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How to Start a Troop

You Can Make a Difference in the Lives of Girl Scouts. Yes, You!

If you are kind and welcoming, you already have the most important characteristics of a troop leader, according to our Girl Scouts! Team up with a friend or neighbor to start a Girl Scout troop, where you’ll encourage kids to be brave, have fun, and help their community – you’ll even make some friends of your own along the way. You’ll have a whole Girl Scout support team behind you, who will provide you with training, meeting plans, and a network of other Girl Scout volunteers to help you be the best troop leader you can be. 

Register
If you sign up to lead a new troop now,
you and your girl's first-year membership is FREE!

Who Makes a Great Troop Leader?

  • You don’t have to be a parent of a Girl Scout to be a troop leader! If you’re an adult (18+) who is passionate about making a positive impact in youths’ lives, then you’re exactly who we’re looking for.

  • Your background and lived experience add to the rich tapestry of our organization. We encourage volunteers who represent the diverse communities our Girl Scouts live in.

What Does a Troop Leader Do?

  • Commit to meeting with your troop once or twice a month for 1 – 2 hours whenever it works with your schedule!

  • Create a safe and welcoming experience for every Girl Scout and facilitate a variety of fun, youth-led activities. (We have ready-to-go activity plans to help!).

  • Communicate with the parents/guardians of your troop.

  • Manage troop funds and finances.

  • Coordinate troop activities, community service, and field trips.

Ready to Start Your New Leader Adventure? Here Are Next Steps:

Step 1: Register and Complete a Background Check

Register and Complete a Background Check

  • Once you’ve completed the Troop Leader Interest Form, our staff will connect with you to finish up your registration, confirm troop details like meeting day, time, and location, and assist with starting a background check.

  • Background checks are required for all adult Girl Scout volunteers every three years. There is no cost to volunteers to complete a background check.

Step 2: Complete a Training

Complete a Training

As a new leader, you’ll join a cohort of other volunteers starting their new role! Together you’ll discover the resources, skills, and confidence to deliver fun, safe and meaningful Girl Scout experiences. You’ll walk away with a community of support and be prepared to be the most successful troop leader you can be. Cohort trainings start monthly.

Step 3: Grow Your Troop

Grow Your Troop

Start growing your troop! As soon as your troop is active, it will be listed in our searchable online troop catalog until you’ve reached 10 Girl Scouts. Families are more likely to join if they know your troop’s meeting day, time, and location so we recommend you decide this information as soon as you can! Most troops meet once or twice a month at schools, libraries, places of worship, community centers, or local businesses.

 

If you’re interested in leading a troop, but you have a few questions first, we would love to talk with you. Schedule a call with a member of our staff to learn more about what it means to be a troop leader.