Volunteer Resources
Badges
Girl’s Guide to Badges and Skill Building
In addition to Leadership Journeys, 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 […]
Celebrations
Heritage 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 […]
Kick the year off right by engaging parents and caregivers
Girl Scouting provides the best opportunities for girls when families step up and play an active part in the troop. Without meaningful support from parents and caregivers, it’s difficult for a troop to be all it can be. Plus, girls feel a special sense of pride when their families take part and show interest in […]
Girl Scout Traditions and Celebrations
Throughout the long history of Girl Scouts, certain traditions remain meaningful and important and are still practiced today. This section gives you an overview of annual celebrations in the Girl Scout year, as well as other revered Girl Scout traditions. Be sure to look in The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting and Leadership Journeys for […]
Girl Scouts Participating in Activities with Other Scouting Organizations
The decision by Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to open the Boy Scout program to girls has fundamentally altered the nature of the relationship between BSA and Girl Scouts nationally and locally. Local relationships between BSA and Girl Scout councils that have led to partnerships and joint activities in the past may now create certain […]
Finance
Financial Aid
Girl Scouts of Northern California welcomes youth and volunteer members in any financial situation. We make funds available to cover membership, events and workshops, background checks, and camp. Membership Dues: Membership dues are $50/year for youth and $25/year for adults. Uniforms: Youth can request uniform aid, which includes a voucher to our retail shops to receive a sash, vest or […]
Financial Aid Options
Girl Scouts of Northern California provides Financial Aid for membership, uniforms, events, and camp. Membership Dues: Membership dues are $50/year for youth and $25/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 and Documents
Resources – Permission Forms
Permission Forms
Experts and Special Certifications
The Safety Activity Checkpoints for many activities require having an expert on hand to help girls learn an activity. Please remember that all experts must be approved by GSNorCal Risk Management staff at: travel@gsnorcal.org. To make it a bit easier, GSNorCal maintains a list of local experts and facilities (such as Horseback Riding and Surfing vendors) […]
How To
gsLearn and Mobile Devices
Trying to train on the go? No problem! Make sure to follow these best practices for a smoother mobile learning experience. If you have any issues with training completion, training requirements, or questions about gsLearn, please contact onlinelearning@gsnorcal.org. Accessing gsLearn on a Mobile Device Best Practices for Viewing Modules on a Mobile Device There are several […]
Finding Troop Contact and Meeting Information in My GS
How can I contact my troop leader? Where can I find my troop’s meeting details? Once you have completed registration into a troop, you can locate contact information for your troop leadership team, as well as the meeting details for your troop within MyGS. Your troop leader will receive an email letting them know you […]
New Member Registration
This article will provide instructions for new girl and adult members to complete membership and join a troop in just 5 steps. You can also download the instructions here: New Member Registration. Once you find a troop you want to join, you will be prompted to create a MyGS Account. Here is a step-by-step guide to Creating A […]
School Rep Information
Are you able to represent Girl Scouts at your child’s school? Girl Scout School Reps are needed throughout GSNorCal to serve as a liaison between their school and their local Service Unit and GSNorCal staff. Our goal is to have a Girl Scout presence at every school and school event in our Council. What is […]
Meetings
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
Virtual Meetings Using Zoom
Zoom Trainings Learn how to lead and manage virtual Girl Scout Meetings Using Zoom by watching GSUSA’s Zoom For Girl Scouts Training Videos. The video playlist offers short videos on these topics: Zoom Backgrounds Share some Girl Scout spirit in every Zoom Meeting using the Virtual Background feature. To download the Zoom Backgrounds below, simply right-click the desired […]
New Troop Leader
Co-Op Troop Description
What is a Co-Op Troop? The traditional troop model has two unrelated adults acting as the Troop Leader and Co-Leader. In a Co-Op Troop, all families work together to share the responsibilities of leading the troop. What is a Troop Admin? The Troop Admin is the key to the troop’s success! This role is primarily […]
Joining a troop by invitation
Whether you’ve received a personal invitation from a Troop Leader or Troop Admin or your friends have sent you a link to a troop on our catalog, follow the instructions below to join that troop. Start by opening the link you received, and you will be taken to the troop view. If you are clicking on […]
Resources – Troop Position Descriptions
Troop Position Descriptions
Girl Membership Form
Girl Scout Membership Registration and Renewal should primarily be completed online through MyGS. Instructions can be found here. If you are a visual learner this short renewal video might be a helpful resource. If online access is limited, this Girl Membership Form (PDF) may be used. Paper registration forms should be turned in to your local GSNorCal staff member […]
Outdoor
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, family, 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Council-Run Camp Registration FAQs: Camp Sugar Pine, Camp Bothin, & Camp Hidden Falls
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. This article is organized by topic: REGISTRATION FAQS WAITLIST FAQS AFTER REGISTRATION FAQS RETURNING CAMPER FAQS
Renew
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 as well as the […]
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
Lifetime Member FAQs
Who can purchase a Lifetime Membership? What does it cost? How do I purchase a Lifetime Membership? Why are lifetime members asked to renew each year? While lifetime members do not have to pay their annual $25 membership dues, they have to renew their volunteer role to indicate how they will be participating. Find out […]
Safety
What activity is considered High-Adventure?
High Adventure Activities There are some activities that the GSNorCal’s insurance policy does not cover, and others where certain requirements must be met in order for the activity to be covered by GSNorCal’s insurance. Safety Guide to High Adventure Activities
Resources – Safety Activity Checkpoints
Safety Activity Checkpoints
Resources – Insurance
Girl Scout Insurance
Resources – Health History Forms
Health History Forms
Travel
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). […]
How do I plan a Troop Trip?
So, your troop has decided it wants to go on an exciting adventure next year! Congratulations! Let the planning fun begin! Whether it’s a trip to a foreign land, a hiking trek to a nearby state park, or something in between, check out Outings Trips and Travel Planning for a comprehensive planning checklist that you won’t want […]
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 […]
Council-Organized 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 Leader Resources
Invite Friends to your Troop
There are two digital ways to invite new youth/girls and adults into your troop: through MyGS or through the online troop catalog. Inviting through MyGS will work whether your troop has openings or not but can only be done by a Troop Leader or Troop Admin. If you are not a troop leader, you can still invite […]
Grow your Troop
Want to add more Girl Scouts or volunteers to your troop? Read our tips below. Customizable Recruitment Tools: We recommend you create a link to your troop’s details in our online catalog to make it easy for people to join. Instructions: Registration Steps – Include the following in your flyers, emails, and/or social media posts to make it easy for […]
Tips for Managing Troop Finances
Every year, the troop leader and troop treasurer reconcile the annual income and expenses and complete the Annual Troop Finance Report. The more prepared you both are, the easier it will be to complete. For information on record keeping and completing the Troop Finance Report, you can access the Troop Finance Report Overview module in GSLearn by […]
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 Resources
Co-Op Troop Description
What is a Co-Op Troop? The traditional troop model has two unrelated adults acting as the Troop Leader and Co-Leader. In a Co-Op Troop, all families work together to share the responsibilities of leading the troop. What is a Troop Admin? The Troop Admin is the key to the troop’s success! This role is primarily […]
Joining a troop by invitation
Whether you’ve received a personal invitation from a Troop Leader or Troop Admin or your friends have sent you a link to a troop on our catalog, follow the instructions below to join that troop. Start by opening the link you received, and you will be taken to the troop view. If you are clicking on […]
Heritage 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 […]
Resources – Troop Position Descriptions
Troop Position Descriptions