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Adult Training

Adult volunteers bring important knowledge and life skills with them. We provide training programs that enable adult volunteers to apply their experience to their role in Girl Scouting, learn the methods and materials special to Girl Scouting, and expand their own abilities in ways personally useful in the job market. You must register before you can attend a training session.

Click the icon below to access an online calendar that lists all programs, training and council events. There's a separate tab for each category.

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Are you training to become a brand new leader? Click here for the "skinny" on new leader training! We have a special page just for you!


Some helpful hints:

  • Deadline for registration is generally two weeks prior to the session or as noted.
  • Register early to avoid disappointment
  • Minimum course size is ten unless otherwise noted. If minimum is not reached by registration deadline, course may be canceled and you will be notified by telephone or email. Every effort will be made to place registrants in another course.
  • Registrations received less than two weeks before an event are not eligible for refunds.
  • Please do not bring children to training sessions unless child care arrangements are specifically mentioned for that course. We encourage you to ask other parents to baby-sit as a service to the troop.
  • Check the website or call the council office at the numbers below for cancellations due to weather.

Have questions? Please don't hesitate to call us at 401.331.4500 or 800.331.0149 or at registration@gsri.org should you have any questions.

Course Descriptions and dates

Advanced Trips
For troops planning to take big trips (more than three nights) which require long-term planning and, in most cases, extra troop fundraising events. GSUSA has prepared a four-part kit called the Global Travel Tool Kit which covers all the topics and provides worksheets, timelines and a travel journal. We'll review the tool kit and also present a panel of leaders who have taken successful trips in the US and abroad. This workshop is open to girls and leaders; we invite whole troops to participate. If leaders cannot make this once-a-year workshop, please contact Martha Frutchey at 401.331.4500 or 800.331.0149 x 1408.

No trainings currently scheduled.


Age Level Change - Daisy to Brownie
For Daisy troop leaders who are moving to Brownies. This course provides an introduction to the Journey books and other program activities. Participants will go over requirements, program and troop/group governance. Prerequisite: New Leader Training, Parts A & B. Please bring the Brownie Girl's Guide to Girl Scouting to the training.

* Tuesday, May 21, 2013 from 7-8:30pm @ Camp Hoffman, West Kingston, RI at Longhouse.

* Thursday, May 23, 2013 from 7-8:30pm @ Camp Cookie, Glocester, RI.

* Tuesday, May 28, 2013 from 7-8:30pm @ Camp Promising Acres, Swansea, MA

* Wednesday, June 5, 2013 from 7-8:30pm @ Camp Hoffman, West Kingston, RI at Longhouse.

* Thursday, June 13, 2013 from 7-8:30pm @ East Providence Recreation Center, 100 Bullocks Point Ave, Riverside, RI 02915.

 

Age Level Change for All Other Leaders
Leaders moving up to Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador levels should look for online training on the GSRI website in August 2013.

 

Backpacking 201
A hands-on training to teach you how to take a Girl Scout troop tent camping and hiking. Volunteers will learn about "leave no trace" camping principles, how to cook on a backpacking stove, water purification techniques, food safety and storage, sanitation basics, selection of a three-point camp site and experience carrying a 25-35 pound pack on a two-mile hike. Training is for adults only. The $50 fee covers classroom sessions, manual and site rental and food for the overnight.

Pre-requisites: Physically fit to carry a 25-35 lb backpack for two miles. Training: GSRI Outdoor Day, GSRI Troop Camp Training, Hiking series or equivalent. Recommended: GSRI Cooking and Tents workshop, GSRI Orienteering workshop and First Aid/CPR. If you have questions, contact Beth Dorich at ne64ncjht@aol.com or Bill Howard at willy201@verizon.net.

* Classroom sessions on Wednesdays, May 15 & 29, 2013 @ Camp Hoffman (Longhouse), West Kingston, RI from 6:30-9:30pm. Overnight session is Saturday, June 1 - Sunday, June 2 at the Arcadia Management Area, Exeter, Ri. Deadline for registration is May 1, 2013.

 

First Aid/CPR
Certification in First Aid/CPR is required for at least one adult accompanying troops/groups on trips or overnight outings; it is recommended for all other troop activities. The GSRI course offers a two-year certification from the American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI). Fee is $45 paid to the trainer on the day of training (cash or check). Please do NOT send in payment with the registration form!

* Thursdays, May 9 and 23, 6:30-9:30pm (must attend both sessions) @ Washington Oak School, 801 Read School House Rd, Coventry, RI.

 

Go for Gold/Strive for Silver
This workshop focuses on the current requirements for the Gold and Silver Awards. Please note that girls, their parents, and adult leaders may register for this workshop. When registering, please indicate whether you are pursuing the Gold Award or Silver Award.

No trainings currently scheduled.

 

GSRI Museum Docent Training
Interested in Girl Scout history? Then why not volunteer to become a docent for the Sarah Hazard Nomer Girl Scout Museum at Camp Hoffman? You'll teach girls and adults about GSRI history and the memorabilia housed at the museum. This is an "occasional" volunteer position, usually requiring about an hour of your time, 3-5 times a year. Training is open to troop adults, Rangers, Camping Consultants, and Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts accompanied by an adult.

No trainings currently scheduled.

 

Low Ropes Training
Learn games and strategies to become a trained facilitator for the low ropes course at Camp Hoffman. You'll learn about the Whale Watch, Mohawk Walk, Triangle Traverse, and Spider's Web. The training is free and we ask that you donate at least 3 days of your time in the next year to introduce the course to girls, including the ones in your own troop. No experience necessary. This training is the first step to full challenge course certification and must be passed in order to participate in the High Ropes Training. Please contact Laurie Pansa at the council office for more information.

No trainings currently scheduled.

 

New Leader Training

New Leader Training consists of the following parts:

Part A: The Basics, online training from the websites of Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scouts of Rhode Island. To receive instructions about how to access and report these trainings, please contact the GSRI office.


Part B: Organizing a Troop, a three-hour, face-to-face workshop on how to get started as a Girl Scout volunteer and how to organize troop activities.

Please register to attend one of the following sessions:

* Tuesday, May 14, 2013 @ East Greenwich Methodist Church, 1558 South County Trail, East Greenwich, RI from 6:30pm-9:30pm.

* Monday, June 3, 2013 @ Camp Cookie, Glocester, RI from 6:30pm-9:30pm.

* Saturday, July 20, 2013 @ GSRI's New Offices, 500 Greenwich Ave, Warwick, RI from 10am - 1pm.


Once Parts A and B are completed, leaders may start troop meetings.


Part C: Outdoor Day is a six-hour course that introduces new leaders to a GSRI camp and shows them how to prepare girls for a day at one of the GSRI camps. Sessions are scheduled from April through October.

* Saturday, May 4, 2013 @ Camp Promising Acres, Swansea, MA from 9am to 2:30pm. - PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS SESSION HAS BEEN CANCELED

* Saturday, May 11, 2013 @ Camp Hoffman, West Kingston, RI from 9am to 2:30pm.

* Sunday, May 19, 2013 @ Camp Hoffman, West Kingston, RI from 1:15pm-6:15pm.

* Sunday, June 9, 2013 @ Camp Cookie, Glocester, RI from 10:30am to 4pm.


Outdoor Day AND Troop Camp Training
This course combines the basics of Outdoor Day training and Troop Camp Training in one course. The curriculum provides adults with the basic knowledge, skills, planning, methods and techniques to enable troops to have a successful troop outdoor day or camp experience. Successful completion of this course will qualify an adult to take a troop for an outdoor day at a GSRI camp, to a lodge or cabin for a weekend or for platform tent camping. Attendance at ALL sessions of each course is mandatory for completion. The course consists of six hours of classroom sessions and hands-on training from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon. COST: $20.00.

No trainings currently scheduled.


Troop Camp Training
This training provides adults with the basic knowledge, skills, planning, methods and techniques to enable troops to have a successful troop camp experience. Successful completion of this course will qualify an adult to take a troop cabin and/or platform tent camping. Attendance at ALL sessions of each course is mandatory for completion. The course consists of six hours of classroom sessions and hands-on training from Saturday morning to Sunday afternoon. Prerequisite: New Leader Training, Part C - Outdoor Day. COST: $20.00

* Classroom sessions are Thursdays, May 30 and June 13, 2013, from 6:30-9:30pm, at Hopkins Hill Elementary School, 95 Johnson Blvd, Coventry, RI. Overnight session: From 9am on Saturday June 15 through 12pm on Sunday, June 16 at Camp Narrow River, North Kingstown, RI.

* Classroom session is Wednesday, August 28, 2013 from 5-10pm at GSRI Office, 500 Greenwich Ave, Warwick, RI (training room, lower level). Overnight session is from 9am on Saturday, September 14 through 1pm on Sunday, September 15 at Camp Hoffman, West Kingston, RI.

* Classroom sessions are Wednesdays, November 6 and 13, 2013 from 6:30-9:30pmat Paintbox Preschool, 321 High St, Cumberland, RI. Overnight session is from 9am on Saturday, November 16 through 1pm on Sunday, November 17 at Camp Promising Acres, 580 Dillon Rd, Swansea, MA.

* Classroom sessions are Tuesdays, January 21 and 28, 2014 from 6:30-9:30pm at Barrington United Methodist Church, 230 Washington Rd, Barrington, RI. Overnight session is from 9am on Saturday, February 8, 2014 through 1pm on Sunday, February 9, 2014 at Camp Promising Acres, Swansea, MA.


Ranger Training
Volunteers who complete this training will be eligible to spend weekends at Camp Hoffman as Rangers, people who are on-call to answer questions and help troops and groups using the facilities. This training is limited to adults who have completed Troop Camp Training.

Contact Laurie Pansa at 800.331.0149 or 401.331.4500 x 1400 for details.


Troop Refresher Course
This course is for leaders who completed Troop Camp Training prior to 2005 or for leaders who were certified by another Girl Scout council. It covers the policies and procedures of GSRI and contains updates on training fundamentals. This course consists of one classroom session; there is no outdoor practicum. Once completed, leaders may take girls troop camping.

No trainings currently scheduled.


Troop Trips II
This training is required for all leaders planning trips of more than 100 miles from their communities and/or overnight trips (including museum overnights). This course is not required for overnight camping trips at GSRI camps because leaders receive a full training at the Troop/Group Camp Training session.

* Wednesday, May 8, 2013 @ Camp Hoffman, House by the Side of the Road, West Kingston, RI from 6:30-8:30pm.