Volunteer Scoop: April
4/17/2025
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month
And guess what? April 22nd is Girl Scout Leader’s Day!
Let’s be real — Girl Scouts just wouldn’t be the same (or even possible!) without YOU. Whether you're planning cookie booths, leading hikes, or crafting like a champ, you're the magic that makes it all happen.
From badge-earning brilliance to unstoppable snack time heroics — you’re the real MVPs of the Girl Scout world!
🌟 THANK YOU 🌟 for being the heart of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. The girls are growing, learning, and shining brighter because of everything you do.
Calling all long-time Girl Scout superstars!
As a huge thank-you for your dedication and all the years you’ve poured into supporting our girls, we’re excited to honor you with a special Volunteer Years of Service Pin !
If you’ve been rocking the volunteer game for 5 years or more, it’s time to claim your well-deserved bling!
Just request your pin, and we’ll send it straight to your mailbox — because celebrating YOU should be as easy as earning a badge (okay… maybe easier 😉).
Thank you for being part of this incredible journey. We’re so lucky to have you in the Girl Scout family!
Now Available in the Volunteer Toolkit!
You can now download FREE Badge Booklets straight from the VTK!
These helpful guides are designed to support fun, organized, and engaging troop meetings—whether you’re following meeting plans or creating your own unique Girl Scout adventures.
Just look under each meeting plan in the VTK to grab yours! Make planning easier and more exciting—because you deserve it!
Spring Renewal
Spring Renewal is now through May 31. Don't miss out on the free T-Shirt for all girl and adult members if renewed by April 30!
Visit the Renew Page of our website to find all of the details, including Renewal Guides with step-by-step instructions for troop co-leaders and parents.
New Program Available - Girl Influencer
The Girl Scout Influencer Program lets you share your unique experiences through photos, videos, blogs, and other digital content. It’s an exciting way to hone your digital storytelling skills while showcasing your favorite Girl Scout activities. Whether you love capturing the perfect shot, telling stories through videos, or sharing your Girl Scout experiences, this program provides the tools and platform to help you shine. Plus, it gives you the freedom to prepare, create, and share content like a true influencer.
This program will start with our Spring Into Summer events.
Bridging Guide and Kits
Are your girls bridging to a new level this year? Check out the Bridging Guide for everything you need to know about awards and planning a ceremony! Bridging Kits with the bridge award, certificate, membership star, fun patch, and pencil are available through the GSUSA Online or GSDH Retail Stores.
Did Your Troop Earn the 1912 Club Patch?
Girl Scouts and co-leaders can earn a FREE 1912 Club Patch by completing all ten exciting requirements throughout the year — things like going on a troop field trip and learning a classic Girl Scout tradition.
Review the 1912 Club Patch Program Requirements and complete the 1912 Club Patch Program Survey by June 15. Patches will be mailed to troop co-leaders in August
Don’t miss out on celebrating your troop’s amazing year of adventure and tradition!
Benefits of Attending Summer Camps
Has your troop signed up for summer programs? Girl Scout camp is more than just summer fun—it’s a life-changing experience that helps girls grow in confidence, leadership, and resilience.
• Camp builds important life skills and nurtures positive character
traits.
• Girls unplug from screens and reconnect with nature
and each other.
• Time outdoors is proven to support mental
health, leading to better focus, reduced stress, improved mood, and
even a lower risk of developing mental health conditions. (Source:
Mental Health America)
• The impact of camp lasts far beyond the
summer—97% of Girl Scout camp alums say their experience helped them
improve their outdoor skills.
Give your girls the gift of confidence, connection, and adventure—encourage them to attend Girl Scout camp this year!
Find a camp near you on our Event Page.
Cookies, Corks, & Brews - Rapid City
Join us in Rapid City for a fun night out celebrating Girl Scouts! Tickets are available for our annual fundraiser - Cookies, Corks, & Brews. Scheduled for May 1st, it's sure to be a memorable night with interactive games and delicious desserts. All while supporting a great cause. If you want to attend as a guest or sign up to help at the event, you can read more about it on our website.
Get your CPR/First Aid Certification this Spring!
The Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED blended learning course will prepare you to recognize and care for a variety of first aid, breathing, and cardiac emergencies involving adults, children, and infants. Open to Adult Volunteers, 7th/8th grade Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors. Courses are coming up in Bismarck (5/17), Rapid City (5/31), and Sioux Falls (5/31). View course details, dates, and locations.
To help keep everyone safe, it’s strongly recommended that at least one adult certified in First Aid/CPR accompanies your troop or group to all activities. Some activities require a certified First Aider — so be sure to check the Safety Activity Checkpoints before you go!
Annual Finance Reports
Finance reports are due from each troop and service unit with an open bank account by June 15.
Troop finance reports must be submitted through the Volunteer Toolkit Finance Tab, and service unit finance reports must be submitted through an online form. Follow the steps in the Just in Time: Finance Reports to prepare for and submit the report.
Finance Report Submission Incentives! Every troop and service unit that submits a complete finance report by June 15 will be entered into a drawing for one of five $50.00 payouts for your group!
Reserve a GSDH Property
We welcome you to take your troop camping, get away for a few days, plan a special event, or participate in a team-building experience at a GSDH property. Visit the website to learn about each property, view availability, and make reservations.
Retail Services
Dakota Horizons' retail services offer a variety of ways to shop for badges, uniforms, awards, gifts, specialty items, and more! Find the shopping option that best meets your needs at gsdakotahorizons.org/shop.
