What is a Staff-Led Troop?
Staff-Led Troops give families the opportunity to participate in Girl Scouts without needing a volunteer troop leader. Girl Scouts of Northern California (GSNorCal) trained staff lead the troop meetings and activities, making it easier for families to participate while connecting with other Girl Scouts in their community.
Your Girl Scout will have opportunities to build friendships, develop new skills, explore their interests and experience all that Girl Scouts has to offer.
Come to a Try Out Day to see if Staff-Led Troops is the right fit for your family!
- Staff-Led Troops Try Out Day (Fremont): Sunday, October 11 from 10am-3pm (choose a 50-minute time slot: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, or 2pm) at the Olive Hyde Program Center, 123 Washington Blvd, Fremont, CA 94539
- Staff-Led Troops Try Out Day (San Jose): Sunday, October 18 from 10am-3pm (choose a 50-minute time slot: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, or 2pm) at the San Jose Girl Scout Office, 1310 S Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA 95128
How to Join a Staff-Led Troop
There are two steps to complete your registration. First, you’ll register your child for an annual Girl Scout membership and enroll in a Staff-Led Troop through myGS, your member portal. Then, you’ll set up your monthly Staff-Led Troop payment through ActiveNet, our program registration platform.
Please complete the steps below using a laptop or desktop computer. The enrollment process is not mobile-friendly at this time.
Step 1: Create your myGS account and join a Staff-Led Troop
In the table below, find your preferred location, grade level, and meeting time.
Click on the corresponding Staff-Led Troop Number and a new window will open with your chosen Staff-Led Troop. Click the + button to add the number of youth members and click Add Details. You’ll be prompted to create your myGS account.
| Location | Grade Level | Meeting Time | Staff-Led Troop Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fremont | Grades 2-3 (Brownie) | Sundays, 9:30am – 10:45am | Staff Led Troop 38443 |
| Fremont | Grades 2-3 (Brownie) | Sundays, 1:00pm – 2:15pm | Staff Led Troop 38460 |
| Fremont | Grades 4-5 (Junior) | Sundays, 11:00am – 12:15pm | Staff Led Troop 38444 |
| Fremont | Grades 4-5 (Junior) | Sundays, 2:30pm – 3:45pm | Staff Led Troop 38461 |
| San Jose | Grades 2-3 (Brownie) | Sundays, 9:30am – 10:45am | Staff Led Troop 68130 |
| San Jose | Grades 2-3 (Brownie) | Sundays, 1:00pm – 2:15pm | Staff Led Troop 68140 |
| San Jose | Grades 4-5 (Junior) | Sundays, 11:00am – 12:15pm | Staff Led Troop 68131 |
| San Jose | Grades 4-5 (Junior) | Sundays, 2:30pm – 3:45pm | Staff Led Troop 68141 |
Complete the registration process and purchase the annual $90 Girl Scout membership fee. Financial aid is available to all eligible families. When prompted to choose a payment type, click on Apply for financial aid.
Step 2: Activate your ActiveNet account and set up monthly payment
Within a few days of completing Step 1, you will receive an email inviting you to activate your ActiveNet account. ActiveNet is GSNorCal’s program registration platform and is where you’ll set up payment for the monthly Staff Led Troop fee.
Once you receive the email, follow the instructions in the email to activate your ActiveNet account.
That’s it! Once you’ve completed these steps, your Girl Scout is ready to participate with us! A GSNorCal staff member will reach out within 1-2 business days with more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have a child in 3rd grade and another child in 4th grade. Can they be in the same troop?
Your 3rd grader would be placed in the Brownie Troop (grades 2-3) and your 4th grader would be placed in the Junior Troop (grades 4-5), so they would not be in the same Staff-Led Troop. We have curriculum and activities planned that are different and appropriate for their respective grade levels.
If you would like to have your children to be in the same troop, please explore the troop catalog in myGS and look for a volunteer-led multi-level troop that is accepting youth in grades 3-4.
Can I drop off my child, or do I need to stay for the duration of the troop meeting?
You may drop off your child and return at the designated pickup time. We ask that parents/caregivers arrive on time for pickup.
What happens when my child misses a troop meeting?
At the next troop meeting, your child will receive take-home materials to catch up on the missed activities.
If we decide that we do not want to continue with our Staff-Led Troop, what do I need to do?
To withdraw, written notice must be submitted to info@gsnorcal.org at least 7 days before your next scheduled payment date, which is the 1st of every month. Requests received less than 7 days before your next scheduled payment date may not be eligible for a cancellation of the upcoming month’s program fee.
The annual membership fee is not refundable or transferrable to another person.
We encourage you to explore other options for Girl Scouting! Find a Girl Scout troop led by trained volunteers, or go solo as an individually registered Girl Scout! Learn more.
Is financial assistance available to families?
Yes, Girl Scouts of Northern California welcomes members in any financial situation. Both new and returning youth members can apply for membership fees and troop fees.
Youth Annual Membership Fees: Caregivers can request financial aid for youth annual membership fees when they complete their registration from their myGS account (within Step #1 above), no questions asked.
Monthly Troop Fees: Monthly troop fees are eligible for financial assistance by submitting the Financial Assistance Application. Please indicate in the application that you are requesting Financial Assistance for Staff-Led Troops. Please allow 5–7 business days for your application to be processed and enrolled into the program.
Need help?
We’re here to help make the registration process as easy as possible! For all questions, email info@gsnorcal.org.
Last updated on September 18, 2026