Know How Much You Are Appreciated
What begins with Girl Scouts speaking up at a troop meeting can go all the way to speaking in front of their city council for a cause they champion—and they’ll have your support to thank for it. Your volunteer role makes a powerful difference: Girl Scouts wouldn’t exist without volunteers like you. And your first step as a troop leader may lead you to other volunteer opportunities once this year is over.
We’ll say it again: without our passionate and dedicated volunteers, there would be no Girl Scouting. That’s why we celebrate National Volunteer Month every April (including National Volunteer Week the third week of that month) and turn up the party as we ring in National Girl Scout Leader’s Day on April 22.
What can we say? We love our volunteers!
Additional Resources and Support
We know volunteering isn't always easy, especially when you?re new to an organization, so we can't thank you enough for giving your time and energy to be the mentor and role model your troop needs. Guiding your Girl Scouts—even if you're still figuring things out—is nothing short of amazing.
The important thing to remember is you're not alone. We're in this with you, ready to help and support you every step of the way. Thanks again! It's going to be a great Girl Scout year!
As of February 2026, South Carolina is experiencing a large, ongoing outbreak of measles with hundreds of cases, primarily in Upstate regions.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness spread through coughing, sneezing, or being in the same airspace as an infected person. The virus can remain in the air for up to two hours after the person leaves.
What are the symptoms?
- High fever
- Cough, runny nose, red/watery eyes
- Rash that begins on the face and spreads downward (typically appears 2–4 days after symptoms start)
What should leaders and volunteers do during this time?
We are linking Measles & Vaccine FAQs & Best Practices for Troop Meetings and Events, created using CDC and South Carolina Department of Public Health guidance. Please take a few minutes to review the document and use it as a resource while planning meetings, overnights, and any upcoming troop activities.
This guide includes:
- A quick overview of measles symptoms and transmission
- Current outbreak context in South Carolina
- Best practices for troop meetings, overnights, and multitroop events
- Guidance for supporting immune-compromised Girl Scouts
- What to do if a girl or volunteer becomes sick during a meeting
- Reminders about health history forms and family communication
Please keep this document handy and refer to it as needed. You are welcome to share key points with families and use the content to inform any troop‑level communication.
If you have questions or need additional support in planning safe troop activities, we’re here to help. Contact us at 1-800-849-GIRL or customercare@gssc-mm.org. Thank you for your continued leadership and for creating supportive spaces for every Girl Scout!
© Copyright 2009–2026 Girl Scouts of the United States of America. All rights reserved. All information and material contained in Girl Scouts’ Volunteer Essentials guide (“Material”) is provided by Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) and is intended to be educational material solely to be used by Girl Scout volunteers and council staff. Reproduction, distribution, compiling, or creating derivative works of any portion of the Material or any use other than noncommercial uses as permitted by copyright law is prohibited, unless explicit, prior authorization by GSUSA in writing was granted. GSUSA reserves its exclusive right in its sole discretion to alter, limit, or discontinue the Material at any time without notice.
