Volunteer Learning and Support

Workshops

*Note: V stands for Virtual / IP stands for In-Person

Please note that due to the structural nature of some of the workshops offered at Co-Leader Academy and the limited spaces at Camp Mary Atkinson that have reliable internet access, some sessions are not being offered virtually. Following each description, a V, IP, or both will be listed to indicate whether a workshop is only offered in-person or offered both in-person and virtually.

Please also note that some workshops carry an additional cost. This additional fee covers the cost of additional materials. In addition, some workshops have limited space available. 

Special Workshop Offerings

Archery Level 1 - Earn your Archery Level 1 Instructor training so you can support your girls in this exciting shooting sport. Prior to attending your in-person practical session during Co-Leader Academy, you will need to complete an online learning module that will take between 3 and 5 hours. This training meets Safety Activity Checkpoint standards to facilitate archery for your troop, service unit, and more. Certification is good for three years. Can't wait to see you take aim!

Archery will be offered at 8:00am and then again at 1:30pm. This is a 4 ½ hour course. This class is limited to 20 participants per session. The total cost of attending Co-Leader Academy and taking Archery Level 1 is $60. There is a +$50 fee for the class plus a $10 fee for lunch. (Customer Care----This is the only class that should not be assessed the $20 registration fee)

Please feel free to select additional workshops before or after your selected archery session. (IP Only)

Session A (1 Hour)

•  Tip & Tricks for New Co-Leaders – Learn tips and tricks of being a successful new Girl Scout Leader from the Pro's! This session will be Q&A's, resources and tools to make your job as a new co-leader more fun and less stressful. (V and IP)
•  Step Into STEM: Troop Leader Badge & Journey Support –  Do you have Girl Scouts interested in STEM, but you’re not sure where to start? This school year, GS-NCCP has created an interactive and fun series of workshops at five community colleges across the council! Here at Co-Leader Academy, you’ll get a taste of the event subjects – join us for a hands-on STEM activity and a team-building game you can bring back to your troops. Let’s work together to make STEM more accessible (and a lot of fun!). (V and IP)
• Patches, badges, and journeys, oh my! –There are so many great ways that you can support our girl members in becoming girls who have the courage, confidence, and character to change the world by becoming the leaders of tomorrow. Join us we dive into the Girl Scout Leadership experience by exploring the world of badges, journeys, and patches. You'll learn more about how these activities work together to help aid our girls in having a great year ahead. (V and IP)
• New Brand –Come join us as we share the excitement behind the new Girl Scout brand! This is a great workshop to learn the do and don’ts when creating a flyer, sending out a communication to parents or even day to day messaging! You don’t want to miss it! (V and IP)
• Tie Dye Fun –Never tie-dyed? Want to learn how or learn new designs? Bring your own white T-shirt and be ready to amaze yourself with your own tie-dye creation! (+$2 fee) (IP only)

Session B (1 ½ Hour)

• All That Glitters: Gold, Silver, and Bronze Award Updates for the New Troop Year –In this workshop, you will learn everything you need to know about the Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards, from the basics to each award’s specifics. We will cover the who, what, when, where, and why of each award, as well as what defines a Take Action Project. You’ll also get a look at GSUSA’s new Movement-wide Gold Award materials, which girls have started using this troop year, and information on how you can support girls as the Go Gold! Plus, we’ll be sure to include plenty of time for questions! (V and IP)
• Use your resources wisely! –The Program and Outdoor teams have created some pretty cool resources to support Girl Scout volunteers as they guide girls through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. At this session we’ll discuss the best ways to utilize these resources for troop meetings and outdoor experiences, including facilitation guides that lighten the troop planning lift. Take a hands-on tour of newest resources including Program Aide Training Toolkit, Jump Start Journey Kits, Robotics Kits as well as the newly released troop leader meeting plans for tackling Journeys and badges using our troop-tested meeting aides in Google Classroom. We’re here to help you use your resources wisely! (V and IP)
•  Campfire Cooking with Pie Irons –Want to find some new meals to cook around the campfire with your girls? Cooking with pie irons is fun and interactive for the girls, and most meals are customizable for those picky eaters. We'll discuss the supplies needed, a few recipes and where to find more, steps to cooking, and tips and tricks. Pie Irons can be used to make breakfast, meals, or desserts. And the best part of this workshop... ... you will get to try your own hand at cooking with pie irons, and get to taste your wonderful creations! (IP only)
• Whimsical Paint n Sip (byoj) bring your own juice- Create your masterpiece! Come paint and sip with Whimsical Creations! Think you can’t do it because you don’t have an artistic bone in your body? Think again! We will paint with you, step by step! It will be fun! It will be creative! It will be Whimsical! During this session, we will paint a beautiful, whimsical flower (+$13 fee) (IP only) (limited to 35 participants)
• Wonder-Fall Crafts –Tis' the season for leaves to fall, pumpkin spice, and everything nice! Join in on a Wonder-Fall Craft session where we spice up the fall and holiday season with a little crafting fun. We will be making wine cork pumpkins, mason jar leaf candle holders, and a tree ornament that reminds us to make new friends, but keep the old! (+$8 fee) (IP only)
• Adult and Child CPR/AED and First Aid - This course is open to anyone interested in obtaining Adult and Child CPR/AED and First Aid and serving as a First Aider. This course combines online work and instructor-led practice and skill testing. Participants must be able to complete a minimum of two and a half hours of online coursework prior to attending training and be able to print off proof of completion for the instructor. A link to the online portion of the training will be included in your confirmation packet immediately upon registering for Co-Leader Academy. (+$14 fee) (IP only) (limited to 20 participants)

Session C (1 Hour)

• Leading Parent Meetings –Get Parents involved, energized and engaged by leading Parent Meetings! This session will offer strategies and tools to help your next Parent meeting soar! (V and IP)
• The Product Sale You Likely Don't Really Know About... get the inside scoop.- Focusing on the Fall Product Sale and just how easy and fast it really is. Most volunteers think of the complications and length of the Cookie Sale program and don't participate in our Fall Sale program, but our Fall Sale is NOTHING like cookies. Let us show you how simple and fast it is to earn startup funds for your troop without having to physically touch a single item! (V and IP)
• Are we There Yet? Travel Planning and Preparation Pro-Tips and Updates –Jump into Your Next Great Adventure! Girl Scouts are learning as much through planning their trips as they do when they participate in them. Plus, guidelines are in place to support the process every step of the way. Given this past year’s events, there have been many updates regarding trip and travel. In this workshop, not only will you learn about updates to the travel guide and streamlined financial assistance process, but we'll build on the Explore More! Trip and Travel training from gsLearn. After attending this workshop, you can feel even more confident in your leadership skills as you support and guide your girls to prepare and plan for their girl-led adventures. (V and IP)
• New Badges, New Adventures! –We’re rolling out more badges to support Girl Scouts of all levels in growing their leadership skills! Whether it’s polishing their business skills, finding new ways to explore nature, or building their digital toolbelt, Girl Scouts now have even more ways to be change-makers! During this workshop, we’re going to take a look at how to make the new badges relevant for your troop and how to ensure girls have a remarkable experience earning them. You won’t want to miss this hands-on, integrated approach to facilitating these new badges! (V and IP)
• Girl Scout Safety and You!- In this relevant workshop, we will review the ways in which we help to keep our girl and adult members safe. We will explore current Safety Activity Checkpoints (SACs), risk management planning, GS-NCCP's popularly used form, the TP103, and other tools and resources that are part of this important piece of the Girl Scout Program. (V and IP)
• Don't get all tied up... It’s Just Knots –Ever feel overwhelmed about teaching knots to your girls? Do you start knot tying and only find yourself getting twisted and tied up in all the wrong ways? In this workshop we will cover tips and tricks to teaching knots with your girls. We will cover Square Knots (Daisy), Clove Hitch (Brownie), and Bowline Knot (Junior - Ambassador) (possibly a few others depending on time). We will discuss different knot practice boards and how to make them, the reasons to use each knot, and step by step how to do each knot. I will also share my tips and tricks and what I've learned over the years teaching knots to my troops. So get yourself untied and sign up for Its Just Knots. (IP only)

Session D (1 ½ Hour)

• I Have Tweens/Teens… What Do I Do With Them? –As Girl Scouts move into middle and high school, our program grows with them, with progression in travel, camp, leadership skills, and more! This session will discuss how the changes, challenges, and exciting opportunities of working with older Girl Scouts – teaching them to use their voices as they take the lead, how to be flexible and accommodate their needs – all support their engagement with Girl Scouts and your success as a leader, when there are so many other things competing for their time. We’ll also cover the basics of the different leadership awards available to Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors: Torch Awards, Service Bars, Leadership in Action, Program Aide, Counselor in Training, and Volunteer in Training – how girls can earn them, who mentors the girls and approves the awards, and where to find more information. (V and IP)
• Camp Tour, Trail Techniques & Math in Nature, Oh My! –Explore Camp Mary Atkinson with Ranger Don and Program Director Allison! Learn about the local flora and fauna, history of the property as a Girl Scout camp, and new updates. Along the way, you’ll learn how to easily tie in badge steps and observational techniques that make every nature walk one that is memorable and intentional! Stretch your legs and get a sneak peek into Math in Nature, one of the new badges being rolled out this isure you are wearing comfortable walking shoes and are prepared to walk on trails. Contact ahren@nccoastalpines.org if alternative transportation options are needed. (IP only)
• Whittling –Come learn how to make a spoon by old time art of whittling. Participants will learn techniques of whittling. Participants must provide carving knives (NOT pocket knives). (IP only)
• Adult and Child CPR/AED and First Aid - This course is open to anyone interested in obtaining Adult and Child CPR/AED and First Aid and serving as a First Aider. This course combines online work and instructor-led practice and skill testing. Participants must be able to complete a minimum of two and a half hours of online coursework prior to attending training and be able to print off proof of completion for the instructor. A link to the online portion of the training will be included in your confirmation packet immediately upon registering for Co-Leader Academy. (+$14 fee) (IP only) (limited to 20 participants)
• Whimsical Paint n Sip (byoj) bring your own juice- Create your masterpiece! Come paint and sip with Whimsical Creations! Think you can’t do it because you don’t have an artistic bone in your body? Think again! We will paint with you, step by step! It will be fun! It will be creative! It will be Whimsical! This sessions photo will have a country truck with a bed of flowers (+$13) (IP Only)
• Girl Scout Traditions: They Give You All the Feels- Traditions are a part of Girl Scout history. Sharing traditions with millions of Girl Scouts and the huge network of Girl Scout alumnae who came before them helps remind girls and volunteers they belong to a big, powerful, inclusive sisterhood. In this workshop, you'll learn about Girl Scout Traditions and why they are an important ritual of Girl Scouting, discover how easy and fun it can be to become an expert on Girl Scout Traditions, and feel empowered to incorporate Girl Scout Traditions into each troop meeting and event. (V and IP)

Session E (1 Hour)

• Campfire Crafts –Campfires and S'mores galore! Who doesn't love camping and crafting fun things that remind us of all the fun times we've had doing it? Join in on a Campfire Crafts session that is sure to leave you wanting s'more! We will be making campfire and s'mores ornaments, along with a sleeping bag hat/bag charm! (IP Only)  ( +$8 fee)
• How to win as a multi-level troop! – Join us for a conversation on the common hiccups for leaders of multi-level troops! Trouble programming across levels? Can’t keep up with the administrative side of things? Learn strategies and best practices from your peers that will put you on a path to winning! (V and IP)
• Programs, Activities, Events- Oh My! Things You Didn’t Know You, You Didn’t Know –Join us for an interactive, exploratory adventure through "Program Land" to learn more about all we are currently offering and where to find it on our website. Virtual, face to face, Community Partner opportunities, DEI, and more to get you and your girls exploring in 2021-2022! (V and IP)
• Learn, Reflect, Repeat! –Being a Girl Scout means learning by doing. As a troop leader, you have found yourself in countless situations where Girl Scouts get to combine learning with hands-on experiences. We want to make sure Girl Scouts (and volunteers!) take the time to reflect to cement the information in their minds and make meaningful connections! Practice using reflection techniques so you can easily pull them out of your back pocket at troop meetings, outings and more! (V and IP)
• Troop Banking Dos & Don'ts –Our Girl Scouts have BIG goals: earning badges, troop trips, community projects, changing the world… With your help, it is amazing what they can accomplish! But many of these goals require money and financial management. In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn important dos and don’ts for managing troop funds and leave with personalized resources for the 2021-2022 Girl Scout year. Whether you’re a troop banking newbie or a veteran account signer, you do not want to miss this session. (V and IP)