You’re an amazing Girl Scout Troop Leader. You’ve got this. We’re here to help!
We’ve put together resources specific for leading a troop below. For additional resources on the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, Programs, etc., please visit Volunteer Essentials.
Getting Started
Choosing a Meeting Place 
Troop Size
Knowing How Many Volunteers You Need
From camping weekends to cookie booths, adult volunteers must always be present to ensure their girls have fun and stay safe, no matter their grade level.
Who counts as a "Volunteer"? Volunteers are registered Girl Scout members with completed background checks.
Not sure just how many adults you’ll need for your activity? The helpful chart below breaks down the minimum number of volunteers needed to supervise a specific number of girls. For multi-level troops, go by the youngest program level in your troop.
Maintaining Your Troop Meeting Information and Roster
Creating a Year Plan
Tips for Leading a Meeting
Depending on the ages of your girls, you might take the lead in guiding the structure and experiences of your troop—from how and when meetings are held to how the troop communicates, from steering girl-led activities to setting financial expectations. You’ll make these decisions collaboratively with your volunteer team or co-leader, as well as with input from the girls and their parents and caregivers.
If you’re not sure where to start when planning meetings, we recommend two options:
- Volunteer Toolkit – Not only can you plan your troop’s year, but you can also access extensive meeting plans for each badge and journey. You can follow the meeting plan closely (it even includes a script!), or you can use it as inspiration for your own activities that meet the requirements.
Meeting plans that can be modified for the outdoors have a tree icon beside them. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to get your girls outside!
- Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting - The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting is available for girls at every program level. These grade level-specific binders will help you break it down for your girls. It’s part handbook, part badge book, and 100 percent fun!
- Volunteer Girl Led Progression Guide - A quick one page guide for volunteers to reference the essence of Girl Led principals of the GSLE (Girl Scout Leadership Experience).
Helpful Articles and Advice
GSUSA article: 5 things to know before your first meeting
GSUSA article: Ready, Set, Troop Meeting
Virtual Meeting Resources
When the COVID-19 pandemic created obstacles to meeting in person, Girl Scouts adapted by taking their meetings virtual! Though we have safely started meeting in person again, you may find yourself needing to utilize virtual meetings in the future for instances of bad weather, illness, or other.
These resources may be helpful to you:
- Quick Tips for Running a Virtual Meeting
- Safety Activity Checkpoints for Hosting a Virtual Troop Meeting
- Leading Engaging Virtual Meetings with your Daisies & Brownies
- Girl Scout Leader Chat Meeting Activities - Developed by other Girl Scout leaders, these are activities you can download and share with your troops.
- Virtual Girl Scout Activities Facebook Group Volunteer and parent led Facebook Group to compile at home Girl Scout resources.
Keep the Fun Going
Girl Safety
Parent/Caregiver Communication & Involvement
Troop Banking and Money Earning
Troop Meeting Activities
Product Programs
Getting Support from GSCB
Bridging and Ceremony Resources
Earn the Super Troop Patch
Bi-Monthly Volunteer Newsletters
