Steps

• Registered Girl Scout, Grades 7 – 12
• Register, attend and complete Program Aide Core training
  (6 hours).
• Register, attend, and complete a Program Aide Specialty
  (4 hours) to gain expertise in different fields of interest. Girl may now purchase and wear the Program Aide Pin. · Select an area to share your skills as a volunteer, either in a troop/group setting or a service unit or Council event.
• With the help of your troop leader and service unit manager, secure a mentor/adult volunteer supervisor.
• Volunteer directly with a troop/group or become involved in special events for 25 hours to enhance your leadership skills while earning the GSUSA Program Aide Patch. Girls may now purchase and wear Program Aide Patch.

Training

Core training

• 6 hours in length.
• Develops basic leadership skills and basis for working with younger girls.
• Offered regularly by trained volunteers and staff through the Council Program Department.
• OR Program Aide Core Training Resource Kit available for checkout from the Program Department for troops/groups to earn the core training in a local setting.

Program Aide Specialty trainings

A four hour training approved by the GSSJC Program Department’s Girl Leadership Project Team where girls become proficient in a particular skill or activity. Fields of interest to girls include songs and games, day camp, arts and crafts, outdoor cooking and outdoor skills. A girl may complete more than one specialty training.

Internship

• Program Aide may work with Daisy, Brownie, or Junior Girl Scout program levels.
• A Program Aide volunteers for 25 hours preparing activities and working directly with girls in a troop/group setting or with adults planning a service area/Council event.

Responsibilities

• Regular, mutually convenient planning meetings with mentor to insure candidate is integrated to present information she is an expert on, her specialty area(s)
• Attend meetings of assigned troop/group/event
• Maintain the Program Aide Training Record Card and Log of Leadership/Service Hours
• Create an activity file/notebook of ideas for use for future programming
• Develop lesson plans to train younger girls in specialty skills
• Arrange for transportation and attend meetings/events
• Notify leader if unable to attend due to emergency or extenuating circumstances.
• Provide leader/mentor with signed permission slip(s) (F-204) and medical form (F-185)
• Following completion of the 25 hours of service complete:
  • the Program Aide Log of Leadership/Service Hours, signed by leader with whom you worked. Attach to evaluation form.
  • the Girl Evaluation of Leadership Project, attach log and turn in when you purchase the GSUSA Program Aide patch at a Council Girl Scout Shop.
• 
  w keep a copy of all submitted materials with your own Girl Scout records.

Recognitions

GSUSA Program Aide Pin
GSUSA Program Aide Patch

A girl earns only one Program Aide pin/patch at each program level, Cadette or Senior.

Additional hours served may be used towards other earned awards’ leadership or service requirements.