Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get the best support from Customer Care? toggle arrow

Below are some suggestions for how to get your needs met as quickly as possible when you contact our Customer Care team for support:

1. When you contact Customer Care team via phone or email, you’re not just sending an email, you’re opening up a case in our system.

2. Please have the individual who needs the action taken contact us so that the case will link to the correct record. (Exceptions: updating how a troop appears in the troop catalog or troop transfers should be completed by the troop leader, SAM.)

3. We can help you best if you group together like issues into one case each. For example, if you need to check on the status of your criminal background check AND ask a question about your Girl Scout’s fall product sales, please enter these as two separate cases.

4. Finally, when you first email or reply to Customer Care, please don’t CC or BCC anyone else. Every time someone besides you replies to that email thread, a new case opens up in our system!

What are the Service Center and Shop hours? toggle arrow

To view our locations and hours, click here!

What does GSHG's footprint look like? toggle arrow

Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia serves more than 8,000 girls and 3,000 adults in 122 counties across Georgia as well as two counties in South Carolina and one county in Alabama. Our council’s footprint is more than 48,000 square miles! Check out our service map to see if we serve your county.

I have girls in my troop of various religions/no religion. How can I accommodate them in saying the Girl Scout Promise? toggle arrow

To accommodate girls of varying faiths in saying the Girl Scout promise, volunteers are responsible for being sensitive to the spiritual beliefs of all girls, making sure that everyone in the group feels comfortable and included in Girl Scouting. Individual girls may substitute the word "God" in the Promise with whatever word is applicable to the girl's spiritual beliefs, but, like the Pledge of Allegiance, the official Girl Scout Promise includes the word "God" in both its spoken and written form.

Girl Scouts Discrimination Policy toggle arrow

Girls and volunteers cannot be excluded from activities based on race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, marital or socioeconomic status, disability, or age. Girl Scouts is an inclusive organization. Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia is committed to having its membership reflect the diversity of population groups within its jurisdiction.

Planned Parenthood Statement toggle arrow

Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, Inc. has no affiliation or partnership with Planned Parenthood, nor does the organization take a position on abortion or birth control.

While Girl Scouts recognizes the growing and changing issues facing today's girls, we also recognize the integrity and authority of each girl's family and faith community to educate and advise her on sensitive issues.

Girl Scouts believes that matters related to reproductive health are personal and private and are best decided by girls and their families. In practice, discussion about sensitive issues with girls is conducted only with informed parental consent.

Cookie Program toggle arrow

Palm Oil and Girl Scout Cookies FAQ

Please use the above document to answer questions about the Girl Scout Cookie Program and palm oil, cocoa beans, etc.

To learn more about the Girl Scout Cookie Program, click here!

I have a media inquiry. Who do I contact? toggle arrow

Looking for a wow-worthy story? Look no further! From inspiring programs to community bettering projects, we always have a story brewing. For information and inquiries, visit our newsroom or contact Brianna Mahon, multimedia communications manager, at bmahon@gshg.org

My girls were in the news! How do I get a patch? toggle arrow

We love seeing our girls in the news and will happily send a patch to any girls featured in news stories about Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia!

Please submit a completed submission form along with a clip of the news story or send an email to media@gshg.org!

My business is interested in working with GSHG. Do you have advertising opportunities? toggle arrow

Yes! Along with ads on our social media and in our monthly newsletter, we sell space in our annual Program, Resource and Summer Camp Guide. This guide is distributed to our entire membership and referenced frequently throughout the year. Advertising opportunities are also available through our annual Signature Events. Interested? Please contact Brianna Mahon, multimedia communications manager, at bmahon@gshg.org

I want to stay in the loop. How does GSHG communicate? toggle arrow

To keep up with all things GSHG, visit our website frequently and follow us on social media.!

Registered members who have email communications opted in will automatically read our weekly email newsletter, 5 on Friday. If you are a Girl Scout Alum, check out our alumni newsletter and connect with other alumni in the area!

GSHG Social
Facebook: Girl Scouts Historic Georgia
Instagram: girlscoutshistoricgeorgia
LinkedIn: Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia<
YouTube: Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia
Flickr: Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia
Pinterest: Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia

FHQ Social
Facebook: Girl Scout First Headquarters
Instagram: girlscoutfirstheadquarters

Camp Social
Facebook: Girl Scout Camp Martha Johnston
Facebook: Girl Scout Camp Tanglewood
Facebook: Girl Scout Camp Low

How do I manage my email preferences? toggle arrow

Subscribe: All registered volunteers and members are automatically subscribed to receive our email updates. While we try to limit the number of emails we send, we will occasionally send important reminders or area specific information. Please note that these emails may go to your spam folder.

Unsubscribe: If you no longer wish to receive any general emails from GSHG, simply click the “unsubscribe” button on any of our email messages. This will remove you from our mailing list. Unsubscribing will NOT stop delivery of any transactional messages that are a critical part of GSHG membership. For example, if you registered for one of our programs, you will still receive an email confirming that you've registered. Unsubscribing from GSHG general emails also does not unsubscribe you from GSUSA emails, and vice versa.

For questions, please contact Customer Care at 1-888-689-1912.

How can I be sure to see posts from GSHG on my Facebook timeline? toggle arrow

Even if you like us on Facebook, you may not see many of our posts. If you don't want to miss important updates, like our page and then hover over the "Following" button to select the "See First" option.

My girls are doing amazing things! How can my girls be featured in the newsletter or on social media? toggle arrow

We love it when you share your happenings with us! Send updates and pictures to our Media email to be featured in our newsletter and on social.

Where can I find all GSHG pictures and videos? toggle arrow

We try hard to regularly share photos and videos on our Facebook and Instagram accounts. You can also find photos from our signature events on our Flickr account. If you have pictures you'd like to share, please send them to our Media email!

How can I use social media to better my troop? toggle arrow

Keep us in the loop! Whether you've created a private Facebook group to share photos and info with parents or your Service Unit has created its own website, be sure to check out our Brand Center and Social Media Guidelines!

How do I donate to GSHG? toggle arrow

In addition to donating your time, there are many ways to help support the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE). Whether you choose to make a one time donation, become a monthly giver or include us in your estate plan, we're grateful for your gift. You can also help us raise funds by sponsoring a signature event or participating in other giving programs. Learn more or donate directly here!

My business is interested in purchasing a sponsorship. Who do I contact? toggle arrow

If your business is interested in purchasing a sponsorship for one of our events, please contact LaDon Shaw, Chief Advancement Officer.

How do I know what uniform and uniform pieces to get my new Girl Scout? toggle arrow

The shop can serve you in several ways. The staff in all three shops are very knowledgeable and the shops carry everything for each level Girl Scout.

Girl Scouts from each grade level have one official uniform item (a sash, vest, or tunic) to display badges, pins, awards, and other insignia. This item is required when you participate in ceremonies or officially represent Girl Scouts. You can wear your sash, vest, or tunic over official Girl Scout gear or over a white shirt and khaki pants or skirt. Depending on grade level, official uniform items may be blue, brown, green, or khaki.

Need help with where to place badges, pins, awards, and other insignia? Check out the Girl Scout uniform diagram powerpoint.

The shops are located in Athens, Macon, and Savannah. View their locations here or shop online!

What is the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, and how can the shop help? toggle arrow

The GSLE is center of the Girl Scout program and a collection of activities and experiences that include earning badges and high awards, selling cookies, going on trips, exploring the outdoors and learning to do Take Action projects. The shop staff is extremely knowledgeable of the GSLE and shares the collective history of Troop Leader, Volunteer and Girl experiences.

Do the GSHG shops have Girl Scout t-shirts and other items besides uniforms? toggle arrow

The shops carry the full line of Core items like Uniforms and Badges, but they also carry Girl Scout and Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia t-shirts, totes, accessories, and gifts. Depending on the season or the Girl Scout calendar, the shop carries items to compliment experiences. For instance, during Cookie Season, the shops carry Cookie Selling Support items such as Cookie t-shirts, Cookie booth items, yard signs, buttons and other tools to help a girl reach her sales goal.

When I buy online, does that money benefit only GSUSA? toggle arrow

The online shop sales also benefit the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia (GSHG) Council and help fund programs in our Council. Not all specific GSHG items can be found in the online shop.

Can I use GSHG Girl Scout Cookie Points online? toggle arrow

Yes, GSHG Online Cookie Points can be used in the GSUSA online shop.

Can you tell me more about the cost, duration and benefit of registering as a Girl Scout? toggle arrow

Annual membership dues go to Girl Scouts of the USA and help support the mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character. By joining, girls become part of a national sisterhood of 2.8 million members, gaining access to a wide range of programs, events, and resources.

All members, both girl and adult, pay dues annually. The membership year runs from October 1 through September 30. Dues for the 2024–2025 membership year are $30. For the 2025–2026 membership year, dues will be $50. Learn more here!

What is the minimum age/grade for joining Girl Scouts? toggle arrow

Any girl in grades K-12 can join Girl Scouts. In order to begin, a girl must be in Kindergarten. We are so excited that parents are interested in getting their daughters involved right away and can't wait to have them as brand new Daisies once they are old enough to join!

Must I be a registered member to participate in Girl Scouts? toggle arrow

Yes. Anyone who wants to participate in activities such as trips, events, or meetings must be registered. Plus, participating with your daughter enriches her experience!

Do I need to register every year? How do we register? toggle arrow

Yes, all girls and adults participating in our movement should be registered members of Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA). Members will need to pay the $25 fee annually- with the exception of adults who are lifetime members or who are working in a temporary advisory or consultative capacity.

Click here for myGS to renew!

If I register online, how does my daughter get a troop? toggle arrow

When you register your daughter online, you will be asked to enter your zip code and the available troops in that area will be displayed for you to select from. These troops may be established or may still be forming, needing more girls or adult volunteers. If you sign up for a forming troop, our staff will contact you with meeting details when the troop is fully formed.

I want to know if there is a troop for my girl before I sign her up. toggle arrow

We encourage you not to wait until there is a troop before you sign your girl up. When you sign your girl up for Girl Scouts, you can choose the troop that will best suit your family. If the troop is forming, we will need adult volunteers in order for it to start meeting. When you click join on our website and enter your girl's information, you will be taken to the Opportunity Catalog which lists all the troops available by location. The best way to search is to search by zip code and then scroll through the selections until you find the school or location of the troop you want your daughter placed in. If the listing shows that adult volunteers are needed, this means that we still need adult volunteers before we can form the troop. Consider signing up as a volunteer and helping out with your girl’s troop.

I have requested financial assistance for my daughter for membership. What happens next? toggle arrow

Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia allocates funds for the sole purpose of assisting new members with paying their membership dues. These funds are limited and are granted based upon a specific set of criteria. There are also health insurance plans (Amerigroup, Peach State, Well Care, and Care Source) that provide free Girl Scout memberships and a voucher to be used to purchase program materials from the Girl Scout shop. Learn more about recieving financial assistance!

What materials will my daughter need to begin her Girl Scouting experience? toggle arrow

Uniforms are not required; however, we do recommend that you purchase a sash or vest with membership pins and troop numbers so your daughter has a place to display the badges and patches earned or awarded. The "My Girl Scout Kit" is a great value and has everything needed to begin the Girl Scout experience. The My Girl Scout Kit includes a Girl’s Guide, a Journey book, sash or vest, membership pins, and troop numbers. My Girl Scout Kits are available at all GSHG Council Shop locations or on our online shop.

How do I register or renew my troop members? toggle arrow

Visit myGS to renew the membership of your troop members. Once you are logged in as a leader click the Troop tab and renew the members who show a renew status; to opt out of renewing a specific membership for the time being change the status to "I’ll decide later” using the drop-down tab to the right of the person’s name. Continue to the payment screen, enter credit or debit card information and checkout to complete the renewal.

Which membership registrations cannot be done online? toggle arrow

While the majority of memberships can be handled online, there are a few exceptions that must be taken care of using the traditional paper method.

1. Checks, Money Orders, Cash - These cannot be accepted online. All online registrations require credit/debit cards. Troops leaders without a troop debit/credit card will not be able to re-register members online; however, a leader's personal debit/credit card can be used to register members and the leader can be reimbursed by a troop check. Troop leaders can submit paper forms to a GSHG service center. Note: Paper forms take much longer to process than those completed online and may delay membership information from appearing on a troop's roster.

2. Discounted Lifetime memberships (graduating Girl Scout Ambassadors only) may only be handled by turning in a paper form.

Where can I get paper forms for offline membership registration? toggle arrow

Paper membership registration forms are available in the GSHG Forms Library. Here is the Adult membership Form and the Girl Membership Form . If you choose to complete a paper application, please mail them to your local office.

Are membership dues transferable from one year to another or from one person to another? toggle arrow

Membership dues are non-transferrable and cannot be transferred to another member or another membership year.

How is a membership transferred from one troop to another within GSHG? toggle arrow

All troop transfer requests should be submitted by using the Change of Membership form. This form will expedite transfers from one troop to another within Girl Scouts of Historic GA. Please fill out this form separately for each individual needing to be transferred.

You may use this form if:
• You are one of the Troop Leaders receiving the Girl Scout member
• You are the Service Area Manager, District Chair, or Registrar in charge of the troop receiving the Girl Scout member
• You are a GSHG staff member
• You are a parent or guardian requesting a transfer of any family members to the Individually-Registered Member (IRM) / Juliette troop in your service area or district (IRM/Juliettes are members not affiliated with a troop, but are affiliated with a service area or district and complete Girl Scout activities with the guidance of their families)

Do not use this form if:
• You are a parent/guardian requesting a transfer of any family members to a traditional troop, as we will still need to hear from your new troop leader to place your Girl Scout. Please have your new troop leader fill out this form.
• You are a troop leader sending a girl or adult to another troop. We need to hear from the receiving troop leader, or alternatively, the SAM, District Chair, or appropriate GSHG staff member.

How can I make a request to transfer a membership in a Girl Scout council to or from GSHG? toggle arrow

If you need to have memberships transferred to or from GSHG, please fill out this form: GSHG Council-to-Council Transfer Request.
GSHG is "Council 325” and a “Salesforce Council."
Please note that only currently registered members can be transferred into GSHG.

You will need the following information: Each member's full name (indicate Girl or Adult), date of birth, former home address including zip code, current home address and zip code, email address, and current phone number (optional). Transfers can take up to 2 weeks.

If you need assistance from GSHG with this process, please email us at customercare@gshg.org and include all demographic information listed above.

Does Girl Scouts run background checks on its volunteers? toggle arrow

Yes. Protecting the girls and young women in our care as well as the Girl Scout Movement is top priority, and screenings and checks are integral parts of our due diligence process and risk management policy. Background screening is the process of authenticating the information supplied by an applicant. At Girl Scouts, the screening of volunteers includes background checks, which are performed by Asurint, an independent, third-party agency.

How does someone get a criminal background check completed? toggle arrow

After an adult registers online as a member and completes payment of the membership fee, the adult has an option to choose a volunteer role. When an adult chooses a volunteer role that requires a background check, the individual will automatically be requested to supply information required for the background check.

What is covered in a criminal background check? toggle arrow

Background checks, conducted by Asurint, consist of an Advanced Criminal History Record Locator Search, including any Government Watch List, and a 50 State Department of Justice Registered Sex Offender Search.

How long does it take for a criminal background check to be approved? toggle arrow

Once an invitation to complete a background check is "answered" by a volunteer, our third party background check vendor generally takes an average of 3-5 business days to complete the background check report. In certain special circumstances, the process can take longer. Always allow yourself several weeks before a criminal background check is needed.

How do I cancel an activity registration, and can I get a refund? toggle arrow

All registration and refund information is listed in our Program Guide.

Refunds

A full refund will be made if:
• the event is canceled by the council staff
• you cancel your registration in writing four weeks prior to the event

Refunds will be made by check or credit card, except in the case of cookie program credits, which cannot be refunded. These may be transferred to another program. Some events are subject to partial refund due to costs set by outside vendors. Troops and/or individuals who do not show up for a program event will not receive a refund.

How do I register for an activity online? toggle arrow

Registrations are typically done online through either Wufoo or gsEvents. All programs are listed online under Events. To find your desired event, scroll through the event list or event calendar. Once you've found your event, read the description and click the registration button. This will take you directly to the registration form.

If you need further instructions, please refer to the Program Registration page of the Program Guide

How do I register or renew my troop members? toggle arrow

All new members need to use the Girl Registration form or Adult Registration form. To renew, please use My GS to log in as a Troop Leader, click on Troop and renew the members who show a renew status. To opt out of renewing a specific membership, change the status to "I’ll decide later” using the drop-down tab to the right of the person’s name. Continue to the payment screen, enter credit or debit card information and checkout to complete the renewal.

If I start the renewal process but don't finish, can I go back later? toggle arrow

Yes! When you log back into your account, you should receive a prompt asking if you would like to continue or start over.

What does the Status column mean on my troop's roster? toggle arrow

The Status column will tell you if a membership is current or not.

Other helpful terms
• Current: the membership is active for the year shown.
• Time to Renew: the member does not have a membership for that year.
• In Progress: the parent started the membership process but did not finish it. For adults that have selected a volunteer role, it can also mean that their background check is being processed.
• Payment Pending: the member has not completed the payment
• Inactive: the member is no longer active or no longer active in your troop.

What if a girl is not returning or is unsure if she will return to the troop next year? toggle arrow

Using the Renewal Choice column, options you can select are Renew, I'll Decide Later and Do Not Renew.

• If the girl is joining a different troop; you can choose to Renew her and then have the receiving leader submit a transfer request using the Troop Transfer Request Form.
• If you are unsure if a member is returning, please select I'll Decide Later, which will allow you to go back to renew her membership later.
• If a girl or adult member is not continuing at all as a Girl Scout, select Do Not Renew. When selecting Do Not Renew, the member will not be able to renew online until they contact the council to reset the renew option. Do Not Renew should only be selected if the member is not returning at all.

What if a member did not participate in the current year, but would like to participate next year? toggle arrow

If they did not participate for the year, they can request assistance from Customer Care at 1-888-689-1912.

What happens after I renew the troop? toggle arrow

You will receive an itemized email receipt. The parent of each girl will also receive renewal notification email(s), and the email will also ask the parent to update contact information if needed.

How can I help inspire others to renew or join Girl Scouts? toggle arrow

At the end of the renewal process, there will be an option to share on social media that you have renewed. Please help us spread the word by using this new feature!

Can I renew a 12th grade graduating girl as an Adult or purchase a lifetime membership for her? toggle arrow

No, not through our online registration system. If she would like to purchase a graduating senior a lifetime membership at the discounted rate, the paper registration form (coming soon!) and payment must be submitted to Customer Care by September 1st.

How does a new girl register for my troop or how can I register a new girl? toggle arrow

If a girl wants to join a specific troop, ask the parents to fill out the Girl Registration form , which is accessable through the Join botton on our homepage. The system will walk them through the steps to becoming a member. As long as the troop vacancies are available, new members will find troops in the Opportunity Catalog. To make it easy for someone to find a specific troop in the Opportunity Catalog, make sure they have the five-digit troop number and enter it without a space between the letters and numbers (Troop12345 or Troop00012).

One of the parents volunteered to help with my troop! How can I add his or her volunteer role? toggle arrow

If the parent is already a registered member and in your roster, you can now add a volunteer role for them. Click on the green Add link in the far-right column next to the parent's name. You will then be taken to a list of volunteer roles within your troop. Select the appropriate volunteer role by marking the tick box on the left. Click Next. You will then see the updated participation on the Troops tab.

After the new volunteer role is added, the system will automatically check to see if there is an eligible, unexpired background check on file for that volunteer. If not, the system will automatically authorize Asurint (GSHG's third-party criminal background check vendor) to send the volunteer an email invitation to complete a background check. The invitation will be sent to the email address the volunteer uses for Girl Scouts.

How do I get more adults to join the troop as a volunteer? toggle arrow

Because a parent/caregiver will select a troop whose meeting date and time fits their schedules–our hope is that they will be more likely to choose a volunteer role in the troop from opportunities on display in the Opportunity Catalog. Volunteers do not necessarily need to be the parents of the girl members in the troop; however, all adult volunteers need to pass the background screening process. If parents don’t voluntarily select a role for themselves when they register their girl online, and the troop needs leadership, Service Area Managers or GSHG staff will contact them directly to offer them volunteer opportunities.

Should parents register as members? toggle arrow

Parents do not need to register for membership. However, if you register for a members- only event, or if you directly participate in your daughter's troop, you will need to register as an Adult Member. If you need to renew your membership, use My GS.

What happens if girls don't renew by September 30? toggle arrow

Members are encouraged to renew early – renewal on My GS is easy! If members do not renew by September 30, their spots will open up and will be shown as openings in the Opportunity Catalog beginning October 1. Please consider renewing all girls – even those who are undecided. Oftentimes, girls will return to the troop after a busy fall season of extracurricular activities. Girls who wait to renew between October 1 and March 1 may renew to their current troop if there are openings.

What should I do if someone says they registered for my troop but is not listed on my troop roster? toggle arrow

If a parent insists that a girl is registered and is not listed on your troop roster, they may have been registered to a former troop or to another troop in your community. Contact Customer Care at 1-888-689-1912, and they will look up the girl in the GSHG database to see if the girl is registered. If she is not registered to the right troop, they will ensure that the girl is put into the correct troop.

How do I request a transfer from one troop to another? toggle arrow

All parent troop transfer requests should be submitted to Customer Care. Please include the current troop, destination troop, the girl's name, and another girl identifier (address, phone number, parent/guardian email, or DOB). The receiving troop leader will need to give permission to join the troop prior to transfer being made.

Have any of your members moved to a new address? toggle arrow

You can update basic contact information and the school attended for your troop members through the Troop Roster tab! Just click on the green Edit link to the right of each member's name.

How does the Opportunity Catalog work and what information is listed? toggle arrow

The listing includes the meeting time, general are of the meeting location, troop size, the troop number and age/grade level. The physical address of the meeting location is not displayed in the catalog.

Does the Opportunity Catalog show multi-age troops? toggle arrow

Yes. A troop listing can accommodate multiple age/grade levels.

What is the minimum and/or recommended troop size? toggle arrow

The minimum troop size is 12 girls for Daisy-Junior troops. Exceptions are made for continuing older girl troops. Troops cannot opt-out of the Opportunity Catalog until they have a minimum of 12 girls. We recommend 12 girls per troop to provide a diverse, interactive experience for the girls. If you have room for more girls, or you have volunteer roles that need to be filled, please fill out the Troop Update Form so that your vacancies will display in the Opportunity Catalog. Troop size can be changed by submitting a Troop Update Form. Troops formed prior to the 2017-2018 membership year will be grandfathered in under the former standards.

How do I update the Opportunity Catalog information for my troop? toggle arrow

A troop leader can update some information that appears in the Opportunity Catalog themselves: Meeting Day(s), Meeting Frequency, and Meeting Start and End Times by updating the information on the Troop Tab within MyGS by clicking the View/Edit Troop Information Link.

If I have an opening mid-year in my troop, how do I share the vacancy using the Opportunity Catalog? toggle arrow

The Opportunity Catalog is updated in real time, so please let us know whenever you have changes to your meeting location or troop availability by completing the Troop Update Form. All troop leaders will be asked to submit any changes by April 1 of each membership year in order for all inputs to be incorporated by our Early Bird launch, which is typically mid-April. Put troop vacancies on display in the Opportunity Catalog by completing the Troop Update Form. For example, if the desired number of girls is 12 but there are only 10 girls in the troop, two vacancies may be displayed in the Opportunity Catalog until those spots are filled. Once Early Bird registration starts, spots for all existing girls and troop volunteers for the next membership year will be reserved up until September 30th.

What if I don't know the new girl joining my troop? toggle arrow

This is perhaps the best part of being a Girl Scout – making new friends! Since the system is searchable by zip code, we expect that most parents will enroll their daughter in the area where they live or near the school she attends. When a new girl joins a troop, the leader will get an email notification. The automated email will prompt the leader to reach out and welcome the new Girl Scout to the troop. This connection is really important because it serves as a warm welcome and it’s an opportunity to share important next steps, including troop meeting dates, times, and location.

Can my troop opt-out of the opportunity Catalog? toggle arrow

Yes. Troop leaders can specify if their troop is closed and will not accept additional girl members (must have a minimum of 12 girls for Daisy-Junior Troops and 6 girls for Cadette-Ambassador troops). Troops that are full will not show up on the Opportunity Catalog.

Can I close enrollment to my troop? toggle arrow

As long as there are 3 unrelated adults as the Troop Leadership Team and a minimum of 12 girls, a troop leader can decide when to close their troop enrollment.

How do I find Service Unit volunteer positions in the Opportunity Catalog? toggle arrow

Select Service Area (SA) and District leadership positions are listed in the Opportunity Catalog by zip code – SA and District Event Coordinator, SA and District Troop/School Organizer, SA and District Team Member, SA and District Treasurer, SA and District Cookie Manager, SA and District Fall Products. The SA Manager is appointed by the Membership Support Manager. All appointed SA and District positions are not listed in the Opportunity Catalog.

How do I update my troop information? toggle arrow

When you're logged in to MyGS, click on the Troops tab and then click on the green link VIEW/EDIT TROOP INFORMATION at the bottom of the page. Please update all of the information. The following information updates as soon as you hit the green SAVE button: Meeting Day, Frequency, Start and End Time.

• Meeting Day, Frequency, Start and End Time can be updated from the VIEW/EDIT TROOP link.

• Program Level, Desired Number of Girls in Troop, Meeting Location Name and Address are submitted to council to review and update manually.

• Meeting Location Name is displayed publicly so potential members can get a general idea of where you troop meets. The exact street address is not shown - it is for internal purposes only.

• To update the meeting location, physical meeting address, program level, grade level, number of girl openings - submit a Troop Update form.

What are the steps to starting a troop? toggle arrow

In order to start a troop, leaders must:

1. Be a registered member of Girl Scouts.
2. Complete the online Volunteer Application and background check.
3. Complete online Training.
4. Secure a second leader.
5. Request a troop number.
6. Open a bank account (see Volunteer Essentials, Chapter 5: Money).
7. Decide when & where to meet.
8. Recruit new girls.
9. Hold meetings & have fun (connect with GSHG's many forms of communication newsletters, Facebook, Twitter, SA or District meetings, etc)!

What is the minimum number of people required for a troop? Is there a limit? toggle arrow

A troop must consist of a minimum of twelve girls from more than one family and two unrelated adults as the leaders. Troops may have an unlimited number of girls registered as long as there are enough adults, including parent volunteers, to meet the required ratios.

Can I have a multi-level troop or do I need individual troop numbers for each grade level? toggle arrow

Troops or groups can have multiple grade levels, but girls must participate in activities that are appropriate for their level of Girl Scouting. For example, Brownies in your group need to work on Brownie badges and Journeys while Daisies work on Daisy petals and Journeys. The appropriate girl to adult ratio needs to be met for the grade level of girls in the troop.

What are the requirements for becoming a troop leader? toggle arrow

All potential troop volunteers are required to register as an adult member of GSHG, have an approved background check on file with GSHG, complete the New Leader Orientation Online, have no debt owed to GSHG or troops, and support GSHG and GSUSA policies and procedures. A leader is appointed for one year at a time but can be reappointed annually. Two leaders are required for a troop. The troop leader must have registered as a Girl Scout Member, completed a background check, and taken the required training.. A troop may have as many leaders as desired, but they must all have completed the same requirements. To maintain an acceptable girl-to-adult ratio, troops may also have adult members who are not required to have completed the same training (Volunteer Essentials, Chapter 1) as the leader, but must be registered Girl Scouts and have a cleared background check on file.

Can relatives be troop leaders? Can men be troop leaders? toggle arrow

Relatives may serve as leaders. Many families work together to help support a girl's leadership experience. However, the troop will require that two (2) unrelated adults are leaders, and at least one must be female.

Men may serve as troop leaders and/or volunteers, but an unrelated female volunteer must be present at all times.

How are troop leaders informed of Service Unit meetings? toggle arrow

The Service Area Manager or District Chair or Membership Support Manager will communicate service area or district meeting dates and time to troop leaders via email or phone calls.

I am resigning from my leader position and do not have a new leader recruited, what should I do? toggle arrow

Resigning troop/group leaders should contact all the parents to inform them of the disbanding troop/group and to identify opportunities to place the girls in the IRM/Juliette network so girls can remain active in Girl Scouts. If this is a situation where the troop/group leader simply wants to resign, they should ask if any other parents or adults are interested in taking over as the leader.

The Membership Support Manager should be informed of the troop/group leader’s decision to resign. If a replacement troop/group leader cannot be identified and there are girls still interested in troop/group participation, their name(s) and contact information should be shared with the Membership Support Manager, who will then work with the service area leadership to place the girls in new troops/groups.

The retiring troop/group leader should transfer all supplies, financial records, debit card, check book, bank account information and materials to the new leader. The signatures on the bank account should be changed to reflect the new troop leadership. The retiring leader will need to notify the bank of the change to authorize the new leader to be a signer on the troop/group account. Be aware that individual bank policies may vary. Please contact Customer Care at 1-888-689-1912 and ask to work with the Membership Support Manager to change the signer’s name.

When can a new troop start holding meetings in the Fall? toggle arrow

Can Girl Scout troops meet year-around? toggle arrow

How long are troop meetings? toggle arrow

What activities do troop meetings typically include? toggle arrow

Where can we hold our troop meetings? toggle arrow

How many volunteers must be present at every meeting/event? toggle arrow

I have a girl who is behaving inappropriately or bullying during troop meetings. How should I handle this? toggle arrow

What will a girl do as a Girl Scout? toggle arrow

After joining Girl Scouts, a girl can participate in any of the council's activities and events which are age appropriate. The Girl Scout leadership Journey programs and the Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting are the heart of the Girl Scout program. They help girls learn Girl Scout traditions, earn recognitions, and have inspiring adventures that change their lives and make the world a better place. The Girl’s Guide to Girl Scouting contains a handbook and instructions to earn badges. The three Journeys: It’s Your World, Change It!, It’s Your Planet, Love It!, It’s Your Story, Tell It!, help girls learn about themselves and the world around them and how to take action to make the world a better place. A girl can experience these programs as an individual in our Juliette Network, or in a troop of girls who decide as a group what activities they engage in.

How can I help the girls feel more a part of Girl Scouts and the troop? toggle arrow

Girl Scout has a rich history, wonderful traditions, and inspiring stories for you to share with the girls to help them feel more a part of Girl Scouts and the troop. These traditions include: the Girl Scout Sign, Girl Scout Promise, Girl Scout Law, Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scout Birthday, Brownie Elf Story, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), Girl Scout Handshake, Friendship Circle, and songs such as "Make New Friends", the "Brownie Smile" song, and "Taps".

What does "girl-led" mean? toggle arrow

Girl-led means that girls of every grade level take an active role in determining what, where, when, why, and how they will structure activities, though leaders and adult members may provide guidance appropriate to the age of the girls. Girl-led processes encourage girls to bring their ideas and imaginations into the experiences, make choices, and lead the way as much as they can.

What is a Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting? toggle arrow

The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting is a handbook for girls detailing Girl Scout history and traditions, a chart of all earnable awards, and a chart of badges available at each Girl Scout level, and badge requirements.

When planning activities, what should be considered? toggle arrow

Please refer to Volunteer Essentials, Chapter 4: Safety-Wise. When planning activities, please consider the abilities of each girl and the progression of skills from the easiest part to the most difficult. In Chapter 4 of Volunteer Essentials there is information on how to plan activities within a troop meeting and travel activities outside of a troop meeting. You may find the section on “Providing Emergency Care” with our policies and procedures in the event of an emergency in Chapter 4 of Volunteer Essentials.

What is a Journey series? toggle arrow

A Journeys series is a 4-8 week (though they can be condensed into weekend or week-long activities) series based on the following Journeys: “It’s Your World-Change It!”, “It’s Your Story-Tell It!”, and “It’s Your Planet-Love it!”, “Think Like a Mechanical Engineer”, “Think Like a Computer Scientist”, “Think Like a Citizen Scientist” and the Outdoor journey.

How can I deliver a quality Girl Scout Leadership Experience? toggle arrow

Please participate in the trainings offered by GSHG in-person or online to learn more about the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. You may also refer to Volunteer Essentials, Chapter 2: Girl Scouting as a National Experience.

What can leaders do to help the girls begin their journey for the year? toggle arrow

Leaders can start off their chosen journey by facilitating a discussion or debate on the Journey's theme and what it means to the girls. Probe to find out what they are most interested in accomplishing during their time together, and then help them connect those interests to their Journey.

What is the difference between "service" and "take action"? toggle arrow

When girls do service, they help to fulfill an immediate need. This service is a necessary response to a basic need, such as food, clothing, shelter, and care. Examples of community service projects are collecting food for a local pantry or collecting clothing for a local homeless shelter. When girls take action, they team up with others in an effort to solve a problem and create long-lasting change. When girls take action, they seek to understand the cause of the problem and decide upon the scale and scope of their project, based on a realistic assessment of their resources. They also enlist others from the community to get involved. Examples of Take Action projects include fixing up an animal shelter or creating a center where children who need tutoring can always get it. In other words, service makes the world better for some people “right now.” Taking action makes the world better for more people for a much longer time.

Can my daughter work on badges, Journeys and awards without her troop? toggle arrow

Yes, a girl may independently work on badges, journeys, and awards without her troop or while being an Independently Registered Member (IRM). If your daughter is in a traditional troop and works on these projects without her troop, the Troop Leader will still need to sign off on her work done.

What are SWAPS? toggle arrow

SWAPS are “Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere”. They are small handcrafted keepsakes designed to exchange with other Girl Scout members. SWAPS are the perfect way for Girl Scouts to meet each other and promote friendship which is why they are great for community events, camp, etc. Each one is a memory of a special event or Girl Scout Sister!

What are Bridging Ceremonies? toggle arrow

Bridging ceremonies are events during which girls move from one program level to the next (for example: Daisies to Brownies, Juniors to Cadettes, etc.).

What are Destinations? toggle arrow

Destinations are regional, national or international travel activities/events for Girl Scouts. For national events, girls and/or adults apply to, and are selected by, the sponsoring council. For international events, girls and/or adults apply to, and are selected by, GSUSA.

What is Volunteer Essentials? toggle arrow

Volunteer Essentials is a resource for volunteers which details the policies and procedures of Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia (GSHG) and Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA). Every leader should have access to a copy of Volunteer Essentials, or be able to reference it on our website.

What is Volunteer Toolkit (VTK)? toggle arrow

The Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) is a great online tool which can help you lead in less time and make it easier to delegate to other parents. Depending on what you choose to do, it supplies plans, lists of materials needed, and even helps you schedule meetings and communicate with other parents. It also makes it easy to check the calendar and schedule your troop for events. VTK is designed primarily for K-5 troops; however, other levels can utilize the toolkit. For adults who do not feel they have time to be troop leaders, we have found that getting all the girls' parents and guardians involved in running the troop can make the leadership easier for everyone. Also, check the GSHG calendar and take advantage of the various events we offer to troops. You do not have to provide all the troop activities yourself.

Are multi-level troops supported by VTK? toggle arrow

Volunteer Toolkit is now Multi-Level Troop friendly! Troops that are listed as Multi-level can access Volunteer Toolkit and all the badges/year plans available.

How do I access the Get Outdoors options in VTK? toggle arrow

GSUSA added a new banner in VTK that promotes the Get Girls Outside! Release.

To make it easy to Get Girls Outside! Some meetings now give you Outdoor activity options. These activities maximize the use of an outdoor space using the same themes as the indoor activity. You’ll know it’s an Outdoor activity if it has a little tree.

10 badges now include outdoor options:

• 2 Daisy Petals
• Lupe
• Clover
• 4 Brownie Badges
• First Aid
• Making Games
• Snacks
• Senses
• 4 Junior Badges
• First Aid
• Simple Meals
• Staying Fit
• Detective

All outdoor materials and activity details are included in the meeting plan writeup. You choose whether outdoors is right for your troop and that activity. If it looks like rain on your meeting day, simply change your selection to indoors.

Where can I find the safety guidelines for a troop? toggle arrow

Safety guidelines may be found in Volunteer Essentials, Part III: Safety Guidelines and in the GSHG New Volunteer Guide. For guidelines related to various Girl Scouts activities, please refer to the Safety Activity Checkpoints (SAC). SAC has lots of guidelines included, not just for outdoor activities!

What is Safety Activity Checkpoints? toggle arrow

Girl Scout Safety Activity Checkpoints (SAC) are the mandatory safety guidelines and standards established by GSUSA for all troop activities. They provide step-by-step instructions for adult volunteers, covering emergency preparedness, adult-to-girl rations, first aid, site selection, and activity-specific rules (like swimming, hiking, or canoeing).

If you have any questions in general or in particular with higher risk or aquatics activities please contact Customer Care at 1-888-689-1912.

Can volunteers who work in the healthcare field serve as First Aiders? toggle arrow

Yes. Healthcare providers may serve as Level 1 or 2 first-aiders. These include physicians, physician’s assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, paramedics, military medics, dentists, and emergency medical technicians. It is also recommended that they provide proof of current certifications.

Where can I take CPR classes? Does online CPR training fulfill GSHG requirements? toggle arrow

GSHG encourages volunteers to take advantage of First Aid/CPR training offered by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Medic First, National Safety Council, EMP America, or other recognized organizations approved by GSHG or GSUSA. Try to take age-specific CPR training, too - that is, take child CPR classes if you’re working with younger girls and take adult CPR classes when working with older girls and adults. GSHG First Aid/CPR courses offer both Child and Adult CPR together.

First-aid/CPR training that is available entirely online does not fulfill Girl Scouts’ requirements because these courses do not offer enough opportunities to practice and receive feedback on your technique. We now accept a hybrid course, as long as the skills portion is completed in-person. This is to give opportunities to practice and receive feedback on their technique.

If you’re taking a course not offered by one of the organizations listed here, or any course that has any online components, get approval from your council prior to enrolling in the course.

Be sure to check on our Events listing for upcoming trainings!

What type of insurance is provided by GSUSA, and who is covered? toggle arrow

GSUSA provides an overview of our insurance plans here.

Where is the insurance form (Mutual of Omaha)? toggle arrow

Contact the your local Membership Support Manager to request additional insurance or a claim form. Please see our staff directory for more information.

If a new member joins before the start of a membership year, are they covered under insurance? What about lapsed members? toggle arrow

A new girl can join a troop for the upcoming membership year at any time after Early Bird starts in April. Her membership year officially starts on October 1; however, she can be welcomed into the troop at the start of the new troop season in August for back-to-troop activities or troop meetings. Starting September 1, she will be covered by Girl Scout insurance as a girl member. If her participation in the troop begins earlier in the spring or summer (involvement in any troop meeting, activity, or summer camp), she should register for the current membership year, as well.

Can my troop/group participate in additional money earning programs? toggle arrow

Yes. Troops/Groups may participate in additional money earning programs if other conditions are met. See this form.

How do I handle girl(s) transferring to other troop(s)? toggle arrow

First Guiding Principle – Troop funds collected and earned by the girls belong to the troop. The funds never belong to one individual. When a girl or girls transfer to another troop, a prorated share of remaining troop funds will be forwarded to the troop to which they transfer.

My troop/group is disbanding. What should we do with our funds? toggle arrow

First Guiding Principle: Troop funds collected and earned by the girls belong to the troop, never belong to one individual and should never be distributed to the girls in any form. When a troop disbands, remaining troop monies, the troop’s checkbook, debit card, and all other materials belonging to the troop must be returned to the Membership Representative. When a troop disbands, splits, or reorganizes, and a girl or girls transfer to another troop, a prorated share of remaining troop funds will be forwarded to the troop to which they transfer.

The council encourages disbanding troops to expend all remaining troop funds in a manner determined by the girls, i.e. final troop trip, contribution to Service Area or District for girl program, charitable donation to another organization, etc. Troop funds do not become the property of any individual, girl or adult, per direction in Volunteer Essentials/Safety Activity Checkpoints.

When a troop disbands without girl-directed fund distribution, either the outgoing Troop Leader or the assigned staff member will be authorized to close the troop bank account and write a final check from the account or request that the financial institution issue a check for the balance in the account made payable to Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia. The check will be forwarded to the Chief Financial Officer along with a completed Disbanded/Dormant Troop Bank Account Closure Information form.

Disbanded troop monies will be held in a restricted account for one (1) year from the time of disbandment. Monies not claimed by regrouping of the troop will be transferred to the council operating budget.

If one or more members of a disbanded troop re-register with another troop within one (1) year of their troop disbanding, a prorated share of monies will be disbursed to their new troop.

If a troop bank account has been dormant for one (1) year or more, council staff will be authorized to close the account and request that the financial institution issue a check for the balance in the account made payable to Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia. The check will be forwarded to the Chief Financial Officer along with a completed Disbanded/Dormant Troop Bank Account Closure Information form completed by the Membership Representative. The check will be deposited into the council operating budget.

May I accept donations (sponsorships) to my troop/group? toggle arrow

Girls are not allowed to solicit cash, service, or in-kind gifts. However, if a local business, community organization, or individual wishes to support a troop or group, the following guidelines must be followed:

Donations of $250 or more must be turned in to the council along with a SA Manager-approved Gift Acceptance Form. Gifts of $250 or more require appropriate acknowledgement from the council to maintain donor and IRS standards. Once receipted by council, the funds will be redistributed to the troop/group in accordance with the wishes of the donor. The funds must benefit the entire Troop/Group, not a specific individual. Funds will be disbursed to the Troop/Group only after the Troop Leader(s) signs off on a Troop/Group Gift Acceptance Form, which confirms that the funds will be for the benefit of the entire Troop/Group and not for a specific individual.

Donations of less than $250 can be received by the troop/group and deposited directly into the troop’s council approved checking account. The troop/group thanks the local donor with a special thank you note from the girls of all gifts below $250. Donations of less than $250 that require donor acknowledgement from the council must be receipted by the council. The donation will be redistributed to the Troop/Group.

Monetary gifts donated directly to Troops/Group or given through the council and restricted for Troops/Groups are limited to a combined total of $300 per year per Troop/Group.

One of the parents in my troop works for an employer that offers matching gifts and volunteer service hours. How does she ensure that the funds are donated to our troop? toggle arrow

Some employers offer matching gifts and volunteer service hours to their employees. Employers may match the employee’s donations or give monetary gifts in proportion to employee volunteer hours to 501(c)3 charitable organizations. Corporate or Volunteer Match programs specified for designation to a specific troop/group by the company making the donation will be receipted by the council and distributed to the designated troop/group in accordance with our annual troop fundraising policy. Acknowledgement will be provided to the company for its donation of any amount. Matching donations received that are not specifically designated to a troop or group will be considered unrestricted donations and retained by the council to carry out the Girl Scout Mission.

What approval is needed to participate in additional money earning programs? toggle arrow

Troop/Group should submit a Troop/Group Fundraising Application to their Membership Support Manager for approval.

What are troop dues? toggle arrow

Troop dues are monetary collections which are deposited into the troop bank account for future use (for example: badges, activities or council events). The amount of troop dues is set by the girls and leaders of the troop to be paid by members weekly, monthly, quarterly, or bi-annually to finance the programs and activities of the troop.

How do Individually Registered Girl (IRG) members participate in Fall Product and Cookie Programs? toggle arrow

Individually Registered Girls (IRG) can participate in Product Program through a GSHG Region. Please visit the Juliette Product Program Guidelines for more information.

What is Fall Product Program? toggle arrow

The Fall Product Program gives girls the opportunity to sell candy, nuts, magazines and other snacks. For more information, click here!

Besides earning money, what are the benefits of participating in product programs? toggle arrow

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is the largest girl-led business in the world. Girls will learn life skills such as entrepreneurship, financial literacy, goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics.

How/where do I go about getting a booth during Cookie Season? toggle arrow

Complete the Request for Booth Sale Dates before January 1^st. A Council Staff Member and/or volunteer will confirm your booth slot once the Cookie Program has begun.

How does council use proceeds from product programs? toggle arrow

The council covers costs related to materials, training, support, logistics, delivery, and much more.

How do I make a reservation for the weekend at a camp? toggle arrow

You can learn more about reserving our camps and the different lodging that is available by visiting here!

If you require assistance, contact the Customer Care at 1-888-689-1912.

Is weekend camping reserved only for Girl Scouts? toggle arrow

No. We also welcome reservations for various outside groups. This means not all campers at camp will have a Criminal Background Check like registered Girl Scouts do. At all times keep to your Safety Checkpoint guidelines to help ensure a fun and safe visit to camp.

Does my daughter need to be a Girl Scout to attend Girl Scout Summer Resident or Day Camp? toggle arrow

Yes. If your camper currently is not a Girl Scout, she will need to purchase a Girl Scout membership.

For new members, join here!
For lapsed members, use myGS to login and renew!

How do I register for Summer or Day Camp? toggle arrow

Please refer to the Program Guide for everything you need to know about our camps. You can also learn more about our Summer Camps here! When registration opens for our Summer Camps, you will find detailed information there!

How do I apply for financial assistance for camp for my daughter? toggle arrow

We want every girl to experience Girl Scout camp! If you need financial assistance for your camper to attend camp, we are happy to help. You must first register your daughter for camp and pay the deposit. Then, complete the Camper Financial Aid form found on our Summer Camp page and send to Customer Care at customercare@gshg.org to start the process. Girls must apply any Council Cookie Bucks earned to camp fees before financial aid can be considered.

Does GSHG offer scholarships for Gold Award recipients? toggle arrow

GSHG offers several scholarship opportunities to graduating seniors in our council. GSHG also posts additional scholarship opportunities on our website. For information on how to apply or to view additional opportunities, please see our scholarship page.

What are Bronze/Silver/Gold awards? toggle arrow

The Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards are Girl Scouting’s highest awards. They also engage girls in building networks that not only support them in their award projects, but in new educational and career opportunities. For more information, visit our Highest Awards page!

What is the highest award a Girl Scout Senior/Ambassador can earn? toggle arrow

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the highest award a Senior/Ambassador Girl Scout can earn.

What is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadette can earn? toggle arrow

The highest award a Cadette Girl Scout can earn is the Girl Scout Silver Award.

What is the highest award a Girl Scout Junior can earn? toggle arrow

The highest award a Junior Girl Scout can earn is the Girl Scout Bronze Award.

What are the Girl Scout Silver and Girl Scout Gold Award deadlines? toggle arrow

Silver Award: Girls have until September 30th of the year they finished 8th grade to submit their Final Report. Gold Award: Girls have until September 30th of their graduation year to submit their Final Report.

Can adults receive awards? toggle arrow

Absolutely! There are both earned and nominated awards for registered adult members. The information on adult awards can be found on our website here.

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