outdoor booth selling cookies group of ambassador high school girl scouts at outdoor booth selling cookiesgroup of ambassador high school girl scouts at outdoor booth selling cookies
Product Program

Guide Girl Scouts as they learn to think like entrepreneurs and develop business smarts.

A Girl Scout hugging her volunteer A Girl Scout hugging her volunteerA Girl Scout hugging her volunteer
Volunteer Appreciation

You make a powerful difference. We wouldn’t exist without volunteers like you.

group of ambassador high school girl scouts at outdoor booth selling cookies group of ambassador high school girl scouts at outdoor booth selling cookiesgroup of ambassador high school girl scouts at outdoor booth selling cookies
Resources & Support

Additional tools to help you along the way.


New troop leader?

Are you a new troop leader? We have a resource designed especially for you. Plus, council staff and volunteer coaches are ready to help throughout your first year and beyond! 


 

© Copyright 2009–2026 Girl Scouts of the United States of America.  All rights reserved. All information and material contained in Girl Scouts’ Volunteer Essentials guide (“Material”) is provided by Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) and is intended to be educational material solely to be used by Girl Scout volunteers and council staff. Reproduction, distribution, compiling, or creating derivative works of any portion of the Material or any use other than noncommercial uses as permitted by copyright law is prohibited, unless explicit, prior authorization by GSUSA in writing was granted. GSUSA reserves its exclusive right in its sole discretion to alter, limit, or discontinue the Material at any time without notice.

 
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