Adult Learning
Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois is committed to helping you succeed in your volunteer position as well as enjoying the journey you are traveling. We have designed our adult learning courses to be convenient and easy to use and loaded with the information and helps that will make you successful. Staff and volunteer trainers are always available to guide you on your journey.
Importance of Adult Learning
Progression is the key to the way Girl Scouts learn about the world around them. In practice, progression means using common sense in preparing for experience ~ one step at a time. A number of safeguards are built into the Girl Scout program to ensure progression and girl readiness. Progression is also important for adults. Whether an adult is learning to take a group on a hike, stay overnight in a program center or prepare a meal over an outdoor stove, some basic safety considerations require that she be trained to take part in the planning an implementation of the adventure. In turn, adults then teach girls the necessary steps of successful planning.
Finding the Adult Learning Course for You
Find the appropriate series for you based on your volunteer position and then pick how you want to take it. Many courses are offered in a variety of formats to accommodate busy lives and different learning styles.
| Learning Series | Example Volunteer Positions |
|---|---|
| Click on the series below to be taken to availabe course. | |
| Troop | Troop leader/co-leader, Assistant leader, parent helper |
| Travel | Troop leader/co-leader, Assistant leader, Travel chaperone |
| Outdoor Activities | Troop Leader/co-leader, Assistant leader, parent helper |
| Tell Me How | Troop Leader/co-leader, Assistant leader, parent helper |
| Service Team | Service Unit Director, Leader Mentor, Recognition Coordinator, etc. |
How to REGISTER for Adult Learning Courses
- Classroom style courses are held at a variety of locations throughout the council and listed below. There are many ways to register for classroom style courses:
- 2011-2012 Adult Learning Schedule - Use this schedule to find a training, then use these steps below to register.
- Register online with eBiz
- Register by email Adult Learning
- Register by phone, call Claudia at 800-798-0833
- Register by mail: fill out the Adult Learning Registration Form and mail to the Quad Cities Area Leadership Center
Remember registration deadline is ONE WEEK BEFORE the session. (Two weeks before any outdoor training.) If you have any questions regarding Adult Learning Courses, contact AdultLearning@GSEIWI.org.
Troop Leadership Series
| If You | You Need | Course Description | Learning Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Are a new volunteer | Online Volunteer Orientation | This course is recommended before starting a volunteer position and has been designed to convey the vision, values and goals of Girl Scouts. | Online (Password: discover) |
| Meet or work with girls on a regular basis | Getting Started | This course is required before working with girls. It is designed to help get your troop started: planning meetings, involving families, safety issues and forms. Prerequisite: Orientation | Group Setting Online |
Want to learn about the new Program Portfolio and how to use the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting and Journeys | Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting and Beyond | This course will walk you through the newest resource in our Girl Scout Program Portfolio, The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting. It introduces the new badges and activities, and includes tips on connecting the new badges with the existing Journeys ~ giving you a complete Program Portfolio to work with. | Online |
| Meet or work with girls on a regular basis | Leadership Essentials | This course is designed to equip leaders with information on how to lead girls to Discover, Connect and Take Action using the new Grade Level Journeys. It will cover leadership and management skills, plus grade appropriate program information. All six grade levels are included in the course. Prerequisite: Orientation, Getting Started |
Group Setting Online (Password: discover) |
| Want to leave the meeting space and/or stay overnight in a closed structure with running water, heat, toilets, lights, kitchen facilities and phone cell coverage. | Overnight /Troop Readiness | This course is required. This course includes information on going beyond the meeting place, longer field trips, and overnight experiences with emphasis on using camp lodges. It teaches adults to lead girls on new adventures. Go step-by-step through the thinking and planning involved in short field trips, daytime outdoor activities and indoor overnights. Prerequisite: Orientation |
Group Setting Homestudy |
| Want to take girls camping at an established site that is missing one or more of the above amenities | Camp Skills | This course is required and gives adult the skills and resources to help girls plan an outdoor program. It includes fire building, cooking safety, planning and progression.
Prerequisite: Orientation, Overnight/ Troop Readiness (Overnight/Troop Readiness must be taken previously or is available same day after completion of Camp Skills course.) |
Outdoor Group Setting |
| Want to take girls on a trip of three nights or more | Extended Travel | This course provides information on extended travel for older girls. Includes information on GSUSA extended travel guidelines, insurance coverage, vehicle rental, hotel safety, risk management plan, and more
Prerequisite: Orientation, Overnight/Troop Readiness |
Homestudy Online By request: AdultLearning@GSEIWI.org |
| Want to take girls on an international trip | International Extended Travel | This course provides information on an international extended trip for older girls. Includes information on international travel guidelines, insurance, hotel safety, risk management plan, and more. | Homestudy Online By request: AdultLearning@GSEIWI.org |
Travel Leadership Series
| If You | You Need | Course Description | Learning Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Are a new volunteer | Online Volunteer Orientation | This course is recommended before starting a volunteer position and has been designed to convey the vision, values and goals of Girl Scouts. | Online (Password: discover) |
| Want to leave the meeting space and/or stay overnight in a closed structure with running water, heat, toilets, lights, kitchen facilities and phone cell coverage. | Overnight /Troop Readiness | This course is required and includes information on going beyond the meeting place, longer field trips, and overnight experiences with emphasis on using camp lodges. It teaches adults to lead girls on new adventures. Go step-by-step through the thinking and planning involved in short field trips, daytime outdoor activities and indoor overnights.
Prerequisite: Orientation |
Group Setting Homestudy |
| Want to take girls on a trip of three nights or more | Extended Travel | This course provides information on extended travel for older girls. Includes information on GSUSA extended travel guidelines, insurance coverage, vehicle rental, hotel safety, risk management plan, and more. Prerequisite: Orientation, Overnight/Troop Readiness |
Homestudy Online By request: AdultLearning@GSEIWI.org |
| Want to take girls on an international trip | International Extended Travel | This course provides information on an international extended trip for older girls. Includes information on international travel guidelines, insurance, hotel safety, risk management plan, and more. | Homestudy Online By request: AdultLearning@GSEIWI.org |
Outdoor Activities Leadership Series
| If You | You Need | Course Description | Learning Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Are a new volunteer | Online Volunteer Orientation | This course is recommended before starting a volunteer position and has been designed to convey the vision, values and goals of Girl Scouts. | Online (Password: discover) |
| Want to leave the meeting space and/or stay overnight in a closed structure with running water, heat, toilets, lights, kitchen facilities and phone cell coverage. | Overnight /Troop Readiness | This course is required and includes information on going beyond the meeting place, longer field trips, and overnight experiences with emphasis on using camp lodges. It teaches adults to lead girls on new adventures. Go step-by-step through the thinking and planning involved in short field trips, daytime outdoor activities and indoor overnights.
Prerequisite: Orientation |
Group Setting Homestudy |
| Want to take girls camping at an established site that is missing one or more of the above amenities | Camp Skills | This course is required and gives adult the skills and resources to help girls plan an outdoor program. It includes fire building, cooking safety, planning and progression.
Prerequisite: Orientation, Overnight/ Troop Readiness (Overnight/Troop Readiness must be taken previously or is available same day after completion of Camp Skills course) |
Outdoor Group Setting |
| Want to be a trained facilitator for our specialized outdoor activity courses | Specialized Activity Courses | We have a variety of courses available. Fees apply for these courses. Available courses: Archery, canoeing, challenge course, horseback riding (trail leader), zip line | Outdoor Group Setting Contact Mahlon Sibert |
| Are an adult with - extensive camping experience with youth from another organization - previous camp courses but not been camping for more than 3 years | Outdoor refresher course | This course covers basic skills, safety management and procedures for outdoor program and camping overnights. | By request: AdultLearning@GSEIWI.org |
Tell Me How, the Troop Enrichment Leadership Series
| If You | You Need | Course Description | Learning Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Want to learn about the new Program Portfolio and how to use the Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting and Journeys | Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting and Beyond | This course will walk you through the newest resource in our Girl Scout Program Portfolio, The Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting. It introduces the new badges and activities, and includes tips on connecting the new badges with the existing Journeys ~ giving you a complete Program Portfolio to work with. | Online |
| Need help finding parent help for your troop | Parental Involvement eLearning course | This course will give you resources as well as suggestions on utilizing parents in your troop. Conflict management is also included for those times when parents and leaders don't see eye to eye. | Online |
| If you work with girls and need a better understanding | Girl Scout Leadership Experience | Learn the hows and whys of Discover, Connect and Take Action. Why these steps are so important in teaching leadership to girls. | Online |
| Need help with troop finances | Troop Finance eLearning course | This course will help leaders get troop finances to a manageable level. It includes suggestions for troop dues, setting up bank accounts, help understanding financial assistance and help with understanding product sales dollars. | Online |
Service Team Leadership Series
| If You | You Need | Course Description | Learning Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Are a Service Team Leader Mentor | Leader Mentor Training | This course will give you the skills and resources to help a new volunteer walk through her very first year as a Girl Scout leader. | Scheduled as needed, contact your Regional Membership Manager Homestudy Online |
| Are a Service Team Recognition Coordinator | Recognition Coordinator training | This course covers all the GSUSA recognition awards, local recognitions and how to recognize all leaders in your Service Unit over the course of the year. | Scheduled as needed, contact your Regional Membership Manager Homestudy Online |
| Are you a Team Event Coordinator | Event Coordinator Training | Learn how to put on a Service Unit event…the how to's for finding an idea, focusing on a specific grade level, determining event fees that will cover your expenses, and a check list of tasks as the event date draws near. | Scheduled as needed, contact your Regional Membership Manager |
| Are a Service Unit Director | Service Unit Director | This course will give you the tools to be a successful Service Unit Director…from building a team, running a meeting, and planning for the year. | Scheduled as needed, contact your Regional Membership Manager |
| Are a School Organizer | School Organizer | Learn how a School Organizer works at a given school. Learn about building relationships with school administrators, organizing recruitments, and working with leaders in your school to give ongoing support. | Scheduled as needed, contact your Regional Membership Manager |
CPR & First Aid
A first aider is an adult volunteer who has taken Girl Scout–approved first aid and CPR training that includes specific instructions for child CPR. The Safety Activity Checkpoints specify when a first aider needs to be present. Training in first aid and CPR is available from the American Red Cross, National Safety Council, EMP America or American Heart Association. Contact your local agency for a schedule of their classes. If you would like to request a training for your service unit, contact AdultLearning@gseiwi.org
There are two categories of first-aiders:
- First-aider (level 1): The presence of a first-aider (level 1) is required at many group activities including trips lasting more than four hours (including travel time). The course required to be a first-aider (level 1) is one that offers standard first-aid and CPR, preferably with a focus on children.
- First-aider (level 2): The presence of a first-aider (level 2) is required at resident camp, and at any camp activity with more than 200 participants. In addition, some activities require a first-aider (level 2); the Safety Activity Checkpoints state clearly whether a first-aider (level 2) is needed. First-aiders (level 2) pass the same course as first-aiders (level 1), and also have emergency response/first response, sports safety, wilderness first-aid, and/or advanced first-aid and CPR training. Each organization has a different name for its training, so be sure to ask whether a training course fulfills the level-2 requirements.
Enrichment Workshops on Request
Would you like to learn more about working with girls or get ideas for enriching your troop meetings? Enrichment workshops are available to help meet those needs. Get your Girl Scouts friends together, or as a Service area request an enrichment workshop. Available workshops:
- Advanced Outdoor Cooking (60-120 min.)
- Bridging Ideas (30 min.)
- Ceremonies (60 min.)
- Girl Scout Traditions (15-30 min.)
- Increasing Parental Involvement (30 min.)
- Songs & Games (30-90 min.)
- Supporting Teens Earning the Highest Award (30 min.)
- Supporting Teen Leadership Opportunities (15 min.)
- SWAPS (30 min.)
- Working With and Supporting Girls with Disabilities (60 min.)
To request a workshop, you must provide a list of a minimum of 5 participants and their names, addresses, phone, and e-mail. You must also provide the site information with at least two dates. Please allow at least four weeks to arrange for the workshop. Upon receipt of a request, facilitators will be contacted. The adult learning department will do their best to make it happen. Enrichment Workshop Request Form
