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Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about adult learning (training):

Leadership Series Trainings

Do I have to be trained if I am not a troop leader but want to work with girls?
I keep hearing about age level courses. Do I need to take these?
We are a co-op troop; do we all have to take training?
Are courses from other councils transferable?

Trip & Outdoor Series Trainings

I’m an experienced camper. Do I still have to take Troop Camping Certification?
I’ve already done day camp training; can I test out of Troop Camping Certification?

First Aid Series Trainings

How can I tell if I need to have a first aider present?
I have medical training. Do I need First Aid training?

Registration Process for In-Person Classes

How do I register for a class?
What if I cannot find a class to attend?
I can't make it to a class. Can I take an online course through the web?
I won’t be sure until the last minute if I will be able to attend a class. Can I just drop in?
How will I know if I have been accepted into the course?
I didn't get my confirmation. Am I in the class?
Are the class sizes limited?
Do you have a waitlist for full classes?

Cancellations

What if I cannot attend a class I registered for?
Are classes ever canceled?

Cost of Trainings

Is there any cost associated with classes?
If I cannot attend a class that I have already paid for, can I get my money back?
I need to take a course that costs money but I don't have the funds. Is there help?

Attending Trainings

Where are the trainings?
Who conducts the training?
How can I get the best classroom/InPerson learning experience?
Can my child come with me to training?
What should I bring to training?

Other Questions

Where can I find out about what trainings I have taken?
I have questions but don't know who to call.

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Leadership Series Trainings

Q: Do I have to be trained if I am not a troop leader but want to work with girls?
A: Each troop/group must have at least one registered and fully trained adult in attendance at every meeting or outing, and it is recommended that as many adults as possible who work with girls take the Core Leadership Series.

Q: I keep hearing about age level courses. Do I need to take these?
A: Note that we now refer to “age levels” or program levels as grade levels. Grade level courses are no longer required, but are highly recommended for new leaders or for volunteers working with girls who move from one level to the next.

Q: We are a co-op troop; do we all have to take training?
A: Each troop/group (including co-op troops) must have at least one registered and fully trained adult in attendance at every meeting or outing, and it is recommended that as many adults as possible who work with girls take the Core Leadership Series. If the adults in the troop will rotate responsibility for troop meetings, each adult will need to take these courses. You will find that a trained adult leadership team will have a more smoothly running troop experience and will be more likely to stay together.

Q: Are courses from other councils transferable?
A: Sometimes trainings from other councils are transferable if they are equivalent. Please contact the Volunteer Resources Department at your local council office.

Trip & Outdoor Series Trainings

Q: I’m an experienced camper. Do I still have to take Troop Camping Certification?
A: The emphasis in this course is on how to teach skills to girls, health and safety concerns when camping with larger groups, and logistics of outdoor living with larger groups. Camping with a Girl Scout troop or group is quite different than family camping in many ways.

Q: I’ve already done day camp training; can I test out of Troop Camping Certification?
A: No. Day camp staff training provides you with training that emphasizes the girl/adult partnership, needs and characteristics of girls and working within an outdoor small group setting. During day camp, there is an administrative staff that supports you behind the scenes putting safety measures into place, developing well-rounded program and so on. Troop Camping Certification provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to be “out on your own” as a troop. Troop Camping Certification includes such things as health and safety concerns, budgeting, group dynamics in the out-of-doors, minimal impact camping and more.

First Aid Series Trainings

Q: How can I tell if I need to have a first aider present?
A: Consult Safety Activity Checkpoints and the Council Resource Guide to determine which activities require Level I and Level II first aiders. Level 1 first aiders are required for many non-meeting troop activities, one or two night camping trips, day camps and most trips. Level 2 first aiders may be required if there are a large number of participants or there are federal or state regulations requiring a higher level of training.

Q: I have medical training. Do I need First Aid training?
A:If you are a physician, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, paramedic, military medic, and emergency medical technician 18 years of age or older, you are exempt from having to take any additional first aid training if you are comfortable with emergency medical skills, and your license/certification is current.

Registration Process for In Person Classes:

Q: How do I register for a class?
A: Click here for instructions on registering either online or through the mail or fax.

 

Q: What if I cannot find a class to attend?
A: If you can’t find a class today, keep checking regularly or you may take an Online or Home Study course. New classes are added on a regular basis and can be found in the Monday Mailing available through an email newsletter. To sign up for Monday Mailings please click here.

 Please PLAN AHEAD at the beginning of the year. Some courses are only offered at certain times. Certain courses may fill, such as first aid or camping classes, so it is a good idea to fulfill your training requirements early to avoid disappointment.

 

Q: I can't make it to a class. Can I take an online course through the web?
A: Yes! Click here to register for our online courses.

Q: I won’t be sure until the last minute if I will be able to attend a class. Can I just drop in?
A: PLEASE register for any class you plan to attend. Our volunteer trainers plan the course and bring materials for registered participants only. Also, classes are occasionally canceled or the location is changed at the last minute, and only registered participants are notified.

Q: How will I know if I have been accepted into the course?
A: You will receive a confirmation email once you register for the class. A reminder email is sent out 2-3 days before the course.  For Troop Camping Certification and First Aid classes, the volunteer learning facilitator will send out an email to registered participants with further details and what to bring.

NOTE: Some internet service providers will screen out automatically generated e-mail.  Please make sure to double check your SPAM folder

 

Q: I didn't get my confirmation. Am I in the class?
A: You may not receive a confirmation for several reasons. Occasionally, our confirmation e-mails are blocked by some servers or overlooked as junk mail by some participants. For verbal confirmation, please contact our Registration Department at (408) 287-4170 or volunteerlearning@girlscoutsnorcal.org

Q: Are the class sizes limited?
A: Class size is limited by the facility, the type of class and the number of volunteer learning facilitators available. Early registration is advised as classes do fill up! Also, be sure to PLAN AHEAD as some courses are only offered on a limited basis.

Class registration closes one week prior to the class date.

 

Q: Do you have a waitlist for full classes?
A: Yes.  If you are interested in being placed on a waitlist for a course, please email adulteducation@girlscoutsnorcal.org .  You will be notified within 3 days of the course if you are in the class.

Cancellations

 

Q: What if I cannot attend a class I registered for?
A: Please cancel by e-mailing the Volunteer Resources Assistant at adulteducation@girlscoutsnorcal.org  There may be a wait list for the class that you signed up for, so please be considerate of others who would like to take the course by letting us know your space is available.

 

Q: Are classes ever cancelled?
A: Classes may be cancelled due to site problems, insufficient registration or other circumstances. If you registered in advance, you will be notified of cancellations by e-mail or telephone.

NOTE: Insufficient registration often happens because people decide to "drop-in" rather than register in advance. Please REGISTER! Your course may be cancelled if we don't know you're coming!

Class registration closes one week prior to the class date.

 

Cost of Classes

 

Q: Is there any cost associated with classes?
A: Generally, there is no charge. Occasionally, there is a fee to cover items such as food, site or supplies such as Troop Camping Certification classes. First Aid classes have a fee to cover materials and certification costs. All course fees are due at the time of registration and are non-refundable. If you register online, you must pay by credit card at the time of registration on our secure web site. If you do not wish to pay via the internet, please send your check or money order and registration form directly to the council. Please make check payable to the Girl Scouts of Northern California and include the course name in the memo section. Your seat will not be held unless payment is received.

 

Q: If I cannot attend a class that I have already paid for, can I get my money back?
A: Sorry, in general there are no refunds but we will happily transfer the money to a different course. The situations in which we do refund include:

• Training course is full
• Training course is cancelled by the Volunteer Resources Department (minimum number not met, weather conditions prohibitive, trainer illness, etc.) NOTE: Insufficient registration often happens because people decide to "drop-in" rather than register in advance. Please REGISTER!
• Training date/time changed by the Volunteer Resources Department to a time not convenient for participant.

Refund requests must be submitted within 1 week of the course.  Also, for transferring credits to another course, we will need to know which course within 1 month of the cancelled training.

 

Q: I need to take a course that costs money but I don't have the funds. Is there help?
A: Of course! Contact the Volunteer Resources Department at your local council office to ask about scholarship money and financial assistance.

 

Attending Classes

 

Q: Where are the classes?
A: The location will be sent to you in a confirmation e-mail when you register and also appears on the description page after you register on line.

 

Q: Who conducts the class?
A: All trainings are conducted by a corps of volunteer learning facilitators. If you would like to be certified as a Council Learning Facilitator, please contact the Volunteer Resources Director for more information—we’d love to have you!

Q: How can I get the best classroom/InPerson learning experience?
A:

• Arrive ten minutes early for your training courses. Participants who miss course content may not receive credit.
• Come prepared with the materials you were asked to bring.
• Listen attentively.
• Limit use of pagers and cell phones to emergencies only (put on vibrate).
• Appreciate other points of view.
• Ask questions when you don't understand.
• Participate in discussions and activities.
• Please do not bring children. Participants who bring children will be asked to leave the course.
• Encourage others to participate.
• Share examples from your own experience, but keep your contributions focused on the subject.
• Notice if you are doing all the talking and make room for others to share.
• Think about how you will be able to apply the information being presented to your own life.
• Give us feedback by filling out the evaluation at the course or click here.

 

Q: Can my child come with me to class?
A: No. Out of respect for others' learning process and for the safety of your child, please do not bring them. Exceptions can be made for nursing mothers of infants who have no other choice.  Most classes cannot accommodate children, and bringing them may result in asking the participant to leave the class.

Q: What should I bring to training?
A: You will need:

• Council Resource Guide/Volunteer Essentials
• For the Leadership Essentials Course: Your Journey Books (Adult Guide and Girl Book)
• Your dinner if needed
• A full water bottle
• Comfortable clothes appropriate for warm and/or cool conditions
• Also, for certain day-long or overnight classes like camping, a second letter/e-mail will be sent requesting that you bring specific items to class.

 

Other Questions

Q: Where can I find out about what trainings I have taken?
A: Call your Community Development Director or your Volunteer Resources Department for assistance.

Q: I have questions but don't know who to call.
A: Contact the Volunteer Resources Department at your local council office.