Coronavirus Updates: Working Together to Keep Our GSNorCal Community Healthy

Updated as of April 13 at 12:00 PM (PST)

Given California’s recent release of new guidelines authorizing low contact youth sports in all counties (State Youth Sports Guidelines) and ongoing improvements in community transmission and vaccination rates, GSNorCal is excited to announce new guidelines for in person single troop meetings and limited outdoor cookie programs for individual girl households. GSNorCal’s new guidelines will be effective on March 1, 2021.

Troops

Effective March 1, and subject to compliance with the State Youth Sports Guidelines for low contact youth sports, as well as any applicable county or local health department and school district requirements:

• Single Troops in ALL counties: May meet in person outdoors
  Single Troops in Orange and Yellow counties: May also meet indoors, provided that the indoor venue meets the State Youth Sport Guidelines for capacity and ventilation
• Meetings of single Girl Scout troops are comparable to “Low-Contact Sports,” defined in the State Youth Sports Guidelines as: Individual or small group sports where contact within six feet of other participants can be avoided. Examples of low contact sports include no-contact dance, hiking, singles tennis, focusing on small consistent youth groups operating in a controlled environment with responsible adult supervision.

Note: These guidelines expressly exclude community events.

Cookies

Individual household cookie program activities: Girls participating in the cookie program may sell cookies in person door-to-door and at stationary walk-up or drive-up stands as an individual household activity, provided their parent or caregiver permits and supervises this activity and ensures compliance with the GSNorCal COVID guidelines for the Cookie Program.

COVID-19 Guidance

The California Blueprint for a Safer Economy assigns counties to one of four colored County Risk Levels: Purple, Red, Orange and Yellow. To determine your county’s Risk Level, go to the California Blueprint for a Safer Economy webpage.

County Updates as of 4/13

• Lake upgraded to orange from red

To view a larger version of the table below, right-click and select "Open image in new tab".

We are in the process of updating the Troop and Service Unit Leader Checklists below and will have those available shortly. 

• Parent/Caregiver and Volunteer Participation Agreement for In-person Girl Scout Meetings
• Troop & Service Unit Leader Checklist for Hosting In-person Girl Scout Meetings
• Large & Multi-Troop In-person Event Planning Worksheet

County Health Department Requirements:

Below are the links to the COVID webpage resources for all 19 counties that make up GSNorCal. We have noted where, as of February 20, 2021, we are aware of county health departments that MAY impose additional restrictions for youth recreational sports. Counties and local schools and school districts continue to adjust guidelines as public health officials learn more about the virus in their communities. Please be sure to check your county’s COVID guidelines, also check with your school, to confirm that youth attending in person school are allowed to participate in youth sports and out-of-school-time activities.

What GSNorCal Girl Scouts are doing now

• You may participate in Girl Scout activities as a household: You may plan family days at parks and other outdoor areas with safety protocols in place. We also have some GSNorCal properties open for Family Days at Camp. Families can also go to Girl Scouts at Home to find engaging family-friendly activities and experiences you can do together at home with no supplies or items you might already have on hand. 
  
• Girls can Give Joy to thousands of cookie-seeking customers by participating in the 2021 Cookie Program through launching their Digital Cookie online shop and arranging contactless order pick-up sites. Make sure to review our in-person Cookie Program Guidance. 
• You may participate in online programs and other hands-on and self-guided activities.
• Girls can get started on Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards or other special Girl Scout awards. We’ve seen a big increase in Girl Scouts who are getting a jump start on their award projects. 
• You may begin planning ahead for your post-COVID troop trip or high-adventure activities. Start by submitting a Trip or High-Adventure Approval Form. By the time you can participate in your adventure, all the details will already be taken care of. 

Thank you for your help in keeping Girl Scouts a safe, fun space for everyone! If you have questions about how novel coronavirus may impact Girl Scout activities, please contact us at info@gsnorcal.org or 800-447-4475—we're here for you.