Become a Volunteer | Girl Scouts

Help Girl Scouts be their best selves this year.

It's always the right time to make a difference—and now is the perfect time to do that as a Girl Scout volunteer. Discover how good it feels to help Girl Scouts find their voice.

Just by being yourself, you can be a person that girls can count on—the one who listens intently, who encourages them to chase their goals, who keeps them laughing, and who helps them feel confident in who they are. Together, you’ll build a community where every girl is celebrated and valued.

You don't have to have a child of your own to get involved; all you need is a passion for mentoring the next generation of leaders. We are ready to get you started!

Girl Scout Experience Box

New Daisy (Grades K–1) or Brownie (Grades 2–3) troops can receive complimentary monthly meeting supplies delivered right to their door.

LET'S GO!

Preview Your Year

Get a glimpse into all the fun you’ll make possible as a troop leader with our easy-to-follow Troop Year Plans.

SEE PLANS

Join a Troop

Join an established troop as a troop leader or other essential volunteer.

Start a Troop

Learn how to start your own Girl Scout troop and help Girl Scouts make their community brighter.

Service Unit Volunteer

Become a Service Unit Volunteer to support the troops in your community.

Your Local Council

Want to help Girl Scouts in your community? Contact us below and we’ll share the best volunteer opportunities nearby.

LEARN MORE

Troop Volunteer Roles

Troop Leader (traditional troop) toggle arrow

Work with other bright, creative people as a team to guide Girl Scouts in growing life and leadership skills though teamwork and exciting activities. A troop leader coordinates and organizes the meeting activities, communicates with parents and families, and engages their Girl Scouts to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Traditional style troops can have multiple troop leaders, typically 2-3, that team up to share responsibility and leadership for the meeting activities.

Assistant Troop Leader (traditional troop) toggle arrow

Work alongside your troop leader to coordinate and organize the meeting activities, communicate with parents and families, and engage Girl Scouts to create memories that will last a lifetime!

Troop Treasurer toggle arrow

The troop treasurer is a vital part of any Girl Scout troop and helps make all the troop's activities possible by managing the troop funds and bank account. Trustworthy and reliable, this volunteer works with the troop and troop leader to help develop a budget, make sure dues and payments are collected at meetings, manage the troop checking account, and share the troop balance with the troop and their families (all while helping the troop learn important financial literacy and money management skills).

Troop Cookie Chair toggle arrow

Did you know that the Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-run business in the world?

Troop Cookie Chairs help foster entrepreneurship, business ethics, money management, and people skills in their troop by supporting the troop's cookie program. They'll support by coordinating family orders, distributing and maintaining inventory, reserving booth locations, and keeping the focus where it belongs: on the Girl Scouts!

Plus, all the money your troop earns through the cookie program stays with your troop to fund activities and events all year long. Whether it’s a trip they’ll never forget, a service project that will change their community forever, or the opportunity to build a lifetime of memories at camp, Girl Scout Cookies help make it happen!

Troop Fall Product Program Manager toggle arrow

Troop Fall Product Product Program Managers guide the troop through the Fall Product Program. Similar to the Troop Cookie Chair, the Troop Fall Product Program Manager fosters entrepreneurship, business ethics, money management, and people skills in their troop by supporting the troop's participation in the Fall Product Program.

Troop Helper/Chaperone toggle arrow

Troop Helpers and Chaperones are role models, mentors, and vital members of a happy, successful troop. They coordinate field trips, chaperone cookie booths, organize and attend camping trips, or share their unique talents with Girl Scouts as the troop earns badges related to their expertise—the opportunities are endless!

While each troop has its own way of creating an action-packed Girl Scout experience, youth always get more out of their time in Girl Scouts when volunteers are there to help. Being a Troop Helper/Chaperone is a great opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Time commitment and specific Troop Helper volunteer roles are flexible and depend on the troop’s needs.

Troop Admin (Co-Op troop) toggle arrow

The Troop Admin in a co-op troop coordinates the calendar and communicates with families, GSNorCal, and the Service Unit.

Troop Program Coordinator (Co-Op troop) toggle arrow

In a co-op troop, the Troop Program Coordinator plans out the troop year with the Girl Scouts to determine activities and badges the troop will pursue.

Troop Trip and Outdoor Coordinator toggle arrow

Trip and Outdoor Coordinators help the troop plan, budget, and prepare for their troop and outdoor adventures. Specific training is provided to help you learn how to prepare Girl Scouts for travel and outdoor experiences in progressive steps following Girl Scouts Travel Progression  and Outdoor Progression  Charts.

Troop First Aider toggle arrow

Troop First Aiders play a vital role in keeping everyone safe during Girl Scout activities, outings, and events. They are responsible for providing first aid when needed and helping ensure the overall well-being of both youth and adults.

Girl Scout troops are encouraged to have multiple trained First Aiders to help ensure coverage and peace of mind during all types of events. Volunteers supporting any first aid responsibilities must hold a valid First Aid/CPR certification or be a licensed healthcare provider with proof of professional training.

Have questions about volunteering? toggle arrow

Please send questions about volunteering to info@gsnorcal.org.

Training and Volunteer Requirements toggle arrow

As a Girl Scout volunteer, you'll become part of a vibrant community of dedicated individuals supporting youth across Northern California, and across the country!

To get started, all volunteers must be at least 18 years old, and those who plan to drive Girl Scouts must be at least 21. They also need to complete the following steps:

Register as a member of Girl Scouts of Northern California
Complete a background screening (requirements vary based on your role and hours with youth)
Complete Mandated Reporter training and any additional training required for your specific role

These steps must be completed before supporting youth troop members in any capacity.

Please note: You'll need to register as a member before you can begin the background screening process. Access to our online training portal is only available once your clearance is on file with Girl Scouts of Northern California and you've assigned yourself a volunteer role in the myGS system. Learn more about background screening requirements on gsHelpCenter.