Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania may modify this guidance, from time
to time as circumstances change. This document is intended to help
volunteers determine if they are prepared to hold in person activities
with their troop and elements to consider in planning those activities.
Parent Permission Form
During this time, the COVID-19
Permission Form is replacing the Parent Permission Form. Please
have this form completed by caregivers when you return to in-person
meetings or activities.
Troop Meetings
Updated August 20, 2021
Meeting Locations:
At this time, troops can participate in activities outside the
counties of GSWPA. Outdoor spaces where social distancing can be
maintained are strongly recommended for meetings. Get advance
permission from the property owner or the jurisdiction that provides
the location.
GSWPA will permit troops to meet at private residences/property,
with strict adherence to CDC and state guidelines. To be approved for
this troop meeting option, you must complete an application. A GSWPA staff person will review
the request and notify the applicant of approval or request more information.
Meetings may not be held at fitness centers or gyms where a greater
risk for contracting the virus may exist. Schools or churches may not
permit outside groups on-premises, so always check and confirm ahead
of time.
Meeting Size:
Indoor and outdoor events must follow the current
state gathering limits.
The current suggestion from GSUSA is to keep your group's size as
small as possible to allow for social distancing while maintaining
volunteer-to-girl ratio. Follow all local and CDC restrictions.
If you have a large troop, stay connected while you wait for a safe
time for everyone to gather. Large troops are wonderful, so stay
together! Some ideas:
- Host virtual troop meetings.
- 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. Each group must
maintain volunteer-to-girl ratio.
Mask requirements for indoor and outdoor troop meetings and activities:
- Masks that cover the mouth and nose are required at all times,
regardless of vaccination status.
- Girls and adults may
remove masks for these activities: boating, water fun, riding
horses, climbing, eating, and sleeping.
Please practice social distancing from other people who are not from
your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces and wash hands frequently.
Transportation
Updated July 28, 2021
Individual parents drop off and pick up their own girls from
meetings. Carpooling and public transportation should be avoided, when
possible, to maintain social distancing.
If carpooling is required, all travelers should wear masks and wash
or sanitize their hands before and after traveling. It is recommended
that windows remain open to improve ventilation. See the CDC’s full
guidance on using transportation.
Virtual meetings.
Meeting options may need to be flexible based on the fluid nature of
COVID-19 risk. Troops that can run online meetings as needed (or
wanted) should do so. GSUSA recommends continuing occasional virtual
meetings to keep tech skills and virtual meeting habits fresh. Virtual
meetings are also a great alternative for inclement weather. Use the
Safety Activity Checkpoints for Virtual Meetings
to guide your meeting plans.
Other helpful resources can be found here.
Day trips and activities
Updated May 3, 2020
Troop activities and day trips are now permitted beyond the counties
of GSWPA, including out-of-state travel. In conjunction with Safety
Activity Checkpoints, follow the same guidance as the Troop Meetings
and Hygiene
and the COVID-19 Risk Mitigation guidance. Call ahead to the
facility or vendor to confirm that they are following CDC and state
health department guidelines. If activity or sporting equipment is
being provided, ask the provider if they wipe down equipment in
between uses, similar to equipment at the gym. Make whatever
appropriate accommodations that are necessary. For example, bring
extra sanitizer if none will be provided for public use at the
activity location.
