1
Register as a member of the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA). You cannot get a background check or have your training linked to your name until you are registered as an adult member of the GSUSA. If you were a Girl Scout when the new system was put into place, you might already have an account and can register as an adult member through the MyGS account. Most will not have an account and can easily register online. You can simply go to the main Girl Scout website: go to For Adults and click the "Volunteer Now" button on that page. (See referenced foot note for link to that specific page[2]). From here, you will enter basic information and may have to answer a few questions about why you are joining Girl Scouts.
If you have a Troop number assigned to you, make sure you know it before you register so your name can automatically be linked to that troop.
If you do not know your Troop number or do not see the Troop Leader opening when registering, you will need to call your local council and have them set it up manually after you register. Find your local council here: (See reference foot note for link)[3]
You will have to pay a $25 registration fee.
Image titled Start and Manage a Daisy Girl Scout Troop Step 4
2
Undergo a Criminal Background Check (CBC). All Daisy Troop leaders must pass a CBC. If you register as a Leader Volunteer you will automatically get sent an email requesting you start this process. If you are not assigned a Troop number yet, you will need to contact your local Girl Scout Council to start this process.
The CBC ensures that you are fit to supervise young children. Each Girl Scout Council will have a slightly different process so contact them if you have any questions.
Most will ask you to pay for the CBC but will also usually give you an option NOT to pay. If you choose not to pay, the local Girl Scout Council will foot the bill.
Image titled Start and Manage a Daisy Girl Scout Troop Step 2
3
Select a co-leader, if necessary. You must have two GSUSA registered adults for any size of troop. Larger troops require more GSUSA registered adults depending on their grade level. It is not mandatory to have a designated co-leader. If you are the only leader and there are several parents that will be GSUSA registered, they are able to come and be the second adult without being a leader. However, if you are ever sick, the meetings would be cancelled without a designated co-leader. For this reason, it is highly recommended that you get a second adult.
You should always have a parent meeting, with the parents of the girls of your troop. This way, you can ask if a parent is interested in taking the steps to become a co-leader, if you do not have one at the start. Make sure you it is someone you feel you can work well with on a semi-professional basis.
Image titled Start and Manage a Daisy Girl Scout Troop Step 5
4
Complete online training. All adult registered members of GSUSA, that are involved with the girls, should complete an online training program. It is called Girl Scout Training 101 and takes around 45 minutes. This program goes over the basics of Girl Scouts. (See reference for direct link to Volunteer training page of GSUSA[4])
Each local Girl Scout Council will have additional Troop Leader training. Their website will often have links to what can be done online. If you ever have a question about training, reach out to your local Girl Scout Council and they will be more than happy to help.
Pay close attention during the online training session. You may want to take notes throughout the training session, as some information will be invaluable later on when managing your own troop. If you can, take any training in person, as it often focuses helpful information, while not wasting a lot of time on the less necessary, topics. You also get to ask questions from people that have been through the training sessions before. That is priceless.
Leader specific training introduces you to the basics of managing a Girl Scout Troop. It talks about the values of Girl Scouts as an organization and explains how to start a bank account. It also shows where you can find information on planning troop activities, how to order materials for your troop. and what materials you will need to run your troop. There may also be information about the logistics for cookie sales.