Welcome to Adult Learning,
When attending Girl Scout Learning Opportunities, participants will need to bring paper, pens and any Journey or Girl Guide you may already have.  You must register at least one week prior to taking the course.  If registration minimums are not met at this time, the class may cancel. 

Prior to attending Leadership Essentials, you will need to go to our Volunteer-Training page, and at the top of that page you will see the ON-line Orientation & Leadership Essentials along with the required password.  These classes are a pre-requisition to the face-to-face Leadership Essentials you will need before starting troop meetings.  You may have Mother-daughter meetings before that, to schedule troop meetings, get to know each other and divide up jobs.  This is also a good time to let the other parents in the troop know about Adult Learning Opportunities.  All adults are welcome to attend these classes.

Adult Learning Opportunities
The council provides quality sessions delivered by skilled and enthusiastic volunteer facilitators-trainers.  Courses are offered throughout the council from August to May.  Please take advantage of as many as you can.  The classes you take as an adult volunteer will assist you in providing the best experiences for the girls.  You will also make new friends by attending these classes with other volunteers.

General Information
To register for the class of your choice, please use the “Registration Form – Adult Learning Opportunities”.  This form can be found on the Volunteer-Training site, and on the Forms site.
Mail, fax or e-mail the form to:  Terry Blevins, Director of Volunteer Services, 104 West River, Victoria, Tx.  77901.  Most training classes are free of charge, however if fees are required, the form does accommodate a credit card, or you are welcome to visit any of the Girl Scout Service Centers to take care of payment.  Registrations are required 1 week in advance, and late registrations will be taken if space permits. 

Refunds
Refunds are given only in the following instances:
The course is full and cannot accept your registration.
The course is cancelled by the Director of Volunteer Services (minimum number not met, etc)

Getting the most out of your Learning Opportunity

• Arrive on time
• Listen attentively
• Limit you phone calls to break time
• No children please
• View your on-line classes
• Arrive with an open mind, ready to learn and have fun

What classes do I need to take?
Someone from each troop will need to take the face-to-face Leadership Essentials class.
That person will need to be at all troop meetings and attend all troop trips.
Each troop will also need a First Aid-CPR certified person.  This could already be a parent in the troop who is a nurse, doctor, EMT etc.  This person must also be at all troop meetings and troop trips.  Having several parents in the troop with these 2 classes will help tremendously. 

Level Training is a workshop for volunteers who work with the same age level, such as Daisy, Brownie, Junior or Older Girls.  This class will teach you more about the awards and how a troop meeting is conducted. 

Troop Camp Training is required if you wish to take your troop camping, on a cook-out, or a sleep-out.  Troop Dads are usually interested in this class.

The council also offers First Aid-CPR classes throughout the year in various locations.  However if you are already certified or took you class somewhere else, please call the Director of Volunteer Services to see if your class meets our criteria.

The council also provides Volunteer Conferences in the following locations:  Camp Bayview, Camp Green Hill, Laredo & Victoria.  The conferences always offer Troop Camp Training, First Aid-CPR and a variety of Enrichment classes such as Ceremonies, SWAPS & Outdoor Fun.  Older girls (Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors are also welcome to attend Volunteer Conferences. 

No Walk-ins Please
Unregistered participants put a burden on the location, trainers and other participants.  Sometimes there are not enough materials for the walk-ins.  Please let us know that you are attending.   If you are not registered, and the class is cancelled, we cannot let you know. 

Children may not attend
Childcare facilities are not available at any training location.
Learning opportunities are available to all registered adult members and some classes are available to older girls.  (Cadettes, Seniors & Ambassadors)

FEES
Troop Camp Training              $25.00 (unless it is held within a Conference)
First Aid-CPR                            $35.00-$45.00 (depending on the agency teaching)
Volunteer Conferences           $25.00-$35.00 (depending on the site)

The Training Calendar is located on the Volunteer-Training site.  This is a working calendar and changes weekly.  New classes are added and some may cancel.  Please check this site often if you need Learning Opportunities.