Last updated June 28, 2021
COVID-19 is an extremely contagious virus that spreads easily in the community. Please take all reasonable precautions to limit potential exposure for girls, volunteers, staff, and families.
The response to the pandemic continues to change as infection rates rise and fall in different areas. This information will continue to be updated as local and national directives change.
Our customer care team is available for questions Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-noon, via phone 800-248-3355, email at customercare@gswpa.org, or by completing our online form.
All council offices are closed to the public until further notice. Our staff is working remotely and available to support you Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-noon, via phone 800-248-3355, email at customercare@gswpa.org, or by completing our online form.
Updated June 28, 2021
GSWPA shops are open for in-person shopping. See Shop Hours and Locations for full hours.
GSWPA mask requirements for shoppers and staff:
Please practice social distancing from other people who are not from
your household and wash hands frequently.
Our Edinboro, Greensburg, and Pittsburgh shops continue to offer live virtual shopping experiences, curbside pickup and consignments, and free shipping on orders totaling $99 or more. Shipping is just $2.95 for orders less than $99.
Updated June 28, 2021
GSWPA is offering in-person events and activities, as well as virtual programs and summer camp options. Please check our Activities list for upcoming offerings.
GSWPA mask requirements for all attendees:
Please practice social distancing from other people who are not from
your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces and wash hands
frequently
Updated June 28, 2021
We couldn't be more excited to welcome Girl Scouts back to summer camp! GSWPA is just as committed as we've always been to providing a safe and memorable experience for every Girl Scout.
View our COVID-19
Precautions Flyer.
View our full 2021
Summer Camp COVID-19 Mitigation & Operations Plan.
Mask requirements for GSWPA campers and staff:
COVID-19 communication while at camp
If there is a suspected case of COVID-19 at camp, multiple
suspected cases, or a positive case, the following message will be
sent to caregivers of girls attending camp.
Caregivers will be notified by telephone individually if their camper is a close contact of a positive case.
Camp S'more magazine offers an easy way to check out all of the great programs planned at our GSWPA camps for summer 2021. To register for a specific camp session, visit our Activities page and use the keyword search to find the camp session that interests you.
Learn more by visiting our camp page.
Updated June 28, 2021
We're accepting day-use and overnight rentals at each of the four
GSWPA camp properties using our online reservation system. Visit our
camp
reservations page for full details.
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.
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.
Updated June 28, 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:
GSWPA mask requirements:
Please practice social distancing from other people who are not from your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces and wash hands frequently.
Updated June 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, unless
fully vaccinated, 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.
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.
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.
Updated May 3, 2021
Troop day trips, overnights, and out-of-state travel is permitted at this time. International travel is not permitted.
If your troop is planning high-adventure activities, to travel more
than 200 miles round-trip, or an overnight trip, you must complete a
Trip and
High Adventure Application for approval. No
international travel will be approved at this time. Please note that
due to an increased volume of applications, review time may take a
bit longer than usual.
Check back here for additional guidance and dates as it becomes
available.
Updated June 28, 2021
GSWPA is now offering in-person training. Find more details and a link to register on our Activities page.
GSWPA mask requirements for all attendees:
Please practice social distancing from other people who are not from
your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces and wash hands
frequently.
Updated April 26, 2021
GSWPA will temporarily accept the online-only American Red Cross
Adult, Child, and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED certification August 1,
2020-May 31, 2021. Volunteers who take an online-only certification
course through American Red Cross will be required to follow up with
an in-person skills demonstration at a GSWPA course by September 30,
2021, in order to maintain their certification. Through our
partnership with American Red Cross, volunteers can receive a 50%
discount for the online course bringing the cost to $17.50. The cost
of the GSWPA in-person skills training will be $10.
Important items to note:
•This exception is temporary and will
only apply to American Red Cross Adult, Child, and Baby First
Aid/CPR/AED Online training taken August 1, 2020 - May 31, 2021.
•The GSWPA in-person skills demonstration will cost an additional $10
and must be completed by September 30, 2021. Skills demonstration
sessions are tentatively scheduled for the Leadership Summit this
August.
•Volunteers are welcome to still attend a traditional
hands-on First Aid/CPR course during this time and no follow-up
demonstration will be needed.
Volunteers will need to
enroll themselves on the Red Cross website & select Online training
for search. At the very bottom of the registration form, they should
enter BGLM0621 in the coupon code box. Submit your certification card
through customercare@gswpa.org with
the subject line “Red Cross Online Certification.” You will receive an
email in return confirming your submission.
Updated April 1, 2021
GSWPA is extending the following certifications through August 31,
2021 to allow volunteers to run programs on GSWPA properties through
August 31, 2021. This extension applies to certifications that expire
from March 1, 2020-August 31, 2021.
This extension does not apply to any certifications that are used for activities taking place off of GSWPA properties.
GSWPA is exploring all options to be able to support volunteer training and certifications, including certifying GSWPA staff as trainers for our volunteers.
We will communicate these opportunities as they become available.
Thank you for your continued patience!
Updated June 28, 2021
GSWPA mask requirements for all GSWPA events and activities:
Please practice social distancing from other people who are not from
your household in both indoor and outdoor spaces and wash hands
frequently.
Volunteers should remind girls that Girl Scouts wear face coverings (masks) not only to protect themselves but to protect others. Face coverings are a civic responsibility and a sign of caring for the community. Girls can bring their own face coverings. Have disposable masks on hand for those who need them. Volunteers can teach girls how to handle their face coverings so that the coverings are effective.
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.). Cleaning and disinfecting should be done by adults and older girls.
Household bleach is effective against COVID-19 for up to 24 hours when properly diluted. Check that the bleach is not expired and determine if it can be used on a given surface. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser.
To prepare a bleach solution, mix:
See the CDC’s website for more on cleaning and disinfecting community facilities.
Follow the resources developed by credible public health sources such as CDC or your local public health department. Share these with girls and volunteers and ensure that they are practiced during meetings and activities. Place signs in the meeting or activity space to remind girls and volunteers to engage in everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Signs should include:
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 (like tapping elbows).
Troop first aid supplies should include COVID-19 prevention items including hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol), tissues, disposable facemasks, and disinfectants. Trash baskets or bags should be supplied for meeting and activity spaces, if not already available. Make sure that the trash baskets (or bags) are easily accessible for girls. Disposable or no-contact thermometers may be added to supplies if available and not cost-prohibitive, however, parents should be checking temperatures and allowing their girl(s) to join group activities only when temperatures are normal.
