Adult Training Facilitating powerful girl experiences begins with excellent adult training. Since most successful troops are those with adults working together, adult trainings are suggested for all adult members (not just troop leaders). These trainings are where you’ll gain new skills, learn how to assist troop leaders, and begin to create a collaborative team atmosphere for your troop. Note: Training dates are subject to change due to COVID-19. Have questions about adult training? Please email AdultLearning@gswcf.org.
NEW! Register for all Adult Learning in gsLearn is our new online training platform where you'll begin your learning adventure! Whether you need to take an on-demand webinar or in-person outdoor training, you can register through gsLearn, found in your MyGS tab. Just log in to MyGS and choose gsLearn.
Adult Leadership Training
Adult Safety Training
NEW LEADER TRAINING
CPR/First Aid Certification
The four on-demand webinars required for new leaders and highly suggested for troop helpers include:
This certification is required for the troop first aider role and highly suggested for troop leader and troop helper roles. You’ll gain knowledge and skills for emergency life-saving techniques involving children and adults. Until the state of Florida exits Phase 3 of COVID-19, in-person training is valid but will not be organized by our council. The approved online format is available to register on gsLearn.
Let’s Get Organized: Learn how to organize yourself and your troop.
Wilderness First Aid Certification (Level 2 First Aid)
Training for new leaders consists of four on-demand webinars plus small group virtual meetings scheduled monthly. Register for all trainings through gsLearn.
Let’s Work Together: Learn how to have a parent/caregiver meeting and a collaborative troop team. Let’s Be Girl-Led: Learn about the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and what it means to be girl-led at different Girl Scout levels. Traveling Troops: Learn the progression for girls to leave their meeting space and go on field trips—from around the corner to the other corner of the world! This training is required prior to a troop’s first field trip.
ADDITIONAL ADULT LEADERSHIP TRAINING Additional leadership trainings for all members available through on-demand webinars include: Take Action: This training is suggested before girls begin their first Journey or High Award (Girl Scout Bronze, Silver, or Gold Awards). Let’s Be Girl-Led: This training is suggested for troop leaders and helpers with girls bridging to the next level. A full list of on-demand webinars is available on the Adult Learning web page at gswcf.org.
Learn how to handle common injuries and illnesses when medical care is 30 minutes away or more. This two-day course is required for those who will travel with girls to remote locations, where medical care is 30 minutes or more away. Nov. 7 & Nov. 8, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Camp Brorein, Odessa More dates may be available. Contact AdultLearning@gswcf.org $120/adult
Waterfront Lifeguard Certification This is a four-part course; passing all four sessions is required to earn your certification. Upon completion of this program, you'll be certified by the American Red Cross to serve as a lifeguard. Training is completed through videos, group discussion, and hands–on practice. You'll learn teamwork, rescue, and surveillance skills. First Aid and CPR/AED are included in this class. Date and location to be determined. Email AdultLearning@gswcf.org for more information. (Classes will be scheduled for interested participants.) $145/adult
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida ☙ Adult Training 2020–21
Outdoor Training
ADVANCED OUTDOOR COOKING
CAMPING SKILLS Basic Outdoor Leadership Training (BOLT) Prerequisite: Stepping Out webinar and Traveling Troops This course provides basic outdoor instruction for taking your girls cabin camping. Instruction includes fire safety, knife safety, knots, outdoor cooking using wood fire, charcoal, and propane, plus an introduction to Leave No Trace Principles and girl-led outdoor experience progressions (planning for and doing). A BOLT trained adult is responsible for training girls in these skills, along with all other adults attending troop camping trips. Recommended for troop leaders and troop helpers. Mar. 20, 8:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Camp Wildwood, Wildwood Nov. 21, Jan. 9, 8:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Camp Wai Lani, Palm Harbor Oct. 24, Feb. 27, 8:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Camp Indian Echo, Hudson Dec. 5, Apr. 10, 8:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m. Camp Dorothy Thomas, Riverview $12/adult
Advanced Camp Training Prerequisite: BOLT This training is required training to take girls tent camping. Take your camping experience one step further! Learn about girladult partnerships, planning and preparedness skills, and gain an understanding of the Leave No Trace principles. Includes compass skills, using axes and hacksaws, and other advanced outdoor skills. Nov. 7, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Camp, Wai Lani, Palm Harbor Jan. 23, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Camp, Wildwood, Wildwood April 24, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Camp Indian Echo, Hudson $10/adult
Adult prerequisite for all advanced outdoor cooking trainings: BOLT Advanced Outdoor Cooking Trainings are for adults and one Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, or Ambassador. They are not a troop trainings, but are intended to encourage more girl participation in advanced outdoor cooking skills. We'll focus on different themes and fun outdoor cooking methods. You won't leave hungry as you'll learn how to prepare and cook...and then eat delicious food!
Advanced Outdoor Cooking– Touch of Ireland Cooking Learn how to prepare Irish favorites with several types of outdoor cooking methods. Nov. 7, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Camp Wai Lani, Palm Harbor $10/person
Advanced Outdoor Cooking– Eat like a Queen, Renaissance Style Enjoy old world flair as you learn cooking techniques found at Renaissance Fairs. Roasting on spits and tri-pods for large groups is just the beginning. Encampment and event directors won't want to miss this training! Oct. 3, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Camp Indian Echo, Hudson $10/person
Advanced Outdoor Cooking– Trash Can Cooking for Large Groups Did you ever think you could use a (new) trash can to cook in? This class will focus on cooking trash can style and include outdoor cooking fun and delicious food to make for large troops and groups. Jan. 10, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Camp Wildwood, Wildwood $10/person
Advanced Outdoor Cooking–EXTREME Dutch Ovens This class will focus on using Dutch ovens for everything...well almost everything! Find out how to use a Dutch oven to cook more than just a dump cake! Mar. 20, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Camp Indian Echo, Hudson $10/person
Advanced Outdoor Cooking– Solar and Box Ovens—Low Impact Expand your cooking skillset using solar and box ovens for cooking complete meals. There will be a demonstration of how to make the ovens too! Apr. 25, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Camp Indian Echo, Hudson $10/person
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida ☙ Adult Training 2020–21
OUTDOOR SPORTS/ACTIVITIES
Pocket Knife Safety Learn knife safety in order to train girls in the skills necessary to complete their knife safety training and earn the Pocket Knife/ Jackknife Safety Pledge Certificate. Nov. 14, 10–11:30 a.m. All Saints Lutheran Church, Lutz Mar. 6, 10–11:30 a.m. Girl Scout Leadership Center, Tampa Dec. 5, noon–1:30 p.m. Camp Indian Echo, Hudson
Get certified to bring the love of archery to your troop or service unit. Learn how to safely handle bows and arrows, and manage and teach your girls at the same time! Nov. 14, May 15, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Camp Dorothy Thomas, Riverview Jan. 23, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Camp Wildwood, Wildwood, Wildwood
May 8, noon–1:30 p.m. Camp Wildwood, Wildwood $10/adult
Oct. 24, Apr. 24, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Camp Indian Echo, Hudson
Wilderness Camp Training Prerequisites: BOLT and Advanced Camp Training Want to take girls on trips into the wilderness, including hiking on the Appalachian Trail or primitive camping? This course requires completion of all three consecutive sessions. Oct. 24, 9:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Camp Wildwood, Wildwood Nov. 13–14 (time and location to be determined) Mar. 5–6 (time and location to be determined) $10/adult
PROJECT WILD Discover how to facilitate girls' learning about wildlife through Project WILD, an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program emphasizing wildlife. Over $50 worth of materials are included in each training below.
Project WILD/Aquatic Wild Combo Certification Get two certifications in one course! Learn about land and sea creatures with fun activities for children. Oct. 24, 1–5 p.m., Camp Wildwood, Wildwood $5/adult
Project WILD–Growing Up Wild Certification Join us for this early childhood education curriculum that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Designed for working with Girl Scout Daisy and Brownie levels. Dec. 5, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. All Saints Lutheran Church, Lutz $5/adult
Project WILD–Black Bear Certification Learn all about Florida’s black bears with fun interactive activities. Feb. 28, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Camp Indian Echo, Hudson $5/adult
Archery Level 1 Certification
Dec. 12, Feb. 20, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Camp Wai Lani, Palm Harbor $50/adult
Archery Level 2 Certification Want to be a council trainer and help deliver archery certification training to adult members so they can instruct their girls? This course will certify you to facilitate the Level 1 USA Archery Certification trainings. Includes overnight accommodations at camp. Oct. 9, 4 p.m.–Oct. 10, 7 p.m. Camp Wildwood, Wildwood $115/adult Limited scholarships available. Contact AdultLearning@gswcf.org for more information.
Basic Pottery Wheel Techniques Prerequisite: Kiln Certification Learn how to use a pottery wheel and create in clay. Adults may bring one Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, or Ambassador. This is not a troop event. Nov. 8, Apr. 25, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Camp Wai Lani, Palm Harbor $20/person
Ceramics, Coil Pottery & Kiln Certification Get trained to operate the kiln for your troop or service unit. Learn the stages of ceramics from green-ware to glazed pieces. Learn to make pinch pots, coil pots, and slab pots. Dec. 6, Jan. 17, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Camp Dorothy Thomas, Riverview Mar. 21, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Camp Wai Lani, Palm Harbor $20/adult
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida ☙ Adult Training 2020–21
Paddling 101 for Adults No prerequisite requirements.
OUTDOOR TRAINING EVENT
This is a beginner level training for paddling and does not take the place of Small Craft Safety training. Learn how to correctly paddle for canoeing and kayaking, and how to teach girls to paddle correctly using fun games! Apr. 24, 9:30–11:30 a.m. Oct. 10, 2:30–4:30 p.m. Camp Indian Echo, Hudson
Showcase of Skills– Camp Greenblood
$10/adult
Small Craft Safety: Canoe, Kayak & Paddleboard Training This training is required to take girls canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding at Camp Indian Echo and small lakes with no current in Florida. You’ll develop the skills to self–rescue and assist others. Practice small craft safety emergencies. Participants should already have experience with canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Apr. 25, May 22, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Camp Indian Echo, Hudson
Join us for one day or spend the weekend at the fourth annual Showcase of Skills– Camp Greenblood. You’ll learn outdoor skills, arts, and tips and traditions to pass down to your troop! Get ready for a day jampacked with hands-on activities and skill building of all kinds to help you enhance your girls’ experiences, share ideas, and network. For a list of session topics, please email AdultLearning@gswcf.org Jan. 16, 9 a.m.–7:30 p.m. Camp Dorothy Thomas, Riverview $30/adult (adult day pass, Saturday only)
$60/adult
Coastal Paddle Board Facilitator Training
Open Water Canoe/Kayak Training
Pre-requisite: Small Craft Safety Training
Prerequisite: Current Small Craft Safety Training or Red Cross Small Craft Safety
Want to take girls paddle boarding at Camp Wai Lani? This two day course is required. Attendance at both dates is required to pass. Nov. 7 & Nov. 14, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Mar. 13 & Mar. 20, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Camp Wai Lani, Palm Harbor
Learn how to safely navigate open water canoeing and kayaking and practice navigating the coastal waters at Camp Wai Lani. Open Water Training is required for use of canoes or kayaks at Camp Wai Lani. Oct. 25, May 16, 2:30–4:30 p.m. Apr. 17, 9–11 a.m. Camp Wai Lani, Palm Harbor $10/adult Please note: Small Craft Safety, Red Cross Small Craft Safety With Open Water Canoe/Kayak trainings do not qualify adults to take girls coastal waters that are not at GSWCF camp properties or to take girls river canoeing, kayaking, or paddleboarding. See safety activity check points (SAC) for certifications required by either hired or volunteer facilitators.
$155/adult
Facilitating Adult Learning Want to be a trainer for other adult volunteers using GSWCF course materials? We need trainers who are willing to share their knowledge and know-how in leadership skills or outdoor activities (camping/small craft, etc.). Email AdultLearning@gswcf.org for more information. (Trainings will be scheduled for interested participants.) $5/adult
After careful review of SAC and insurance carrier recommendations, the content of these trainings does not qualify for locations outside of the parameters/locations as outlined in the descriptions above. Council Approval All outdoor trips outside of GSWCF camp properties, utilizing any water crafts including but not limited to canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and rafts will need written approval from council, with a minimum of two weeks prior notice. Use the Off-Camp Watersports Approval form to submit your trip for approval.
Girl Scouts of West Central Florida ☙ Adult Training 2020–21