Start a Troop

Do you love inspiring girls to grow, learn, and shine?

As a Girl Scout troop leader, you’ll guide girls to build confidence, explore the outdoors, make new friends, and discover their strengths, all while having fun every step of the way.

A Girl Scout troop is more than just meetings, it’s a safe, supportive space where girls dream big and take action to make their world better.

And you won’t do it alone: with training, ready-to-go meeting plans, and an entire Girl Scout team by your side, you’ll feel confident and prepared to lead.

Be the role model they’ll remember forever, become a Girl Scout troop leader today!

Bring Girl Scouting to your local school or neighborhood.

A Girl Scout troop, or a group of Girl Scouts and volunteers that meet regularly, is one of many ways to participate in Girl Scouting. Troops set their own schedule for meetings, decide what activities they want to enjoy, and find ways to improve their community.

If you’re ready to be a champion for Girl Scouts and help them grow their courage, resilience, and can-do spirit, you're ready to bring the world of Girl Scouting to your local school or neighborhood.

an illustration of a troop leader and the troop year plan PDFs

Preview Your Year

Our easy-to-follow Troop Year Plans are available for troops of all ages! Check out the fun that awaits you and your troop.

SEE PLANS

Why Start a Troop

Girl Scout troop leaders play the roles of cheerleader-in-chief, champion of kindness, and role model for what it means to lead with your heart. And along the way, they unleash their own confidence as they discover their leadership style and deepen their connection to their communities, just as their Girl Scouts do.

With you as their troop leader, girls learn to be true to themselves, make strides towards their dreams, and share in fun-filled activities they’ll remember for a lifetime.

Starting a Troop FAQs

Who can be a troop leader? toggle arrow

Girl Scout troop leaders are a dynamic and diverse group, and there’s no one “type” of volunteer. Whether you’re a recent college grad, a parent, or a retiree—really, people of any gender with a sense of curiosity and adventure who are 18 or older and have passed their council's screening process—your unique skills and experiences and your mentorship can open your Girl Scouts’ eyes to a world of possibility.

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To start a troop, you’ll need at least two unrelated adults to volunteer—yourself and one other—to serve as troop co-leaders, plus five girls. If needed, our Council can help you connect with another volunteer or place girls into your troop.

After becoming a member of Girl Scouts, you can choose your troop leader volunteer role through your Girl Scout account in MyGS. You’ll complete some trainings to help you succeed, as well as undergo a background check before meeting with your Girl Scouts.

Teaming up with your co-leader or troop volunteers, you’ll decide where and when troop meetings take place, and then you’ll set up a meeting with your troop families to talk about things like meeting logistics and the roles they can play in troop life.

Girl Scout leaders are supported every step of the way. The GSHNC staff is always available, as well as fellow volunteers in your community, to help you throughout your troop leader experience. And there are lots of resources available, including advice for working with your troop and how-to’s for leading badge activities.

Have questions? toggle arrow

Have questions about starting a troop? Complete our Volunteer Interest Form and select "I want to start a troop" in the volunteer role section. A member of our team will reach out shortly to answer any questions.