How to Start a Troop

Decide to be a role model by joining Girl Scouts as a troop leader!

Grab your calendar and talk to your interested parents

You will need to decide on:
—Meeting location, zip code and city
—Meeting frequency, day and start time
—Meeting start date (when you plan to start holding meetings)
—Grade(s) of girls you wish to include

Set up your new troop

Fill out the Troop Number Request Form to receive your new troop’s number and register to be a volunteer!

Register to be a volunteer; once we have your troop number request, you will receive an email with a personal link and instructions to completing your membership registration.

Once registered check your email for your background check invitation with screening link, as it expires in 72 hours (check Spam folder if you don’t get a link within 24 hours of registration).

You will receive an email with your background screening approval and new troop number assignment.

Build your new troop

Take a look at the training resources available to you and complete the required training for the troop level you are leading: Volunteer Training & Resources.

Download the Girl and Adult Registration Steps for parents to add their girl and themselves to your new troop.

Need more girls? Contact us and we can provide a flyer to promote your troop in your school and community.

Get ready for your first troop meeting

Purchase a copy of the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting for your troop to share.

Schedule a parent meeting to share troop volunteer opportunities and collect safety forms. Parents should provide the Annual Permission and Girl Health History forms at or before the first troop meeting. All forms are available in our Forms Index.

Stay in touch

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter to stay connected to council events and find other awesome volunteers.

Subscribe to our Troop Leader blog: The Trailhead!