Coronavirus Updates
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

Girl Scouts River Valleys

Updates

See All Camp Updates

 

Girl Scouts River Valleys has cancelled the following:

  • All Girl Scouts River Valleys in-person program events scheduled for the month of June
  • All Girl Scouts River Valleys facility rentals through August 31
  • All Girl Scouts River Valleys summer camp programming, including:
    • Resident camp
    • Family camp
    • Troop camp
    • Edith Mayo day camp
    • Volunteer-led day camp
    • Mentored Troop day camp
    • ConnectZ camp
    • Bike Club

The 2020 Highest Award Ceremonies scheduled for June 7th (in St. Paul) and June 14th (in Mankato) will no longer be held in-person. This will transition to a virtual event.

The following continues to be suspended until further notice:

  • All Girl Scouts River Valleys shops, service centers, and camps are closed to visitors.
  • All in-person Girl Scout activities, including Service Unit events and troop meetings.

A Letter to our Members | May 7

A Letter to our Members | April 22

A Letter to our Members | March 26

A Letter to our Members | March 18

A Letter to our Members | March 15

A Letter to our Members | March 12

 

All Updates by Category

Camp

Safety is our highest concern. Due to the high volume of campers we serve, the frequency at which new campers arrive and depart, and the communal nature of camp, with shared dining, sleeping, and bathroom facilities, we cannot adequately ensure camper and staff health and safety this summer. Our camp calendar was created for pre-COVID-19 conditions, and we cannot safety operate that schedule this summer. 

We know any cancellation or closure of camps will be heartbreaking for girls. It is for us too. Full refunds will be provided; cookie credits and camp coupon expiration dates have already been extended.  Learn more about Summer Adventures!

Camp Cancellation FAQs

Q. Why make the decision now?

Some other camps have decided to wait until July to make the call on their July and August camp sessions. We considered this option, but after carefully reviewing all factors and recommendations, we don’t think it will be possible to operate camp safely as intended even later in the summer.

Q. How will I receive my camp refund? Do I need to do anything?

Refunds will be processed in the same form as original payment was received. Payments made by credit card will be returned to the original credit card. Payments made by submitting cookie credits or fall funds will be returned via mail. Refunds will take approximately eight weeks to process, depending on any local restrictions in place.

Q. I purchased a camp care package for the 2020 camp season, what happens now?

Retail Services will be reaching out to those that ordered a care package. We will be giving the option of a refund or we can offer free shipping and send the care package directly to the girl after the Stay at Home order is lifted.

Q. My girl earned lots of cookie credits/a camp coupon this cookie season, what happens now that camp is cancelled?

  • Full camp payments will be refunded.
  • Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Cookie Credits expiration date is extended by one year. 2020 Cookie Credits will expire on September 15, 2022.
  • The 2020 half-off camp coupon and 2020 free camp coupon cookie rewards have been extended for use during the 2021 camp season. The 2020 coupon expiration dates have been extended by one year (expires August 31, 2021).
  • 2019 cookie credits and fall funds that were submitted for a 2020 camp session payment will be refunded and will expire on September 15, 2021.
Summer Adventures 2020 (a.k.a. Virtual Camp)

Campers will create, challenge themselves, discover, and reflect as they keep their camp spirit alive in this virtual camp opportunity. Our Summer Adventure week-long sessions offer three hours of virtual camp per day, Monday through Friday. Programming includes a mix of all-camp as well as small group virtual activities–including a virtual camp-in/out on Thursday night! Led by Girl Scouts River Valley experienced program staff and camp directors, girls will connect with familiar faces and make new friends in this guided summer experience. Learn more about Summer Adventures!

Summer Adventure (Virtual Camp) FAQs

Q. How can I pay for camp with cookie credits?

Families who want to pay for virtual camp with cookie credits need to pay for their session in full with a credit card and then mail in cookie credits to be reimbursed. Cookie Credits should be sent to our Saint Paul Service Center with their girls camp registration order number included. Please note that this is a temporary exception to our cookie credit policy (which normally does not allow for reimbursement).

Q. Is financial assistance available for these sessions?

Families can request financial assistance to cover the cost of one virtual camp session. Virtual Camp costs will be covered at 100% for single sessions and cannot be applied to the Summer Adventure Subscription. If you apply for financial assistance, you do not also need to register for the camp session; your registration will be completed by our staff on your behalf.

Q. Can I transfer my in-person camp payment to a virtual session?

No. We are unable to transfer payments from an in-person session to a virtual session at this time. If you registered for an in-person session, your refund with be processed in full and returned to you within 8 weeks. Registration payment for virtual camp must be made in full at the time of registration.

Q. Can I cancel my session and receive a refund? Can I transfer my registration to another session?

Virtual camp sessions follow the same refund and cancellation policy as other River Valleys camp and events. You can cancel your session and receive a refund if requested 30 days prior to the session start date. You may transfer your registration to another session if the request is received 30 days prior to the session’s start date and the new session you’d like to attend hasn’t yet reached its registration deadline.

Camp sessions that begin in fewer than 30 days are non-refundable and non-transferable per our 30-day cancellation policy.

Events
  • All in-person council-sponsored program events scheduled through June 30 are cancelled.
  • Find a listing of upcoming virtual events on our Events page. Be sure to check this list regularly as we continue to add more virtual events.
  • We transformed our 2020 Women of Distinction fundraiser into a virtual event. Learn more.

We will provide more details as they are available. Our staff will be working remotely, and available to answer your calls and questions. You can reach us at 800-845-0787 or girlscouts@girlscoutsrv.org.

Service Unit and Troop Activities
  • In-person troop meetings, service unit events, and service unit meetings are suspended or should transition to virtual meetings.
  • Visit our Girl Scouts At Home page for tips, resources and activities for holding a virtual troop meeting.
  • Check out In the Loop, a helpful blog for volunteers.

These measures are in effect until further notice. We will provide more details as they are available. Our staff will be working remotely, and available to answer your calls and questions. You can reach us at 800-845-0787 or girlscouts@girlscoutsrv.org.

Cookies

Updated as of April 22, 12:00 pm (CST)

Thank you for your patience as Girl Scouts River Valleys staff worked through the details of the Cookie Program during this unprecedented time. Your grace, understanding, and positive messages have meant so much to us as we navigate through these waters together.

The Cookie Program ended on April 12. An email has been sent to our troop cookie volunteers detailing the four steps of the cookie return process.

  • If you are a troop cookie volunteer that did not receive the email, you can view the communication linked below.
  • You can also find the details in our Cookie Press blog post.
  • If you are the parent/guardian of a Girl Scout, connect please with your troop leader or Cookie Manager to learn about your troop-specific details.

A Letter to our Cookie Volunteers | March 15

A Letter to our Cookie Volunteers | March 13

Shop

Girl Scouts River Valleys has many shop locations scattered throughout Minnesota.

Beginning June 9, select locations will be available for curbside pick-up orders by appointment only. Our online store is open 24/7. 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.

Curbside Pick-Up

Email the completed Curbside Pick-Up Order Form (PDF) to retailservices@girlscoutsrv.org. The retail services team will contact you to process your payment and schedule a pickup time. Please allow up to 48 hours from receipt of your order for processing.

Visit our Shop page for more information.

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

Facilities

The following closures are in effect until further notice:

  • The Girl Scout Shops are closed.
  • Our service centers and camps are closed to visitors.
  • Facility rentals scheduled through August 31 are cancelled.

We will provide more details as they are available. Our staff will be working remotely, and available to answer your calls and questions. You can reach us at 800-845-0787 or girlscouts@girlscoutsrv.org.

Highest Awards

Proposal deadlines for 8th and 12th graders have been extended from May 1st, 2020 to August 1st, 2020. Final Report deadlines for 5th, 8th and 12th graders have been extended from September 30th, 2020 to December 31st, 2020.  Due to remote staff work, please submit all Highest Awards paperwork by email and not by mail.

We will offer a virtual Highest Awards ceremony in June and those who were scheduled to receive an award this year are invited to participate in next year’s ceremony. 

We will provide more details as they are available. Our staff will be working remotely, and available to answer your calls and questions. You can reach us at 800-845-0787 or girlscouts@girlscoutsrv.org.

Highest Awards FAQ

Q. Are the 2020 Highest Award Ceremonies cancelled?

The 2020 Highest Award Ceremonies originally scheduled for June 7 (in St. Paul) and June 14 (in Mankato) will no longer be held in-person. Instead we plan to hold a virtual event on Sunday, June 7 at 2 p.m. to honor award recipients. We will also be inviting all of this years’ award recipients to join our in-person ceremony in Spring of 2021 to be recognized for their great accomplishments.

General Travel

Avoiding non-essential airline travel is one step that we can all take to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Many businesses and nonprofit organizations, including Girl Scouts of the USA and our local council, have restricted airline business travel for employees in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

 

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.

 

Still have questions? Contact us.

 

Girl Scouts at Home; Badge activities, virtual programming, and more!
Girl Scouts at Home; Badge activities, virtual programming, and more!
View In the Loop Blog, a helpful resource for troop leaders.
View In the Loop Blog, a helpful resource for troop leaders.