Training | Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland
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Training and Support

Welcome Girl Scout volunteers!

You belong to a network of nearly one million adults who share an important commitment: preparing girls to lead successful lives. Below are links to courses, resources and events designed to support you, our volunteers.  Thank you for all you do!


New Troop Leadership/Support Volunteers (must complete within 6 months of appointment).  
GSOH is extending the time that volunteers have to complete Leadership Essentials until October 31, 2020. Our hope is that we will be able to resume face to face courses by this time.

Note: GS101 has been suspended as a part of the required trainings for new leadership volunteers.

Required trainings are:

  •  Safety Essentials
  •  Leadership Essentials.

Additional required training for signers on bank accounts:

  •  Finance Report Training
Safety Essentials

Explore the Volunteer Resource Guide and Safety Activity Checkpoints and discover how to conduct Girl Scout activities safely.

Sign up on CORA >>

Leadership Essentials
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GSOH Volunteer Resource Guide (Previously known as the VERG)

Learn the three keys of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and how to use resources to support and deliver the Girl Scout Program.
Time: 2 hours

Sign up on CORA >> 

Finance Report Training (Account Signers)

This course is required within the first 6 months of becoming an account signer for a troop or service unit bank account. During this live, online course, information will be provided to accurately complete the troop and service unit finance reports. This course is optional for anyone who is not a signer but wishes to learn more about how to manage troop and service unit accounts.

Register now >>  

New trainings are added periodically. Check back often for updated dates.

 
 
Additional Courses
First Aid/CPR (Troop First-Aider)

Successful completion of this blended course earns the participant a First Aid/CPR certification for two years from ASHI and fulfills the requirements of a first aider for Girl Scout activities. Coursework involves both anonline portion and a physical face-to-face skills demonstration including a minimum of two minutes of CPR on a manikin. The link for the online coursework will be emailed approximately two weeks prior to the face-to-face class.

NOTE: Any first aid/CPR available online does not satisfy the requirements for Girl Scouts. Cost for this training is $35.

Sign up on CORA >>

Troop Camp Certification

This course must be completed by at least one adult (not necessarily the troop leader) before a troop can go camping. It is the their responsibility to attend pre-camp preparatory meetings with the girls. The adult helps girls prepare for the camping experience and then accompanies them on the camping trip.

Sign up on CORA >>

Council Delegate Training ( Elected Delegates)

Each delegate and alternate is required to complete specialized training for the position.

Council Delegate Training Video 

Complete the course and quiz online >>

Note: This is an open book quiz. The information you will need can be found in the Council Delegate Manual and Articles of Incorporation.

Troop Travel Training

Click here to watch and learn more about Troop Travel

Please take the Troop Travel quiz after reviewing the video playlist

 
 
Resources
GSOH Volunteer Resource Guide [Previously known as the VERG]
Safety Activity Checkpoints
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Safety Activity Checkpoints

ONE Heart Patch

Earn your Volunteer Development ONE Heart patch!

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Recruit a new volunteer or donor and add this patch to your collection! Find out how.

Volunteer Toolkit

Get online support for volunteers. Visit the Volunteer Toolkit page . 

Recognitions

Find out more about volunteer recognitions here.  

Troop Leadership Support Videos

Controlling the Room
Tips for troop leaders on the best way to get the attention of the girls in their troop.

Leader-daughter Dynamic
Tips for how to manage when troop leaders have their daughter in their troop.

Parent Meeting
Tips for engaging parents in troop meetings and activities.

Positive Troop Environment
Tips for creating and maintaining a sage and positive troop environment.

Start-up Activities
Examples of successful activities for the girls to do at the beginning of the troop meeting.

Troop Safety
Tips for troop leaders to ensure they are following safety guidelines with their troop.

Welcoming New Girls
Tips for troop leaders to ensure new girls feel welcome as a new troop member.

Outdoor Support Videos

Step by Step: Developing Outdoor Skills in Girls
At Girl Scouts, we work to build girls’ outdoor skills and inspire girls to care for the environment as they grow. The Girl Scout Outdoor Progression Chart is a tool you can use as you advance girls’ skills in an age-appropriate way. 

Taking the Journeys Outside
It’s easy to take a Girl Scout Journey outside. Each Journey is full of fun, interactive activities that can easily go outdoors and inspire girls to love and protect the planet. Watch this video to find out how!

Planning Your Troop’s First Campout 
In order to have a great campout, you need to plan ahead—and be prepared. This video will give you plenty to think about as you plan your next outdoor adventure with Girl Scouts.

Introduction to Campsite Set-Up 
A safe, efficient campsite is important when camping. Watch and learn how to set up a proper camp!

Introduction to Cooking Outdoors
Propane, charcoal, box ovens—there are so many choices when cooking outside. This video shares ideas about the delicious possibilities. Tasty!

How to Leave No Trace Outdoors
A Girl Scout always leaves an area better than she found it. Throughout this video, girls will learn the importance of caring for the land, and how to easily “Leave No Trace” when exploring and enjoying the outdoors.

Introduction to Fire Building
To ensure a fun campfire experience and help minimize impact on the environment, this video provides basic skills on Leave No Trace ethics, wood gathering, types of fire building methods, and how to start and extinguish a campfire.

Outdoors Songs and Games
This video provides fun tips on how to teach songs and games to girls to do in the outdoors, and resources available to learn more about Girl Scout songs and games. 

The Dos and Don’ts of Backpacking
This video features some great tips to help you start planning your next backpacking trip this troop year!

 
 
Enrichment
Adult Camporee

Adult Camporee registration goes live on CORA, April 8, 2020. The theme this year is; “Game On”. “Solve it, explore it, lead it, love it.” September 11-13, 2020: come and gather ideas and learn new skills to take back to your troop, relax, have fun and experience camping with none of the work. Find fellowship with other adult Girl Scouts, enjoy delicious prepared meals and unwind with campfires, smores and a variety of exciting classes.

 

Autumn Adventure

Thank you to everyone who helped and attended this year's Autumn Adventure. We can't wait till next year!

Early Bird Renewal
Early Bird: Renew When You're Ready!
May 15-June 30, 2020

Challenging times are when Girl Scout grit comes through the most! And we’ll continue to be here for you and your Girl Scout. Renew when you’re ready!

Individual

As life keeps changing, Girl Scouts will be here when she needs us most. All girls and volunteers who renew between May 15 and June 30 will receive a special Early Bird patch.

Troop

When your Girl Scout is ready to renew, her troop will earn rewards. Every troop that renews the same number of members (girls and troop leadership/support volunteers) who were registered for the 2019-2020 membership year will receive the following rewards:

  • Entered in a drawing for one of 10 $100 reward cards.
  • Free admission to the first ever Zombie Bash (see details below).
  • One free night stay (up to $75 value) at the council camp of their choice. The free stay will be good from Oct. 1, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2021.
  • A $25 reward card good for use either on a Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland program or at the retail shop.
  • Earn an additional 5 cents per package in the 2021 Girl Scout Cookie Program. Plus, earn an additional 2 cents per package during the 2021 cookie program if they participate in the 2020 Girl Scout Fall Product program.

Zombie Bash

Join us for the first-ever Zombie Bash – a super-fun and all grades-friendly Zombie Run/Walk! We’ll keep the party going with tons of activities including a dance party, survival skills, games, crafts and more!

Sat., Sept. 19, 2020
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Camp Ken-Jockety (Franklin Co.)
$15 per person
Registration opens June 22 at 10 a.m.

Service Unit

Although we have to remain physically apart for now, connection is more important than ever. Every service unit that reaches 75 percent of its Early Bird/On Time goal by the end of Early Bird will be invited to a special shopping and fun event at our Girl Scout shops in August.

We know so many things she was looking forward to are canceled right now, but the Girl Scout experience she loves and has come to count on is still going and will continue to evolve to meet her needs.

 

On Time Renewal
On Time Renewal: Renew When You're Ready!
July 1-Sept. 9, 2020

Challenging times are when Girl Scout grit comes through the most! And we’ll continue to be here for you and your Girl Scout. Renew when you’re ready!

Individual

As life keeps changing, Girl Scouts will be here when she needs us most. All girls and volunteers who renew between July 1 and Sept. 9 will receive a special On Time patch.

Troop

When your Girl Scout is ready to renew, her troop will earn rewards. Every troop that renews the same number of members (girls and troop leadership/support volunteers) who were registered for the 2019-2020 membership year will receive the following rewards:

  • One free night stay (up to $75 value) at the council camp of their choice. The free stay will be good from Oct. 1, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2021.
  • Entered in a drawing for one of 20 $25 reward cards.
  • Earn an additional 2 cents per package during the 2021 cookie program if they participate in the 2020 Girl Scout Fall Product Program.

We know so many things she was looking forward to are canceled right now, but the Girl Scout experience she loves and has come to count on is still going and will continue to evolve to meet her needs.

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