side menu icon
covid-news-header_v4

COVID News & Resources

5/28/2021: Girl Scouts River Valleys has updated our In-Person Girl Scout Activity Guidance after reviewing the most recent COVID-19 guidance from the Center for Disease Control, the Minnesota Department of Health, and American Camping Association. Much of the guidance has been relaxed, however for the safety of our Girl Scouts, volunteers, and families, and due to the wide range of communities Girl Scouts River Valleys serves, some of the guidance remains firmer than current federal or state requirements.

Requirements for outdoor group size, outdoor masking, and sharing/sanitization of supplies and surfaces have been relaxed. Indoor size limits remain at 25 people.

Please see email to volunteers for a summary of the changes and refer to the In-Person Girl Scout Activity Guidance for details.

This new guidance is considered “summer guidance,” and may be relaxed further in the coming months and into the fall if circumstances of the pandemic continue to improve. As always, if you are more comfortable with smaller group sizes and additional masking, troop leaders and volunteer-led day camp, event, and activity planners are welcome to use previous requirements as a guide. We ask that participating girls and families respect those plans.

Check this page regularly for the most current COVID news and updates related to Girl Scout activities, program events, facilities, shops, and camps.

Girl Scouts River Valleys in-person activity guidance has been put in place for the safety and well-being of its members, and was developed using state and local directives for public spaces and youth activities across its jurisdiction.

Any time you are in a gathering with other people, you are putting yourself and others at risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. COVID-19 can lead to serious medical conditions and even death for people of all ages. We cannot predict who will become severely ill, although we know that older people and people with underlying health conditions are at higher risk. We do not yet know what the long-term effects of COVID-19 are; even people with mild cases may experience long-term complications. People with symptoms and without symptoms can spread COVID-19. The masking, distancing, and other guidance provided here is intended to reduce the risk of transmission, but does not eliminate it.

 

Updates by Category

Council Events
  • Find a listing of upcoming virtual and in-person events on our Events page. Be sure to check this list regularly as we continue to add more events.
  • If you are planning a service unit or troop event, read the In-Person Girl Scout Activity Guidance prior to planning your event.
Service Unit and Troop Activities

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. Read our In-Person Girl Scout Activities Guidance and Planning Your Troop Year: 2020 Style volunteer blog posts for additional guidance.

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.

Cookies

The 2021 Cookie Program has ended. Thank you to everyone who participated. Check back in the fall for next year’s sale dates.

Shop

Girl Scouts River Valleys has shop locations throughout Minnesota which currently offer a variety of shopping options.

Online

Our online store is fast, easy, secure, and orders typically ship within five business days. For additional shop resources, discounts, and special items, visit GirlScoutsRV.org/Shop.

In-Store

In-store shopping without appointments is available. Please view shop locations and hours prior to your visit.

Contactless Pick-Up

You can also order items for contactless pick-up by using the Contactless Pick-Up Order Form.

Our staff is available to answer your calls and questions. You can reach us at 800-845-0787 or girlscouts@girlscoutsrv.org.

Facilities

  • Our service centers, and camps are closed to visitors, with the exception of our shop locations.

  • Overnight facility rentals are available to families and their households through March 31, 2021. Daytime troop and service unit meeting reservations are allowed upon request. For rental inquiries, please contact us at 800-845-0787.

  • Due to staffing constraints caused by the pandemic, our responses to rental inquiries may take up to five business days. We appreciate your patience.

  • All reservations are subject to change based on evolving Girl Scouts River Valleys COVID guidelines.

  • Troop overnight tent camping will be available at select locations through August 2021. View amenity details and then to request an available rental space you must complete the Member Rental Inquiry Form which will be processed in the order received.

  • Two-hour free meeting spaces for troops and service units are available. View Options and then to request space, complete the Member Rental Inquiry Form .

  • For best service, place your request at least ten business days before your event date.

  • All meetings or events must comply with the in-person activity guidance and Equipment Access & Disinfecting Requirements.

Highest Awards

Silver and Gold Award Girl Scouts can RSVP for the virtual 2022 Silver and Gold Award Recognition Ceremony event (sponsored by Wells Fargo) on Sunday, June 13 at 2:00 PM via Zoom and Facebook live. If you would like to be recognized in the virtual ceremony, please fill out the RSVP form. Girls who do not RSVP for the event will not be included in the online ceremony. All Girl Scouts who earned their Silver or Gold Award this year will be featured in the electronic program booklet that will be sent via email.

Travel & Overnight Stays

Travel and overnight activities come in a wide variety of formats. Review the below requirements regarding Girl Scouts River Valleys travel at this time. As always, complete the Travel Request Form before planning any extended overnight stays and follow guidance in Safety Activity Checkpoints.

Tent/Outdoor Camping:

Outdoor/tent overnights are allowed, but for individual troops only, with one household per tent. Overnights are not allowed for larger events run by volunteers (day camps, encampments, program events). Troops and groups must follow all guidance as outlined in the In-Person Girl Scout Activity Guidance (PDF).

Indoor Overnights:

No indoor overnights allowed except as a council-approved, multi-night travel trip.

Extended Travel:

  • U.S. Travel – Troop, group, and Juliette travel will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis. Troops and groups should proceed cautiously with travel plans and consider current Centers for Disease Control (CDC), group size, family expectations, destination, and safety plans. The Travel Request Form is required for all Girl Scout travel. Girl Scouts River Valleys staff will work with each troop/group to discuss your trip final details and COVID-19 travel safety plan to determine trip approval. Troops and groups must recognize that the COVID-19 risk is fluid, and contingencies for rescheduling and pivoting should be in place for last minute changes.

  • International Travel – Troop and group international trips are not allowed at this time. Girl Scouts River Valleys will follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) travel guidelines. Girl Scouts cannot participate in international trips until the travel health notice is at a level 1 or level 2 for their trip destination.

 

Additional Support

 

Be a Source of Comfort and Calm

Girl Scouts of the USA has developed a helpful resource for How to Talk to Your Girl About Coronavirus and Help Kids Cope with Disappointment in the Face of COVID-19 to help minimize stress and worry in your Girl Scout’s life and give her a sense of calm and control.

Thank you for your help in keeping Girl Scouts a safe, fun space for everyone! If you have questions about how the coronavirus may impact Girl Scout activities, please contact us.

Be Prepared and Minimize Risk

The CDC has shared the following things you can do to minimize your risk of contracting any virus:

  • Stay home when you are not feeling well.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Girl Scouts are a Force for Good

Girl Scouts is leading as we have always done, as a force for good in the world. We can be an inspiration to others as we all live through this difficult time, and we can be sisters to every Girl Scout—especially those who are hardest hit by the disruptions of this pandemic, and our Asian American friends and colleagues unfairly treated and targeted by xenophobia and racism.

We will find ways to continue to stay connected, participate, and contribute, as we do the right thing for our community and our country. We will be Girl Scouts and we will help and lead. You should be proud of your membership in the only movement in the world that is by girls, for girls, and includes all girls.

main-ntl-recruitment-slider-mobile
main-ntl-recruitment-slider-mobile
View In the Loop Blog, a helpful resource for troop leaders.
View In the Loop Blog, a helpful resource for troop leaders.
Girl Scouts @ Home Patch Program
Girl Scouts @ Home Patch Program