As we continue to navigate our “next normal” this summer and begin to think about the fall, Girl Scouts River Valleys has developed in-person meeting, travel and activity guidance for troops and service units. We understand that allowing in-person meetings and events to resume may bring up many emotions. Some may feel excited and ready to get back together, while others may not feel as ready, but we empower you to connect with your families and volunteers to decide what is best for you and your group.
Q. Do we need to wear masks?
In accordance with Minnesota and Wisconsin mask mandates, masks are required at all indoor Girl Scout activities and strongly encouraged at all outdoor Girl Scout activities to protect yourself and others. Participants can bring their own face coverings and troops or event planners are encouraged to have disposable masks on hand for those who need them.
Here’s a simple Fabric Mask Tutorial (PDF) created by a Girl Scout volunteer.
Volunteers or event hosts should also teach girls how to handle their face coverings so that the coverings are effective.
Q. How can we help girls with special needs who cannot wear a mask?
Some girls or volunteers may not be able to wear masks, due to medical conditions such as asthma, and this is allowed. In addition, participants/children should only wear cloth face coverings if they can reliably wear, remove, and handle the cloth face covering throughout their in-person activity.
Q. What happens if a girl/parents refuses to wear a mask?
Individual troops/groups may choose to require masks based on their troop needs. If the city, state, or meeting location requires masks, they must be worn. If a girl or a parent is not willing to wear a mask, they should not attend that particular gathering.
Q. Are there guidelines for social distancing if meeting in person?
Yes, outdoor spaces where 6 feet social distancing can be maintained are strongly recommended for meetings. Keep safety a top priority when selecting your meeting location. Get advance permission from the property owner or the jurisdiction that provides the location.
Hugs, handshakes, “high-fives,” and even activities like the friendship circle or squeeze can transmit COVID-19 from person to person. Refrain from these gestures for the time being. Create a safe way for girls and volunteers to greet and end meetings instead.
Q. What restrictions will there be around the amount of people we can have at each event/troop meeting?
Indoor meetings and activities can be no larger than 10 people (eight girls and two unrelated adult volunteers).
The maximum for outdoor meetings and gatherings is 25 people including the required adult or volunteer ratio.
Outdoor meetings are strongly encouraged (weather permitting). If local guidelines are more restrictive, follow the local restriction. Continue to utilize all social distancing practices and follow all preventive guidance (such as face coverings).
If you have a large troop, stay connected in other ways while you wait for a safe time for everyone to gather. Large troops are wonderful, so stay together! Some ideas:
- Host virtual troop meetings or engage in other ways, such as mailing materials or pen pals.
- Gather up in smaller groups—such as age-level groups, patrols, or groups of girls with a particular badge they’d like to work on.
Q. Will there be a health checklist for all those attending a meeting or event?
Yes, families will be asked to do a self-administered health check at home before the meeting. See COVID-19 Family Agreement (PDF).
Q. Will we be given guidelines and supplies on sanitizing our meetings before and after?
Yes, routinely clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched (i.e., table tops, markers, scissors, etc.). Use a household cleaner or see the EPA’s list of effective cleaners approved for use against COVID-19. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).
See In-Person Girl Scout Activity Guidance (PDF) for more information on cleaning meeting spaces and a handy guide to cleaning agents (PDF)
Q. Will shared troop meeting supplies need to be individualized for each girl instead of shared use?
At all in-person gatherings, try to limit supplies that need to be shared. Activity supplies should not be shared between girls if possible. As an alternative, supplies may be brought from home.
Q. Are there guidelines for snacks at meetings?
Snacks should be limited to pre-packaged, individual serving size which can be safely distributed without cross contamination.
Q. Are in-home meetings permitted?
Meetings or activities should not take place in the home out of concern that there would be greater risk of exposure to other family members and increased risk of homeowner liability. Our strong recommendation is to refrain from in-home meetings.
Q. Will there be some sort of assistance to help troops secure a meeting space?
At this time we are not able to offer assistance with this. There are several online platforms that you can use to meet, including Zoom and Google hangouts. Your Service Unit Manager or team may have also have ideas for you on how to meet in your community.
Q. If a family has been exposed to COVID-19 or someone in their household tests positive will they be required to contact the troop leader to inform rest of the families?
If your Girl Scout receives a positive test result within 14 days of participating in an in-person activity, please report this to Girl Scouts River Valleys at 1-800-845-0787. Staff will contact the families of anyone who may have been exposed during the activity. All information will remain confidential.
Q. How will Girl Scouts River Valleys notify those who may have been in contact with an infected person?
Families will be notified by phone, email, or both by our Volunteer Relations Manager. All communications will be kept as private and confidential as possible.
Q. What if a girl wants to ride/drive with another girl to an event?
Carpooling should be avoided, where possible, to maintain social distancing.
Q. How do you include a girl who is high risk that can't attend in person troop meetings?
Clear communication with all families, flexibility, and support are the key to keeping girls included even when COVID makes that difficult. Consider continuing virtual meetings, supplementing with other distance activities (such as mailing meeting supplies, setting up pen pals, texts, emails or social channels) and making sure there’s a mix of in-person and distance experiences.
Tips for engaging families who have opted out of in-person meetings
- Consider various ways to ensure all girls are engaged and connected.
- Offer a virtual and/or call-in option.
- Send meeting activities ahead of time for families to do it themselves (via email, mail or drop-off/pick-up).
- Follow-up with families that aren't able to join so that girls can still stay connected with troop leaders, do some reflection or share photos so the girls can see what they all did.
Seek out ideas from other troop leaders and volunteers, or as always, contact River Valleys at 800-845-0787 if you’d like assistance.
Q. Where can I got to get information on state and federal guidelines for COVID-19?
Q. Will you require “COVID” Parent Agreements?
Parent agreements are not required, but are recommended and provided as a resource for starting the conversations with your families. The COVID-19 Family Agreement (PDF) can be kept or shared among your troop, but are not required to be sent to River Valleys.
Q. How can we educate girls about social distancing?
Girl Scouts River Valleys has some great tips on talking to your girls about COVID safety in our First Meeting Plan (PDF).
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) also has recommendations to help adults have conversations with children about COVID-19 and ways they can avoid getting and spreading the disease.
Q. Can my troop or group attend a local town event if we (in our group) are following guidelines?
This is not recommended, due to the potentially larger numbers than our guidance requires and the fact that Girl Scouts does not control the location, spacing, and cleaning/sanitation of the event. However, it is not prohibited, provided your Girl Scout group maintains all Girl Scouts Guidance within the activities you partake in, and parents/guardians have approved that their girl participates.
Q. How can I protect my child from COVID-19 infection?
Following this guidance will not prevent you from catching or spreading COVID-19. You can encourage your child to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by teaching them to do the same things everyone should do to stay healthy.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and throw the tissue in the trash.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects, like tables, countertops, light switches, doorknobs, and cabinet handles).
Read How to Protect Yourself & Others and How COVID-19 Spreads for additional information on preventing COVID-19 .
These guidelines are subject to change depending on local and state regulations are in line with state and the Center for Disease Control’s recommendations. However, these will not fully prevent or guarantee that Girl Scout members will avoid contracting COVID-19. If you have further questions on in person meetings. You can reach us at 800-845-0787 or girlscouts@girlscoutsrv.org.
