Adult Learning & Training

Below you will find in depth trainings that provide extra support to help make the Girl Scout troop experience safe and fun! There are two formats: easy and convenient online webinars and self-guided trainings on gsLearn.

To access gsLearn, follow these easy steps

At the top of any GSCWM webpage, click on “MY GS” icon next to the DONATE button.
On the page that loads, click on “Login” in the top right corner.
Your username is the email address used to create your Girl Scout account.
Once logged in, click on “gsLearn” on the left side menu.

Trainings Offered

Getting Started toggle arrow

Troop program volunteers need to complete the three appointment steps.

1. Register as an adult Girl Scout

2. Read, complete and submit the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) Acknowledgement Form

3. Complete 116 Orientation - Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts

116 Orientation toggle arrow

The mission of Girl Scouts
The Girl Scout organization
The Girl Scout Leadership Experience
The Girl Scout National Program Portfolio
Where troops meet
Troop safety
Your next steps
Where to go for support

We offer this course online in gsLearn to take at your own pace. To request a webinar version, please contact your Membership Specialist.

Dive into Badges and Journeys, share best practices, and get a handle on how to make the troop experience girl-led. Program level trainings will help you enhance your leadership experience and troop programing.

Field Trips, Sleepovers and Camping toggle arrow

Are you thinking your girls are ready to move beyond troop meetings? From field trips in your town to a sleep over at a museum to a camping weekend, we have trainings that will help you determine when your troop is ready and help them plan a fun adventure.

To see what training and paperwork is required, review the GSCWM Training and Approval Requirements and Recommendations for Activities Beyond Your Meeting chart below.

The following couses are available online in gsLearn: Field Trips, Explore Out, Cook In, Sleep In, and Sleep Out. They are found in the Beyond Your Meeting Learning Pathway.

Face to Face Trainings:
There’s nothing like the great outdoors! When you are ready to cook over a fire or spend the night at camp, these REQUIRED outdoor education classes will get you and your girls ready and keep everyone safe.

GSCWM Training and Approval Requirements and Recommendations for Activities Beyond Your Meeting toggle arrow

Type of Trip	Trainings	Forms	Lead Time Before Event
All Trips	Required: 116 Orientation - GSCWM First Aid/CPR
Field/Day Trip such as Fire Station, Art Museum, Roller Skating, Visit to nursing home	Recommended:Field Trips	Travel and Activity Form - Page 2 is needed for high risk or out of state travel. Be sure to sign page 2	3 Weeks
Outdoor Day Trip Such as a hike, horseback riding, or parade	Recommended: Explore Out	Travel and Activity Form - Page 2 is needed for high risk or out of state travel. Be sure to sign page 2	3 Weeks
GSCWM Sponsored Event - registration through council website	Recommended:Field Trips	None	3 Weeks
Cooking Indoors	Required: Cook in	None	3 Weeks
Overnight at Building with plumbing and electricity	Required: Sleep In	Activity and Travel Form - both pages OR Camp Reservation Form if using Council Camp	3 Weeks
Cooking Outdoors OR Building any fire	Required: Cook Out	Activity and Travel Form - both pages OR Camp Reservation Form if using Council Camp	3 Weeks
Overnight in cabins, tens, yurts on a Service Unit or Council sponsored event	Required: Sleep Out	Activity and Travel Form - both pages OR Camp Reservation Form if using Council Camp	4 Weeks
Overnight in cabins, tens, yurts on your own	Required: Sleep Out and an outdoor overnight experience with Girl Scouts such as an Encampment* or overnight training.	Activity and Travel Form - both pages OR Camp Reservation Form if using Council Camp	4 Weeks
Overnight for 3 or more nights - with camping	Required: Sleep Out and an outdoor overnight experience with Girl Scouts such as an Encampment* or overnight training. Big Trips	Extended Trip/Travel Form and accompanying documents OR Camp Reservation Form if using Council Camp	4 Months
Overnight for 3 or more nights - no camping	Required: Big Trips	Extended Trip/Travel Form and accompanying documents	4 Months
International Trip	Required: Big Trips	Extended Trip/Travel Form and accompanying documents AND International Intent to Travel Form	1 Year

* Encampment/Camporee hosted by the Council or Service Unit

Cook Out

Required: For volunteers leading troops that are planning on preparing food using outdoor cooking methods. This course is also required to build wood fires in indoor fireplaces or wood stoves.

Prerequisite: Prior completion of Explore Out & Cook In

Recommended at least 4 months prior to the outdoor cooking event; prior to girls beginning to plan the event.

Click here to see upcoming Cook Out trainings

Cook Out/Camp Out toggle arrow

Learn essential outdoor cooking-related skills including fire building methods, charcoal and camp stove cooking, outdoor dish-washing and sanitation methods, Leave No Trace principles, basic knots, and jackknife safety. Enjoy the hands-on experience of cooking a meal using different fuel sources and equipment while also learning how to guide girls in planning an overnight adventure of up to two nights and three days, sleeping in platform tents or non-winterized buildings. Required: Prior to taking girls on an overnight outside-using platform tents or non-winterized buildings. Recommended at least 4 – 6 months prior to the overnight.

*Participating in a SU or Council sponsored outdoor overnight can substitute for Camp Out

Prerequisite: Prior completion of Sleep In, Explore Out, Cook In & Sleep Out

View upcoming trainings

Large Events toggle arrow

Girl Scouts love to get together on a large scale. Is your town or service unit ready to host an encampment/camperee, service unit bridging? How about an outdoor skills day?

This course is for anyone planning a town-wide or service unit event. Discover strategies to ensure the success and safety of your encampment, Brownie Fun Day, outdoor day, dance, Annual Giving Campaign event, etc. Learn the key elements of planning, implementing and evaluating events. Review the nuts and bolts of event planning, decision-making, budgets and how to build “girl-led” into your event. Required: Strongly recommended for the planners of town-wide or service unit events.

Prerequisite: Basic Girl Scout Volunteer training recommended.

Timeline: Recommended at least 6 months prior to the event.

3 hour face-to-face learning environment

View upcoming trainings

If you do not see a location, date and time that fits your schedule and know of other volunteers in your area that would also like to attend please contact Monica Baldyga mbaldyga@gscwm.org to make arrangements for possibly adding a session in your area.

Big Trips

Traveling to new places, meeting new people and experiencing new adventures is a time honored Girl Scout tradition.

This course is for adult volunteers in Cadette, Senior and Ambassador troops wanting to plan an extended trip of three nights or more. You will gain the necessary skills to guide your girls through the process of planning, budgeting, and reviewing safety requirements and transportation needs for a three night or regional or national trip. You will also learn how to help girls gauge their readiness and become familiar with GSUSA’s and GSCWM’s policies and procedures for extended trips. Required: For all troop/group leaders, co-leaders, and assistant leaders helping girls plan and carry out overnight trips of 3 or more nights or volunteers whose troops are planning an extended regional or national trip. Timeline: It is strongly recommended that the volunteer take this course at least 6-12 months before a domestic trip and 18-24 months before an international trip. Prerequisite: Completion of Orientation, Completion of appropriate Overnight Training.

3 hour face-to-face learning environment

View upcoming trainings

REGISTER BY MAIL, IN PERSON, OR ONLINE

You can register for any offered trainings in our myGS portal like any other activity. If you perfer to use paper forms complete the adult training paper registration form and submit with cash, check or credit card. Make checks payable to “GSCWM".

Mail to:
Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts
115 Century Drive
Worcester, MA 01606

Or drop off in person to:

Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts
115 Century Drive
Worcester, MA 01606

Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts
301 Kelly Way
Holyoke, MA 01040

Training Refund Policy:

No refunds will be issued should you not attend, arrive late, or leave early.
Refunds will be issued if you contact the council office (info@gscwm.org) at least 5 days before the training registration deadline closes. There will be a $5.00 processing fee.
If a training is cancelled by GSCWM, we can transfer your registration fee to a different session or a full refund will be issued.

Certification Courses toggle arrow

Archery Level 1 Certification toggle arrow

Become a USA Archery Level 1 instructor. Learn to set-up and operate a safe archery program. Learn to teach new archers, maintain equipment, and identify and correct common shooting errors. Upon course completion, you will be certified to teach archery as a Level 1 instructor. As a certified instructor you have another way to offer Girl Scouts new and exciting experiences.

The course consists of two parts. The first part is an online course that is approximately 4 hours long and can be completed at your own pace. After the online course is completed, you will participate in an in-person practical, hands-on experience. Upon completion of the online course and the in-person practical, you will be certified as an USAA Archery Level 1 instructor for 3 years.

Prerequisite: 116 - Orientation course

Click here for a list of upcoming trainings.

Please contact Program Manager Jessica Gonzalez at jgonzalez@gscwm.org with any questions regarding this training.

Axe Yard Certification toggle arrow

Become a GSCWM facilitator for our axe yard at Camp Bonnie Brae. Learn how to safely use a hatchet and saw and facilitate an axe yard program for your girls. Come and build up your outdoor resume to provide more opportunities for your girls. Axe yard programs are for Cadettes and up only.

Open to registered adults members.

Click here for a list of upcoming trainings

First Aid and CPR Certification toggle arrow

Volunteers may take first aid training through an area Red Cross office, the American Heart Association, the National Safety Council, local emergency services, hospitals, fire or other rescue services. Paying for an adult in the troop to become a certified first aider is a valid troop expense. Hybrid courses and face-to-face courses where participants are able to practice skills learned are acceptable. Courses taught online only are not valid for Girl Scout purposes.

Girl Scouts recommends that when girls are present at least one adult volunteer be first-aid/CPR certified. A first aider is required for physically demanding activities, activities involving the potential for injury and trips away from regular meeting spaces.

Please click here for a list of upcoming trainings.

Courses are also available from the following providers:

American Red Cross - First aid/CPR/AED
Highland Ambulance EMS, Goshen - First Aid/CPR/AED
Noble Hospital, Westfield - CPR Training
Safety Trainers, Worcester - First Aid/CPR/AED
Steven St. Laurent, Fitchburg - First Aid/CPR/AED
NOLS- Wilderness First Aid*
SOLOS Schools- Wilderness First Aid*
Wilderness Medical Associates- Wilderness First Aid*

*Local options may not be available when clicking links they will give you courses located across the US

Hatchet Throwing Certification toggle arrow

Become a GSCWM facilitator for our hatchet throwing range at Camp Bonnie Brae or Camp Green Eyrie. Learn how to safely throw a hatchet and facilitate a hatchet throwing program for your girls. Come and build up your outdoor resume to provide more opportunities for your girls. Hatchet throwing programs are for Cadettes and up only.

Open to registered adults members.

Click here for a list of upcoming trainings

Team Challenge Course (Low Ropes) toggle arrow

Girl Scouts is all about team work and we love a challenge. This course offers volunteers the best of both worlds so they in turn can share this wonderful adventure with their girls.

Learn to facilitate a group team building experience on a low ropes course. You’ll learn about group dynamics, trust building and problem solving. You’ll practice get-to-know you games while learning important spotting and safety guidelines and participate in elements of the low ropes challenge course and learn to facilitate experiences for girls using the course.
7 hour face-to-face session
Click here for a list of upcoming trainings.

Small Craft Safety Training, Boating toggle arrow

Learn how to facilitate kayaking and canoeing for your troop and service unit. Learn kayaking and canoeing skills and safety practices, how to facilitate boating with large groups, and basic water rescue skills. Participants are not required to have extensive boating experience, but should be comfortable being in and around water. Completing this course allows Girl Scout volunteers to run boating activities at GSCWM camp properties.

Click here for a list of upcoming trainings

Level Training - What Girl Scouts Do, Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassador toggle arrow

These courses are offered online in gsLearn to take at your own pace.

GSUSA What Girl Scouts Do

Thank you for being a Girl Scout volunteer. In this course, you will learn about What Girl Scouts Do at each level. The course is broken out by Program Level. You only need to take the levels represented in the troop you will be volunteering with, although you are welcome to explore them all. To complete the course, there is a required Knowledge Check.