Volunteer Resources
Badges
7 Badges to Help Your Girls Get Civically Engaged
We all know Girl Scouts are leaders who display an admirable amount of courage, confidence, and character! For over 100 years, since our organization’s formation, our goal has been to help girls feel empowered as they raise their voices, take the lead, and create change. Whether they’re volunteering their time or coordinating their own service project, […]
How to Tie Knots: 10 Essential Knots for Girl Scouts
Rope, yarn, string, lacing cord, paracord, the things you can tie goes on and on. We’ve all tied our shoelaces, but knot tying is so much more than just looping some string and pulling really tight—it’s an essential skill for taking on the outdoors. In most outdoor activities, your safety relies on the accuracy of […]
Girl’s Guide to Badges and Skill Building
Girls at each Girl Scout grade level have their own earned awards and badges. When a Girl Scout earns a badge, it shows that she’s learned a new skill, such as how to make a healthy snack or take great digital photos. It may even spark an interest at school or plant the seed for […]
Celebrations
6 Fall-Themed Service Projects for Make a Difference Day
Girl Scouts make a difference every day – but there is one day a year when we get together with other difference makers around the nation and do something fun and unique for our community. On October 28, volunteers from across the country will participate in Make A Difference Day, one of the largest annual single-days of service nationwide. Since 1992, volunteers and communities have […]
7 Spring-Themed Service Projects for Girl Scouts of All Ages
Spring has officially sprung, and Girl Scouts everywhere are looking forward to more sunshine as summer approaches. But there’s more to do than soak up the sun—a Girl Scout’s work is never done! Bring a little light into someone’s life with these 7 springy service projects! Donate your old clothes Bring a whole new aspect […]
How to Celebrate the LGBTQ+ Community with Your Troop
Girl Scouts strives to empower girls—all girls—to accept and appreciate both themselves and others. Girl Scouts does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, national origin, or ability. When I first offered Girl Scout programming in support of the LGBTQ+ community, I encountered some resistance from other troop leaders, which […]
Ways to Celebrate Juliette Gordon Low’s Birthday
Every year, Girl Scouts around the world honor the memory of our founder, Juliette Gordon Low, on her birthday, October 31st. Some troops choose to celebrate the whole month, while others plan special events on or near the actual day of her birth, which is also known as Founder’s Day (and also happens to be […]
Finance
Troop Finance Report Instructions
Per IRS requirements for maintaining non-profit status, all active Girl Scouts of Northern California troops are required to complete a report each year detailing income and expenditure. Troop leaders and troop treasurers will complete the Annual Troop Finance Report using the Troop Finance Report (fillable form coming soon) for 2026. The reporting period is from June 1st to […]
Financial Aid Options
Girl Scouts of Northern California provides Financial Aid for membership, uniforms, events, and camp. Membership Dues: Membership dues are $70/year for youth and $30/year for adults. Girl Scouts of Northern California welcomes youth and volunteer members in any financial situation. Both new and returning members can apply for membership dues financial aid. Uniforms: Youth can request uniform aid, which includes […]
Pass-Through Gifts and Fiscal Sponsorship Defined
Pass-Through. When a donor designates a charitable gift to a specific service unit or troop, this gift is considered a pass-through, as it “passes through” the council’s administrative offices and then is directly awarded to the service unit or troop. Monetary donations of $250 or more must be received by the council to comply with IRS […]
Resources – Finance Reports
Troop Finance Reports Service Unit Finance Reports
Forms
Forms for Camp
This article gives information about the registration process of our three council-run camps: Camp Sugar Pine, Camp Hidden Falls, and Camp Bothin. For information about the registration process of our volunteer-run camps, please refer to that camp’s specific website. All required forms for camp can be found in the Forms & Documents section of your […]
Resources – Permission Forms
Permission Forms
What Girl Scout Troops Do
Troops make friends, build new skills, earn badges and awards, and have fun! What Troops Do To have a well-rounded Girl Scout experience, we encourage all troops to: Volunteer Resources MyGS, gsLearn & Volunteer Toolkit »Log in to MyGS to manage your Member Profile, access trainings through gsLearn, and manage your troop through the Volunteer Toolkit. […]
Resources – Entrepreneurship Program Forms
Entrepreneurship Program Forms
Governance
Council Governance Overview
Overview Membership engagement is a key part of Girl Scouts of Northern California’s strategy as we strive to honor the voice of our membership. Our governance system is comprised of elected and/or appointed delegates (age 14 and older) who serve as voting members of the council. Serving as a delegate is a key way for […]
Service Unit Delegate Roster – 2026
Below is the roster of service unit delegates for the 2026 Annual Meeting. The nomination period was November 1 – December 7, 2025. Service units with contested races will vote for their service unit delegate during the election period, January 5-20, 2026. The election results will be added to the roster by February 2026. Service […]
Service Unit Delegate Voter Guide – 2026
2026 Election The 2026 service unit delegate election will run January 5 – 20, 2026. Adult and youth members age 14 and older are eligible to elect delegates for their service unit. Service unit delegates (age 14 and older by the end of elections in January) serve a one-year term as a key communication link […]
Service Unit Delegate Allotment
GSNorCal’s Bylaws Article I, Section 4 a. Each Service Unit shall be entitled to elect one or more Service Unit Delegates based on the total number of Girls registered in the Service Unit, as of September 30 of the year preceding the Annual Meeting. The formula is noncumulative and is as follows: one (1) delegate […]
How To
Juliette Participation in Product Programs
Juliettes are Girl Scouts who participate in Girl Scout activities without a troop. They are affectionately named after our founder Juliette Gordon Low. Juliettes can participate in the Entrepreneurship programs; Fall Product and Cookie Programs with their caregivers acting as their Troop Leader. Optional training for caregivers supporting their Juliettes can be found here. Select a […]
Volunteer Requirements
As a Girl Scout volunteer, you’ll become part of a vibrant community of dedicated individuals supporting youth throughout Northern California, and across the country! To get started, all volunteers must be at least 18 years old, and those who plan to drive Girl Scouts must be at least 21. They also need to complete the […]
Event Flyer
How to Create an Effective Girl Scout Event Flyer A well-designed flyer can spark excitement and boost attendance for your next Girl Scout event. Whether you’re planning a badge workshop, camp experience, or fun meeting, use this as a guide to ensure your flyer is clear, informative, and fun! Step 1: Gather All the Essential […]
Social Media Guidelines
Girl Scout volunteers help shape our story online! Use these quick tips to share safely and positively. 🌟 Like and share posts from GSNorCal official account To share a post from our feed, refer to this Facebook article. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. Tag us @gsnorcal! Use hashtags #gsnorcal #GirlScoutsofNorthernCalifornia #JoinGirlScouts 🌟 Be a Positive Voice […]
Meetings
5 Easy At-Home Community Service Ideas for Girl Scouts
As Girl Scouts, we know the importance of supporting our local communities. When girls are empowered to connect with those around them they begin to realize that they can make a difference, and a community service project is a great way to get started. When it comes to at-home community service projects, you need nothing more than an […]
4 Topics to Cover During Your First Parent Troop Meeting
I’ve hosted seven years of back-to-troop parent meetings as a troop leader, each a little different as I learn from my growing experience. Having strong communication with parents and girls about meeting expectations, yearly planning, and volunteer commitments is crucial to a well-functioning troop, so here are the 4 things I cover with parents to […]
4 Tried-and-True Strategies for Virtual Girl Scout Meetings
Planning a new exciting troop meeting every week takes a lot of work! Whether you’re having virtual troop meetings, or meeting in person, for the first time or the hundredth, there are always a few basic factors that need to be considered for an excellent Girl Scout troop meeting. These tried-and-true strategies will make all types […]
How to Host a Bring-a-Friend Meeting
So—you’re ready to grow your troop and bring more girls into the fold. Maybe your troop is having such a fun Girl Scout Leadership Experience that you just HAVE to share the Girl Scout love! Maybe you started off small and are ready to expand now that you have your feet under you. Maybe you have found it difficult to spread the word […]
New Troop Leadership
The New Leader Guide
The New Leader Guide is your go-to resource for getting started as a troop leader. It covers everything from planning your first meeting to understanding badges, safety guidelines, and how to support your girls’ growth. Whether you’re brand new or just need a refresher, this guide will help you lead with confidence and make your […]
gsLearn Training Verification
If you are a troop leader or hold another volunteer role that requires you to verify training for other volunteers, there are two routes to do so. Ask the volunteers to follow the steps below to download their certificate of completion (option 1) or training report as a PDF (option 2). They can then email […]
Girl Scout Experience Box FAQ
Note: The Girl Scout Experience Box program has ended for the current membership year. We will begin registering troops into the program starting April 1st 2026 for the next membership year. Boxes will begin shipping to qualified troops in August 2026. What is a Girl Scout Experience Box? A monthly supply box shipped throughout the […]
4 Topics to Cover During Your First Parent Troop Meeting
I’ve hosted seven years of back-to-troop parent meetings as a troop leader, each a little different as I learn from my growing experience. Having strong communication with parents and girls about meeting expectations, yearly planning, and volunteer commitments is crucial to a well-functioning troop, so here are the 4 things I cover with parents to […]
Outdoor
Slingshots
There is one slingshot range at Camp Bothin, near the archery range. All ages may participate in Slingshots, and it is a great age-appropriate alternative to archery for Daisies. The usability of the range depends on the season and site conditions. Reach out to the property manager to confirm the status of the range. Groups that have a […]
How to Plan an Older Girl Camping Trip
I spent four days and three nights on a camping trip with six teenagers in the summer of 2018. Yes, I survived. Cell phone batteries died, there was no Wi-Fi, and there was a daily request from the girls to take a shower (which I politely denied). Were there ups and downs? Definitely. Did we […]
Girl Scouts Give It Their All: A Camp Leadership Story
What is a Camp Aide? I have been a Camp Aide at Oakland Girl Scouts Great Escape Day Camp for four years. Each unit has a leader and a few camp aides. The unit leader focuses on keeping activities on schedule and safety, while the Camp Aides take on the rest of the responsibility for […]
4 Tips for Winter Camping Beginners
For some, winter camping may mean watching frost form on the window from the inside of a cozy, heated hotel room. For others, it may mean packing-in supplies to camp in the snow. Despite how you and your troop plan to get outside this winter, there are some things you should know and plan for […]
Registrations & Renewals
Early Bird Qualifiers
This article lists the troop numbers for all troops who earned their Early Bird Renewal cookie program proceed. To earn the early bird cookie program proceed troops had to retain 70% or more youth members through renewal or new memberships for the 2026 Girl Scout year by June 30, 2025. These troops qualified for the […]
Extended Year Membership
Extended Year membership offers new youth and adult members the chance to purchase an 18-month Girl Scout Membership at a discounted price to begin their Girl Scout experience! What is extended-year membership? This membership deal is available for NEW youth and adults. The price includes membership for the remainder of the current membership year (from the date of […]
Registration/Renewal Steps – Household Primary Caregiver
Registration/Renewal Steps for Household Primary Caregivers (PDF) This PDF provides adult members, who are listed as the head of the household in their MyGS Member Account, the following information: *Please note this process is most effective on a desktop, not a mobile device. How to log in to MyGS
Resources – Registration & Renewal
Registration Renewal MyGS
Safety
Evaluating Air Quality
Download a printable version of this resource here. An important part of program planning includes considering environmental concerns that could affect health and safety of members and volunteers. In Northern California, this means evaluating the air quality in your area during thesummer and fall months. If there is a wildfire close enough to a program […]
gsLearn Training Verification
If you are a troop leader or hold another volunteer role that requires you to verify training for other volunteers, there are two routes to do so. Ask the volunteers to follow the steps below to download their certificate of completion (option 1) or training report as a PDF (option 2). They can then email […]
Resources – Permission Forms
Permission Forms
What is a Council Emergency Card?
Council Emergency Cards are a business card with the GSNorCal emergency line number and links for emergency forms. Leaders must have with them the most current council emergency cards. All adults should have a copy of the card along with troop emergency contact information. Note that there are 10 cards in the document and that it […]
Travel
GSUSA Destinations
A Destination is an independent travel opportunity and the ultimate adventure for Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Girl Scouts. Push past your comfort zone by applying for a trip on your own, and make friends from all over the country as you travel with new Girl Scout friends. There’s a unique, life-changing experience for everyone. These […]
What is the Trip Roster Form?
This form must be included with your Trip or High Adventure Request Form. It is not the same as the troop roster you will find in your Volunteer Toolkit, because it contains details specific to troop trips and events. Please carefully fill out all details and upload as a .xlsx or .pdf (.xlsx is preferred). […]
Council-Sponsored Travel
Council-Organized Trips From local sights and landmarks to those around the world, Girl Scouts has an adventure opportunity for every type of traveler. Girl Scouts of Northern California offers annual trips for youth in the Cadette, Senior and Ambassador levels from around the council to travel together and experience new adventures. Special money earning, scholarship, […]
Troop
What Girl Scout Troops Do
Troops make friends, build new skills, earn badges and awards, and have fun! What Troops Do To have a well-rounded Girl Scout experience, we encourage all troops to: Volunteer Resources MyGS, gsLearn & Volunteer Toolkit »Log in to MyGS to manage your Member Profile, access trainings through gsLearn, and manage your troop through the Volunteer Toolkit. […]
Resources-Troop Leadership
For Troop Leaders
Troop Leadership Resources
Discoveree
Discoveree: Our Annual Adult Learning Event Discoveree is our council’s largest annual adult learning event, held the Saturday after Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Led by volunteers who share their skills, talents, and expertise, this event is designed for Girl Scout adult volunteers. At Discoveree, participants can choose up to four workshops from a wide […]
The New Leader Guide
The New Leader Guide is your go-to resource for getting started as a troop leader. It covers everything from planning your first meeting to understanding badges, safety guidelines, and how to support your girls’ growth. Whether you’re brand new or just need a refresher, this guide will help you lead with confidence and make your […]
gsLearn Training Verification
If you are a troop leader or hold another volunteer role that requires you to verify training for other volunteers, there are two routes to do so. Ask the volunteers to follow the steps below to download their certificate of completion (option 1) or training report as a PDF (option 2). They can then email […]
Girl Scout Experience Box FAQ
Note: The Girl Scout Experience Box program has ended for the current membership year. We will begin registering troops into the program starting April 1st 2026 for the next membership year. Boxes will begin shipping to qualified troops in August 2026. What is a Girl Scout Experience Box? A monthly supply box shipped throughout the […]
What is Girl Scouts?
What Do Girl Scouts Do in Girl Scouting?
Girl Scouts focuses on the following content areas to enrich the Girl Scout experience for girls that follow the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. A few examples are listed here, and you can find out how to engage your troop in opportunities like these by visiting What Girl Scouts Do. GSNorCal’s Program Department GSNorCal’s Program Department offers […]
What Does Girl Scouting Do for Girls?
What Does Girl Scouting Do for Girls The Girl Scout Leadership Experience The Girl Scout Leadership Experience Five Benefits for Girls Five Benefits for Girls