This guidance is being provided when a vaccine has not been made
readily available. 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 Meeting Space
At this time, troops should keep activities within 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.
Troop Meeting Size
Updated April 6, 2021
based
on Pennsylvania Department of Health Guidelines
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.
Transportation
Updated Oct. 1, 2020
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: Virtual
Troop Meetings.
Other helpful resources can be found here.
Day trips and activities
Updated Oct. 1, 2020
Troop activities and day trips are now permitted beyond the counties
of GSWPA, as long as troops stay within the state of Pennsylvania. 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.
