Course Descriptions

The volunteer application process, including criminal background check, must be completed before meeting with girls.  While paperwork is being processed you may attend Volunteer Essentials, Leadership Essentials, and Troop Essentials.

Leadership Courses

Volunteer Essentials (Step 1)
Prerequisite: Volunteer application process, including criminal background check, must be completed before meeting with girls.  While paperwork is being processed you may attend this course.

This is an orientation for all volunteers and covers the Girl Scout mission, vision and goals, what Girl Scouts do, and the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.  Information on Council policies, guidelines, resources and contacts is also provided.  “Volunteer Essentials” is available on-line and in a face-to-face meeting arranged through your local Service Center or Service Unit Team.
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Fee: There is no fee for this course.

Leadership Essentials (Step 2)
Prerequisite: MUST COMPLETE "VOLUNTEER ESSENTIALS" PRIOR TO REGISTERING FOR THIS COURSE. Volunteer application process, including criminal background check, must be completed before meeting with girls.  While paperwork is being processed you may attend this course.

This course is for all volunteers and provides an in-depth focus on delivering the Girl Scout Leadership Experience-- the outcomes/benefits we’re striving to achieve for girls and the processes that best achieve those outcomes.  Hands-on experience with the various programmatic resources is provided in this course.
Time Commitment: 3 hours
Fee: There is no fee for this course.

Troop Essentials (Step 3)
Prerequisite: MUST COMPLETE “VOLUNTEER ESSENTIALS” AND “LEADERSHIP ESSENTIALS”  PRIOR TO REGISTERING FOR THIS COURSE. Volunteer application process, including criminal background check, must be completed before meeting with girls.  While paperwork is being processed you may attend this course.

This course is for all volunteers wanting to work with troops.  “Troop Essentials” provides the basic information necessary to plan and run successful troop meetings.  It includes the roles and responsibilities of the Girl Scout leader, methods of obtaining parent and guardian support, important elements of troop meetings, girl and adult planning, finances, and crisis and risk management. Sample meeting plans and a sample year plan are included. 
Time Commitment: 3 hours
Fee: There is no fee for this course.

Outdoor Skills

Outdoor Adventure Workshop (OAW)
This workshop entitles leaders to be able to do outdoor activities with their troop including a day hike, outdoor games and nature activities, and basic outdoor cooking on a fire. The workshop will NOT entitle leaders to tent camp or sleep out - of - doors in cabins or shelters.  This is NOT a prerequisite for the other outdoor courses.

After this workshop, leaders will learn and understand principles of hike safety, fire safety and how to cook a one pot meal, dressing and layering for outdoor elements, Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains policies and procedures for taking a troop on a trip including transportation, how to prepare for possible first aid, health and crisis management incidents, “Leave No Trace” and outdoor area clean-up concerns, and they will be able to relay this information to their girls. Game and nature activities will be included.

At least one leader or consultant has to have taught and prepared the troop with this information and accompany them on their trip in order for the girls to do the day hike or fire building activities.

Basic Outdoor Living Skills (BOLS)
By the end of this training, participants will be able to help their troop plan and execute an outdoor camping/overnight trip by using progression in planning to guide girls in group decision making. Leaders will be able to teach their troop basic knife safety, knot tying, fundamentals of fire building and safety, map and compass skills, fundamentals of environmental awareness, how to prepare for the weather, identify proper clothing and gear for outdoor camping, trail signs, how to pack for an outdoor overnight, tent assembly and placement, meal planning, food storage techniques for the out – of – doors, cooking techniques for out – of – doors, hygienic  and low – impact cooking cleanup skills, trash management, personal hygiene skills, how to assemble and carry an appropriate first aid kit, Girl Scout camping traditions, how to set up and utilize kaper charts, and native plants and animal identification.

Leaders will learn the benefits to girls of camping and trip planning, how to manage girl behavior on overnights, how to guide girls in group decision making, identify at least three leadership styles, obtain and utilize Council troop trip alerts, arrange safe and appropriate transportation, locate Council properties and facilities, follow Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains policies and procedures regarding sleeping arrangements etc., correctly utilize relevant paperwork, and how to prepare for crisis and minimize risk.

At least one BOLS certified leader or consultant needs to have taught and thoroughly prepared the troop with BOLS information in advance before the troop goes on their out-of- doors overnight trip. At least one BOLS leader or consultant needs to accompany the troop on their trip as well.

Advanced Outdoor Living Skills (AOLS)
Prerequisite: Basic Outdoor Living Skills
By the end of this course participants will be able to take their troop on a multi night backpacking trip.

Topics in this course include: Items to carry when backpacking, how to prepare for the trip, how to choose an appropriate backpack and how to fit and pack it, how to choose appropriate footwear; stove; and sleeping bag, water purification, food handling and storage, tool craft, lashing, shelters, camp set-up and “Leave No Trace” principles, animal tracks, make and use a Clinometer and Star Finder, advanced orienteering, bear bags, cat holes and waste management, plus other games and activities to use when preparing a troop for a backpacking trip.

At least one AOLS certified leader or consultant needs to have taught and thoroughly prepared the troop with AOLS information. The leader or consultant needs to make sure all appropriate equipment is acquired or borrowed before the trip and that each troop member is well suited with correctly fitted gear. At least one AOLS certified leader or consultant needs to accompany the troop on their backpacking trip.

First Aid and CPR

American Red Cross Adult CPR (ARC Adult CPR)
For registered Girl Scout adults who will act as a group/troop first aider in situations where all girls are over age 8.This training covers Adult CPR only. Adults intending to act as group/troop first aiders must also obtain current certification in first aid which will not be covered in this training. CPR certification is valid for 1 year. A course textbook may be borrowed during the course, or purchased for $16.00. An optional First Aid patch is available for $2.00 to participants who successfully complete the course.
Time Commitment: 3.5 hours
Prerequisite: must be registered Girl Scout adult volunteer
Fee: $10.00

American Red Cross Adult and Child CPR (ARC A & C CPR)
For registered Girl Scout adults who will act as a group/troop first aider at any age level. This training covers Adult and Child CPR. Adults intending to act as group/troop first aiders must also obtain current certification in first aid which will not be covered in this training. CPR certification is valid for 1 year. A course textbook may be borrowed during the course, or purchased for $16.00. An optional First Aid patch is available for $2.00 to participants who successfully complete the course.
Time Commitment: 4.5 hours
Prerequisite: must be registered Girl Scout adult volunteer
Fee: $10.00

American Red Cross Adult, Child and Infant CPR (ARC A, C & I CPR)
For registered Girl Scout adults who will act as a group/troop first aider at any age level. This training covers Adult, Child and Infant CPR. Adults intending to act as group/troop first aiders must also obtain current certification in first aid which will not be covered in this training. CPR certification is valid for 1 year. A course textbook may be borrowed during the course, or purchased for $16.00. An optional First Aid patch is available for $2.00 to participants who successfully complete the course.
Time Commitment: 5 hours
Prerequisite: must be registered Girl Scout adult volunteer
Fee: $10.00

American Red Cross Adult CPR and First Aid (ARC Adult CPR FA)
For registered Girl Scout adults who will act as a group/troop first aider in situations where all girls are over age 8. CPR certification is valid for 1 year. First Aid certification is valid for 3 years. A course textbook may be borrowed during the course, or purchased for $16.00. An optional First Aid patch is available for $2.00 to participants who successfully complete the course.
Time Commitment: 5.5 hours
Prerequisite: must be registered Girl Scout adult volunteer
Fee: $15.00

American Red Cross Adult and Child CPR and First Aid (ARC A & C CPR FA)
For registered Girl Scout adults who will act as a group/troop first aider at any age level. CPR certification is valid for 1 year. First Aid certification is valid for 3 years. A course textbook may be borrowed during the course, or purchased for $16.00. An optional First Aid patch is available for $2.00 to participants who successfully complete the course.
Time Commitment: 6.5 hours
Prerequisite: must be registered Girl Scout adult volunteer
Fee: $15.00

American Red Cross Adult, Child and Infant CPR and First Aid (ARC A, C & I CPR FA)
For registered Girl Scout adults who will act as a group/troop first aider at any age level. CPR certification is valid for 1 year. First Aid certification is valid for 3 years. A course textbook may be borrowed during the course, or purchased for $16.00. An optional First Aid patch is available for $2.00 to participants who successfully complete the course.
Time Commitment: 7 hours
Prerequisite: must be registered Girl Scout adult volunteer
Fee: $15.00

American Red Cross First Aid (ARC FA)
For registered Girl Scout adults, this training covers the basics of first aid. Additional CPR training will be required for adults to act as group/troop first aider. First aid certification is valid for 3 years. A course textbook may be borrowed during courses, or purchased for $16.00. An optional First Aid patch is available for $2.00 to participants who successfully complete the course.
Time Commitment: 4 hours
Prerequisite: must be registered Girl Scout adult volunteer
Fee: $8.00

American Red Cross CPR Review (ARC CPR Review)
For people currently certified in ARC Adult, Infant & Child CPR who would like to renew their certification and stay current. Review courses will have a short review session followed by the written and practical exams. CPR re-certification is valid for 1 year.
Time Commitment: 4 hours
Prerequisite: current certification in ARC CPR. Must be registered Girl Scout adult volunteer.
Fee: $10.00

American Red Cross CPR Challenge (ARC CPR Challenge)
For people currently certified in ARC Adult, Infant & Child CPR who are confident in their skills and who would like to renew their certification and stay current. Challenge courses will be a testing situation only. CPR re-certification is valid for 1 year.
Time Commitment: 1 hour
Prerequisite: current certification in ARC CPR. Must be registered Girl Scout adult volunteer.
Fee: $10.00

American Red Cross CPR Instructor Course
For people currently certified in ARC CPR who would like to become Authorized American Red Cross instructors of First Aid & CPR and who plan to train ARC First Aid & CPR for the Council. $60.00 financial aid available to all who commit to providing a minimum of four First Aid & CPR courses for Girl Scout volunteers over the next two years.
Time Commitment: 30 hours
Prerequisite: Current certification in ARC First Aid and Adult, Infant & Child CPR. Must be registered Girl Scout adult volunteer.
Fee: $130

AHA Pediatric First Aid (AHA Pediatric FA)
This course will cover Pediatric First Aid (treatment for infants through teenagers) for registered Girl Scout adults who will act as a group/troop first aider. Covers Illness, Injuries and optional topics. AHA First Aid certification is valid for 2 years. Course textbook is included in the cost of the course. ***Course fee due directly to trainer***Attendees also registering for AHA Adult, Child, Infant CPR should contact instructor for adjusted course fee***
Prerequisite: must be registered Girl Scout adult volunteer
Fee: $17.00

AHA Adult, Child, Infant CPR (AHA A C I CPR)
This course covers Adult, Child and Infant CPR as well as relief of choking. This course is very physical and hands on. Attendees who may need accommodation should contact instructor. Adults intending to act as group/troop first aiders must also obtain current certification in first aid which will not be covered in this training.  AHA CPR certification is valid for 2 years. Course charge includes textbook with accompanying CD. ***Course fee due directly to trainer***Attendees also registering for AHA Pediatric FA should contact instructor for adjusted course fee***
Prerequisite: must be registered Girl Scout adult volunteer
Fee: $16.00

Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains
One Commerce Drive • Bedford, NH 03110
Mailing address:
PO Box 10832 • Bedford, NH 03110-0832
Phone: 603.627.4158 • Fax: 603.627.4169

E-mail: info@girlscoutsgwm.org

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