Volunteer Resources
Badges
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 Awards
What are Badges and Awards? Girl Scouts at each 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 […]
Celebrations
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 […]
How to Perform a Flag Ceremony
Stars and Stripes, the Star Spangled Banner, Old Glory—whatever you call it, the American flag is an important symbol to Girl Scouts in the United States. If you have been to a Girl Scout event, chances are you’ve seen or participated in a flag ceremony. Flag ceremonies are the perfect way to start and end […]
Cultural Celebrations
Girl Scouts of Northern California serves incredibly diverse communities from all over the Northern California area. With so many rich cultural celebrations and heritage acknowledgments that happen throughout the year, we wanted to offer you a quick reference guide so that you and your troop can keep track and include them in your activities for […]
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 for 2026 form. The reporting period is from June 1st to May […]
Financial Aid Options
Girl Scouts of Northern California provides Financial Aid for membership, uniforms, events, and camp. Membership Dues: Membership dues are $90/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
Adult Membership Form
Girl Scout Membership Registration and Renewal should primarily be completed online through MyGS. Instructions can be found here. However, if online access is limited, this Adult Membership Form (PDF) may be used. Paper registration forms should be turned in to your local GSNorCal staff member or council office location. También está disponible un formulario de membresía en español.
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. […]
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
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 […]
Meeting with Parents: In-Person
One of the first decisions you will need to make when planning your parent meeting is how you will meet. Will you be meeting with parents in-person or would a virtual parent meeting be a better approach for your troop? You can check out the Parent/Caregiver Meeting Agenda for more information. Meeting With Parents In-Person
Troop Meetings
As you begin planning your first troop meetings, review our First Meeting Tips. Use the typical Troop Meeting Structure to help your troop establish a routine and keep your meetings running smoothly. First Meeting Tips Troop Meeting Structure
Meeting with Parents: Virtual
One of the first decisions you will need to make when planning your parent meeting is how you will meet. Will you be meeting with parents in-person or would a virtual parent meeting be a better approach for your troop? You can check out the Parent/Caregiver Meeting Agenda for more information. Virtual Troop Parent Meeting
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: we are currently registering troops for the Experience Box program for the 2026-27 membership year. Boxes will begin shipping to qualified troops in August 2026. This Help Center article is an FAQ for the Girl Scout Experience Box program. For complete program details, including box contents, visit the Girl Scout Experience Box page on […]
Accessing gsLearn
Accessing gsLearn gsLearn is accessed through your single sign-on account in MyGS. This means you can only access gsLearn through your MyGS account on a web browser, no matter the device. Follow the instructions below to access gsLearn. Once you are in gsLearn, you’ll find your options are in the green bar at the top of […]
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 […]
Adventure Program Requests
Request an Adventure Program! Planning a visit to our sites? Add extra fun with High Ropes, Archery or Hatchet Throwing. Whether you’re a troop, school, nonprofit serving youth, GSNorCal properties and facilitators are a great choice for your next trip, outing, event, program, training, or outdoor retreat! Visit our Adventure Program Website to learn more about our […]
Property Reservations
Our Properties Girl Scouts of Northern California is home to eleven properties located throughout Northern California. Experience the adventure of cooking out, sleeping in a cabin or tent, gazing at the stars, or learning about nature. Each council site offers something unique, from old growth redwoods and the Pacific coast to trails that have sweeping […]
Registrations & Renewals
2026 Early Bird Troop Renewal Goals
Early Bird Renewal Troop Goals This article lists each troop’s 2026 Early Bird renewal goal. Use the dropdown menus to select your area, then choose your Service Unit (SU) to find your troop number and the number of youth members you need to renew to reach 80%. Renew Early for Perks! Learn more about this years […]
Early Bird Qualifiers
This article shares the upcoming 2027 Early Bird Incentive and lists the troop numbers for all troops who earned their Early Bird Renewal cookie program proceeds for 2026 Girl Scout Cookie Program. 2027 Early Bird Incentive Early Bird Renewal is your chance to renew your troop’s youth and adult members this spring and keep them […]
Extended-Year Membership
Extended-Year membership offers new youth and adult members registering later in the Girl Scout membership year the chance to purchase up to 18 months of Girl Scout membership at a discounted price to begin their Girl Scout experience!
Registration/Renewal Steps – Household Primary Caregiver
Renewing your household- Household Admin Log in to MyGS 2. From your My Account page 3. Review Your Cart & Confirm Member Details 4 . Add Payment Details and Complete Renewal Detailed steps and screenshots to renew individuals from the My Household page can be found in the dropdowns below: This PDF provides adult members, […]
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: we are currently registering troops for the Experience Box program for the 2026-27 membership year. Boxes will begin shipping to qualified troops in August 2026. This Help Center article is an FAQ for the Girl Scout Experience Box program. For complete program details, including box contents, visit the Girl Scout Experience Box page on […]
What is Girl Scouts?
Go Solo – Juliette Girl Scouts
Juliette Girl Scouts or Juliettes for short, are individually registered Girl Scouts (IRG) who are not affiliated with a troop. Think of the Juliettes as an independent study for Girl Scouts. They have the flexibility to mix and match activities that match their interests by choosing special events, leadership projects, travel opportunities, camp, community service, Fall and […]
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