Start a Troop

Do you love inspiring girls to grow, learn, and shine?

As a Girl Scout troop leader, you’ll guide girls to build confidence, explore the outdoors, make new friends, and discover their strengths, all while having fun every step of the way.

A troop is so much more than just a group; it’s a tight-knit community where girls of all backgrounds come together to share adventures, try new things, cheer each other on, and grow into leaders side by side. It’s where laughter echoes during campouts, friendships bloom during badge activities, and every girl feels encouraged to be her true, authentic self.

And you won’t do it alone: with training, ready-to-go meeting plans, and an entire Girl Scout team by your side, you’ll feel confident and prepared to lead.

Be the role model they’ll remember forever, become a Girl Scout troop leader today!

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If you’re ready to be a champion for Girl Scouts and help them grow their courage, resilience, and can-do spirit, you’re ready to be a troop leader.

Girl Scout troop leaders are a dynamic and diverse group, and there’s no one “type” of volunteer. Whether you’re a recent college grad, a parent, or a retiree—really, people of any gender with a sense of curiosity and adventure who are 18 or older and have passed our council's screening process—your unique skills and experiences and your mentorship can open your Girl Scouts’ eyes to a world of possibility.

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Girl Scout Experience Box

New Daisy (K-1) & Brownie (2-3) troop leaders from participating councils can receive complimentary monthly supplies delivered right to their door.

LET’S GO!

an illustration of a troop leader and the troop year plan PDFs

Preview Your Year

Our easy-to-follow Troop Year Plans are available for troops of all ages! Check out the fun that awaits you and your troop.

SEE PLANS

How to Start a Troop

After becoming a member of Girl Scouts, you can choose your troop leader volunteer role through your Girl Scout account at MyGS. You’ll complete some trainings to help you succeed as well as undergo a background check before meeting with your Girl Scouts.

Teaming up with a co-leader or troop volunteers, you’ll decide where and when troop meetings take place, and then you’ll set up a meeting with your troop families to talk about things like meeting logistics and the roles they can play in troop life.

Girl Scout leaders are supported every step of the way. Follow the steps below to get started.

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Getting Started Checklist
Step-by-step satisfaction for getting started as a new troop leader in Girl Scouts.

Attend a Q&A
Get your questions answered live with a council Recruitment Specialist and connect with fellow prospective leaders at one of our Discover Girl Scouts "How to Start a Troop" sessions.

Getting Started in Leadership trainings
Log into MyGS and click gsLearn to follow this learning path that guides you through the basics of troop leadership on your own schedule.

New Leader’s Guide to Success/Guía al éxito para nuevos líderes
Printable resource guide that aligns to the Getting Started in Leadership trainings.

Girl Scout Family Connection Guide
Share this overview of what a year in Girl Scouts is like with troop families as you welcome them to Girl Scouts and your troop.

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Troop Volunteer Roles Worksheet
Many volunteer skills, interests, and abilities are needed for a troop to be successful – use this worksheet to help you start a conversation with other adults about how they can get involved!

Host a Parent/Caregiver Meeting
Outlining clear expectations, building a team, and engaging families in the Girl Scout experience is a great way to start off on the right foot.

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Troop Year Plans
Our age-appropriate troop year plans are the best tool for first-year troop leaders to get started with Girl Scouts without getting overwhelmed.

Volunteer Toolkit
When you’re ready to start planning your year, log into the online Volunteer Toolkit, your official source for delivering easy, fun troop meetings year-round, through your MyGS Account. Check out the VTK Troop Volunteer Guide for extra help.

Handbooks
Would you rather have something physically in your hands? You can grab printed program materials at our physical shop in Waltham or conveniently order them from girlscoutshop.org.

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Here are some strategies and resources for inviting others to join in the fun with your troop!

Talk About It
Get others in your community excited about Girl Scouts by sharing what you’re doing and inviting them to join you.

Online Registration Instructions
Step by step instructions for how to register as a new Girl Scout.

Printable Fillable “Join My Troop” Flyers
Distribute and post flyers at schools and in the community (with permission).

Girl-to-girl invites: Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Multi-level
Adult-to-adult invites: English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Tri-lingual

Share on Social

Share troop openings on social media using the images above. Here’s some sample messaging you can customize:

I am starting up a new Daisy Girl Scout troop for future Girl Scouts in K-1 in the [COMMUNITY NAME] area, and I would love to have your family join us! Our troop will do all sorts of exciting things, from earning badges to exploring nature, going on field trips, participating in the Cookie Program, and more! To find out more, just ask for additional information at gsema.org/moreinfo.

Looking for additional support?

Q&A Sessions: Attend one of our New Leader Drop-In Sessions to get your questions answered live, connect with fellow leaders, and get to know your Volunteer Support Specialist. More sessions coming this fall!
Staff & Peer Support: Email us at customercare@gsema.org or call and leave a message at 844-306-4736. Your Girl Scout staff support team is available to answer questions big and small. And you may also have a support network of local community leadership volunteers who can show you the ins and outs of Girl Scouting in your area.
GSUSA Tips: Check out GSUSA's Tips for Troop Leaders. With accessible advice and inspiring ideas from fellow leaders who've been there, troop leaders can make this troop year their best ever!