New Troop Leaders

Welcome New Troop Leaders!

Your volunteer adventure starts now

Welcome to the great adventure that is Girl Scouting! Thanks to volunteers like you, generations of Girl Scouts have learned to be leaders in their own lives and in the world.

New Troop Leader Start-up Checklist

Register as a Girl Scout Troop Co-Leader
Complete a criminal background check (we'll email you once you're registered)
Complete Volunteer Basic Training series below
Review Grade-Level resources
Receive a Congratulations email
Meet with your co-leader(s)
Sign up for a New Leader Welcome Event near you (below)

Volunteer Basics Training Series toggle arrow

These short videos introduce you to Girl Scouting and set you up to begin leading a troop. All troop co-leaders are required to watch these videos and complete the Knowledge Check before meeting with girls.

View the Welcome to Girl Scouts PDF and watch the video below.

View the Logistics and Resources PDF and watch the video below.

View the Finances and Safety PDF and watch the video below.

A group of girls drawing their bows at archery practice

To complete the training

Watch the above three videos and click below

KNOWLEDGE CHECK

New Leader Welcome Meetings - Program Year 2026 toggle arrow

Program Year 2026 New Leader Welcome Meetings

All new co-leaders leaders are encouraged to attend a New Leader Welcome Meeting during their first year of leading a troop. New co-leaders will have the opportunity to meet with council staff and fellow new co-leaders. We present welcome meetings 3 times each year: fall, winter and spring - the information shared will focus on council happenings and events that are taking place around the time of the meeting. This meeting will be filled with great information, fun, and camaraderie.

Please join us for our upcoming meeting!. New co-leaders will receive invitations with more details as the date nears.

New Leader Welcome Meeting Fall 2026

Wednesday, November 4^th

6-7:30 PM

at Buffalo and Jamestown Service Centers

Tuesday, November 17^th

6-7:30 PM

Rochester @ Strong Museum

(RSVP for all meetings HERE)

Questions? Contact Customer Care at 1-888-837-6410 or customercare@gswny.org

My First Year Guide toggle arrow

A complete guide through every aspect of leading a troop.

My First Year Daisy Guide

My First Year Brownie Guide

My First Year Multi - Level

My First Year Universal Guide

Other grade-level guides are in development and will be available soon!