Frequently Asked Questions about Training

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

Questions:

Answers:

Who conducts the training?

All trainings are conducted by a corps of volunteer trainers. Our volunteer trainers work tirelessly at providing classes for their fellow volunteers. If you would like to be certified as a council trainer, please click here for more information.

What should I bring to training?

You will need:

    • The age-level leader handbook
    • Safety-Wise
    • GSLE Leader Resource Manual, available in your troop packet or on council website
    • A full water bottle
    • Comfortable clothes appropriate for warm and/or cool conditions

Also, for equipment heavy classes like OLS, a confirmation letter/email will be sent requesting you bring specific items to class. A typical OLS gear list includes items such as:

    • Assigned menu Item (included in confirmation letter)
    • Sharp knife, fork and spoon (labeled with your name)
    • Drinking mug with a handle (labeled with your name)
    • Poncho or rain gear (just in case . . .)
    • Bandana (2 or 3)
    • Folding chair/patio chair
    • Compass
    • Mess kit or durable plate, bowl, cup and utensils
    • Dunk bag if possible (net bag to aid in dishwashing)
    • Pocket knife with foldable blade
    • Water bottle
    • Safety-Wise; available at the council shop
    • GSLE Leader Resource Manual; available in your troop packet or on council website
    • Pocket Stew Cookbook; available at the council shop
    • Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting; available at the council shop

I can't make it to a class. Can I take an online/home study course through the web?

At this time, we do not offer online or home study courses.

The ideal way for you to take training is in a classroom with others like yourself. You will benefit from their questions and having your questions answered. Additionally, you will benefit from networking and having a caring instructor for support. You and the girls’ happiness are definitely worth the extra time.

What if I cannot find a training to attend?

Please PLAN AHEAD at the beginning of the year. Some courses are only offered at certain times of the year. We strongly encourage you to take the course in person as the majority of learning is done through the interaction with fellow classmates.


NOTE: Additional classes are added often to the training schedule. If you can't find a class today, you might find one tomorrow.

How do I register for a class?

Click here for detailed instructions on registering either online or through the mail or fax.

How will I know if I have been accepted into the course?

When you register you will receive a course confirmation letter by mail. Please look for the confirmation to arrive two weeks prior to the course.

I didn't get my confirmation; am I in the class?

You may not receive a confirmation for several reasons. Since the hurricane the postal mail is still having difficulties distributing mail in certain areas. Registering without providing a sufficient mail address (example leaving off apt # or lot#, zip codes, etc.) and/or not providing a contact phone number or email address so you can be contacted for the needed information may be the reason. Also, if you register on or before the deadline date you may not receive your confirmation before your class. For verbal confirmation, contact the Training Department at (225) 927-8946.

To find out where the training is located, check the course description in the Training Schedule.

What if I cannot attend a class I registered for?

You may cancel by emailing the Adult Development Director. There may be a wait list for the class that you signed up for, please be considerate of others who would like to take the course by letting us know your space is available.

Do classes ever cancel?

Classes may be canceled due to weather, site problems, insufficient registration or other circumstances. If you registered in advance, you will be notified of cancellations by email, mail or telephone. Cancellations will be posted in the online training schedule.

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

Do you have a waitlist for full classes?
Yes! When you register you will be notified that the class is full and put on a waitlist. Should a seat become available, we'll give you a call.

Is there any cost associated with trainings?
Generally, there is no charge. Occasionally, there is a fee to cover items such as food or craft supplies. Health and safety classes have a small fee to cover materials and certification costs. All course fees are due at the time of registration. If you register online, you must pay by credit card at the time of registration. If you do not want to pay via the internet, please send your check or money order and registration form directly to the council. Please make check payable to “Girl Scouts” and include the course name in the memo section. Your seat will not be held unless payment is received.

If I cannot attend a class that I have already paid for, can I get my money back?
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 money include:

    • Training course is full
    • Training course is cancelled by the Training 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 Training Department to a time not convenient for participant.

I need to take a course that costs money but I don't have the funds. Is there help?

Unfortunately there is no financial assistance for training classes due to the small fee amount associated with the courses.

Where are the trainings?

The location of all the trainings can be found online in the description section for each class. The location will also be sent to you in a confirmation email or letter.

Are the class sizes limited?

Class size is limited by the facility, the type of class and the number of trainers 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.

Our troop/group would like to take our trainings together. Can we have a trainer come to us?

Our trainers are volunteers also, and out of respect for them, we try not to over-extend their obligations. To meet the need, we ask each trainer to commit to teaching at least four council-wide trainings a year. There are trainings offered in the school year and in the summer, so each volunteer needing training should be able to find one that works with their schedule. Because we are unable to meet the request for individualized training, we ask that your group register for a published date listed in the training schedule.

I have questions but don't know who to call.

Training Department
(225) 927-8946
or email the Adult Development Director

    • Training registration questions
    • Training schedule questions
    • Training requirements
    • Becoming a trainer

Can I earn a patch for attending training?

There are no official patches for attending or completing training.

Can my child come with me to training?

Children are not allowed to attend training. Out of respect for other's learning process and for the safety of your child, because of this you will be asked to leave and reschedule your training at a later date.

Where can I find out about what trainings I have taken?

Due to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 many of our training records were lost. This is an important reason to keep track of your training via your training record card. When you register for a training session it is recorded on your personal data record. The information that is recorded includes: training title, training date, attendance/absence, and paid/unpaid. You may find out your training history by emailing the Training Department.

Are courses from other councils transferable?

Sometimes trainings from other councils are transferable if they are equivalent. You will need to consult with the Adult Development Director and provide a copy of your training record listing the name of the council in which the course was taken, a contact at the council if you have one, the name of the course, and a brief description of the course content. The Adult Development Director will contact the council to verify your enrollment and the content of the course. Allow for three weeks for confirmation of class equivalence.

I have moved. Can I get a copy of my training records?

Of course you can. All you need to do is email the Adult Development Department with your contact information and the contact information of the staff member requesting your records from your new council and we will mail/fax your record. Please allow 5 - 10 business days to process your request depending on time of year.

Do I have to be trained if I am not a troop leader but want to work with girls?

It is the policy of the Girl Scouts Louisiana East council that all volunteers with primary responsibility for working with girls be trained for the position they will assume or have assumed.

If I am an experienced leader changing age levels do I need training?

Once you have completed Orientation and Module I – Basics of Girl Scouts, you must take the Age Level Girl Scout leadership Training for your new age level. You should take this course within 30 - 60 days of your first meeting with the girls at the new age level.

I am the co-leader (or troop helper) so can I just take the Age Level class?

You must follow the same series of trainings as the primary leader: Orientation, Module I – Basics of Girl Scouts, and Module II – Age Level training. You will have a greater understanding of the Girl Scout program as you are provided first with generalized information and then more specific information to apply to that foundation.

We are an Outreach group; do we need to take training?

If each adult will have, at some point, primary responsibility for the girls, even if for only one meeting, then yes. You will find that a trained adult leadership team is going to have a more smoothly running troop experience and are more likely to stay together.
Outreach training is offered by the Membership Department. This can be a valuable training for tips on managing an Outreach group. Contact the Outreach Director at (504) 733-8220.

I have already done day camp training; can I test out of Outdoor Training?

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.