Home Study Courses

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Use our home study learning courses so that you can use your “downtime” waiting in the car, for an appointment, or reading in bed to complete Girl Scout learning courses!

To get started click on one of the courses below:

Girl Scouting 101 (English or Spanish)
Welcome Session
Getting Started
Staying Safe
Leadership Essentials
Girl Scout Daisy Leadership
Girl Scout Brownie Leadership
Girl Scout Junior Leadership
Teen Advisor
Troop Camping Certification
Event Director
CPR & First Aid Level 1

Girl Scouting 101 (English or Spanish)

This course provides an overview to the Girl Scout organization, including Girl Scout pathways (various ways that girl and adult members participate), resources and support available to volunteers, the Girl Scout Mission, Promise and Law, the benefits to girls of participating in the Cookie program (builds financial literacy skills), some basic safety requirements, and an overview of the Girl Scout program for girls. Must be taken before meeting with girls.

Home Study

Home Study coming Soon!

Welcome Session

The Welcome Session lasts about 30 minutes. At your Welcome Session you’ll receive your registration materials, a Council Resource Guide: Volunteer Essentials, and a copy of our Choices Activity Guide, as well as lots of other great information. At least one adult from your group needs to attend, however co-leader are welcome. Your CDD can help you schedule your Welcome Session - Welcome Sessions are available by arrangement only.

Home Study

Getting Started

This course will provide you with a solid framework of information and points of reference on your council, policies & procedures building your adult team, financial information, how to register your troop and more. Must be taken before meeting with girls. You must have a copy of our Council Resource Guide: Volunteer Essentials (Click here to download).

PLEASE NOTE: We have had some technical problems with our online Getting Started course. Therefore, if you are in the process of taking the course, you may have lost your place. We sincerely apologize for your inconvenience!

Home Study

To take this course as a Home Study, you must have the Getting Started Home Study and the Getting Started Participant Notebook.

Click here to download the Home Study Packet

Click here to download Getting Started Participant Notebook

Staying Safe

This course will help you ensure that health & safety standards are followed to allow the girls safe & fun adventures. Must be taken before meeting with girls. You must have a copy of Council Resource Guide: Volunteer Essentials (each troop/group receives one free copy in the new troop materials or you may download by clicking here.

Home Study

Click here for the Home Study version of Staying Safe course.

Leadership Essentials

JOURNEYS TRAINING! (Online course also contains "First Four Meetings" for Daisy, Brownie and Junior levels - click on Resources tab) An effective Girl Scout troop is not all about awards & cookies. The Leadership Essentials course provides information to help your girls develop leadership skills, and will teach you how to work with journeys. This course includes an overview of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, and teaches how to effectively partner with your girls to make their plans & goals a reality. You’ll also learn how to be able to see the impact you have on girls’ lives by thinking about outcomes. You must bring a copy of the adult and girl journey books for the grade level of the girls you work with (borrow a copy, or purchase from our retail shop). This is highly recommended within four months of your appointment as a Girl Scout volunteer.

Home Study

Click here to download Leadership Essentials Home Study
Click here to download Leadership Essentials Participant Notebook

Girl Scout Daisy Leadership

This course will provide you with tips & tools to ensure to have a fun program with your Girl Scout Daisies. Learn how to effectively partner with girls in grades K-1. Learn how to plan a meeting, what resources are available to help you and your girls enjoy their time in Daisies, and more. Bring your Adult and Girl journey book (any Daisy journey)

Home Study

To take this course as a Home Study, you must have the Home Study course and the Participant Notebook.

Click here download Girl Scout Daisy Leadership Home Study
Click here download Girl Scout Daisy Leadership Participant Notebook

Girl Scout Brownie Leadership

Learn how to effectively partner with girls in grades 2-3. Learn how to plan a meeting, how to involve girls in decision-making and planning, and available resources to help you and your girls enjoy their time as Girl Scout Brownies, and more. Bring your Adult and Girl journey book (any Brownie journey)

Home Study

To take this course as a Home Study, you must have the Home Study course and the Participant Notebook.

Click here download Girl Scout Brownie Leadership Home Study
Click here download Girl Scout Brownie Leadership Participant Notebook

Girl Scout Junior Leadership

Learn how to effectively partner with girls in grades 4-5. Learn how to plan a meeting, how to involve girls in decision-making and planning, and available resources for Girl Scout Juniors, as well as how to figure out the process to earn the Bronze award. Bring your Adult and Girl journey book (any Junior journey)

Home Study

To take this course as a Home Study, you must have the Home Study course and the Participant Notebook.

Click here download Girl Scout Junior Leadership Home Study
Click here download Girl Scout Junior Leadership Participant Notebook

Teen Advisor

This course, for adults working with girls in Girl Scout Cadettes, Girl Scout Seniors, or Girl Scout Ambassadors will help you to effectively partner with girls in grades 6th-12th. Learn the process to support your girls' ideas to help them achieve the program they developed and planned. There is limited information on Silver & Gold Awards within this course, however your girls are welcome/invited to attend the awards for older girls classes. Bring your adult and girl journey books (any journey).

Home Study

Troop Camping Certification

This course is required for at least one adult who will accompany the troop on a camping trip and who will be involved in the planning process with the girls, if your troop will either cook OR sleep outdoors (or in shelters without electricity or indoor plumbing.) Emphasis in this course is on how to teach skills to girls and prepare them for their outdoor experiences, as well as health and safety concerns when camping in a large group. A course fee covers the cost of food and materials. This class may be offered as a one, two, or three part class, and class lengths vary due to the optional overnight experiences. Contact your local office Adult Development Dept. if you have any questions about which class is right for you. If you wish to take this training with your daughter, please see the description for Troop Camping Certification Plus.

Also available for experienced campers who have experience working with girls, who understand the importance of girl-led experiences, and who have experience camping with large groups. Note that the emphasis of the Troop Camping Certification course is on how to prepare girls for their outdoor experiences and in the specific safety and hygiene requirements with large group camping and not simply on camping skills.

The Troop Camping Certification Equivalency is offered as a challenge to the Troop Camping Certification Course. Certification is granted to individuals who demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skills to work with a Girl Scout group in planning, preparing for and carrying out outdoor camping adventures.

Please allow at least 4 months prior to a planned camping activity to complete the process.

Process

The equivalency consists of a self-assessment, written exam, and may include a skills demonstration session.

Below are the steps for completing the equivalency.

1. Self-Assessment

Review the following list of competencies listed here to determine whether or not you should enroll in the equivalency. If you possess the knowledge and skills outlined, proceed to step 2.

GS rules and procedures pertaining to troop camping
Girl readiness for camping
Progression in the outdoors
Planning with girls
Leave No Trace principles
Safety practices for cooking, fires, dish & hand washing, and fuels

2. Written exam

Contact the Director of Volunteer Resources in the office closest to you and request the equivalency exam. The exam can be emailed or mailed to you. Complete the exam within two weeks of receipt and return by email or mail to the person listed on the exam as the Troop Camping Equivalency Evaluator or the Director of Volunteer Resources

3. Approval Process

To pass the Equivalency exam you must score at least 85% and not miss any safety questions. Then you will:

1. Complete the 1 ½ hour skills demonstration or
2. Have completed the TCC Equivalency (no skills demonstration required) or
3. Be asked to attend the in-person TCC class

East Bay/Marin/Solano Area Oakland Office Mary Holzheimer at mholzheimer@girlscoutsnorcal.org or 510 562-8470 ext.8003

South Bay/Peninsula Area San Jose Office Gail Glenn at gglenn@girlscoutsnorcal.org or 408 287-4170 ext.8002

North Central Area Chico and Redding Office Sheryl Jucker at sjucker@girlscoutsnorcal.org or (530) 221-6180, ext. 8004

North Coast Area, Eureka, Ukiah and Santa Rosa Office Joey Riggins at jriggins@girlscoutsnorcal.org or 707 544-5472 ext. 8005

Home Study

Event Director

Are you planning events and activities for your Service Unit or Council? This class is required for volunteers running events where the person is responsible for the planning and implementation of the event and for the well-being of the participants. Check the council website for more information about which activities are considered events. Learn the logistics of planning, promoting, delivering and evaluating an event, as well as effective techniques for recruiting and working with a committee.

Home Study

To take this course as a Home Study, you must have the Event Director Home Study and the Event Director Participant Notebook.

Click here to download the Event Director Home Study
Click here to download the Event Director Participant Notebook

CPR & First Aid Level 1

A Girl Scout adult fulfilling the role of a Level 1 First Aider for a troop and/or event must complete both CPR and First Aid courses. Please refer to the Safety Activity Checkpoints www.GirlScoutsNorCal.org/safety for activities that require the presence of a First Aider. Length of expiration for the first aid and CPR certificates vary according to the type of course. The non-refundable fee of $50 for this course covers materials and supplies. The fee is required when you register.

NOTE: Some offerings split this training between 2 sessions; you must attend both sessions to be certified.

Please wear comfortable clothing and be prepared to spend some time sitting or lying on the floor. It is suggested that you bring a beverage and a lunch or snack.

Home Study