Coronavirus Updates: Working Together to Keep Our GSNorCal Community Healthy

Updated as of 9/16/2021

Current COVID-19 Guidelines PDF

Our goal as Girl Scouts is to model leadership by prioritizing the health and safety of our members and communities, keeping kids in school, and reducing community spread of COVID-19, an extremely contagious virus that spreads easily in the community.

GSNorCal follows public health guidance and requirements regarding vaccination, masking, testing, distancing, and quarantining, referred to as “COVID Mitigation Layers”.

GSNorCal supports troop leaders, event directors, and camp directors to use their judgment to establish even greater protection than GSNorCal’s requirements based on planned activities or current local conditions.

GSNorCal values inclusion and recognizes that some members of our community are at greater risk than others and need enhanced Covid Mitigation Layers to be safe. Some members of our community may not be able to wear masks and/or be vaccinated. We will work with members, and where possible, identify appropriate modifications and alterations that will not increase the risk of COVID-19 exposure for Girl Scout participants.

Staff members are required to follow Cal OSHA requirements, as well as state and county guidelines. This means they may be masking at times when it may seem unnecessary to do so, however, please understand these guidelines may vary for them.

It is important to note that if individuals are feeling ill, they should stay away from in-person meetings or gatherings.

Masks

Indoors:

• Required for Girl Scout members and general public attending in-person Girl Scout meetings, activities, and/or event, including while carpooling.
• Required indoors at all times, at GSNorCal and non-GSNorCal properties.

Outdoors :

Masks are optional, except in these circumstances, where masks are required:

• Where social distancing cannot be maintained, like waiting in lines and event seating
• When required by the county, school district, school, or other organization where the activity is taking place
• When required by the troop leader, event director, or camp director who is responsible for the activity or event. Volunteers are often in the best position to determine whether greater protection is needed given the circumstances in their communities, the nature of the event, the vaccination rates of participants, etc.

Individuals medically exempted from wearing a face covering due to a medical condition must wear a non-restrictive alternative, such as a face shield with a drape on the bottom edge.

Vaccinations and Testing

• GSNorCal strongly recommends, but does not require, vaccines for all eligible adults and youth.
• GSNorCal supports volunteer troop leaders, event directors, and camp directors who choose to require in-person event participants to provide proof of vaccination and/or a negative COVID test within 72 hours of an event. Event First Aiders may also test a girl or adult participant for the COVID-19 virus, using a simple, over-the-counter test should the First Aider suspect possible exposure based on participant health.

Meals and Snacks

• Avoid any self-serve, shared food or drink options at Girl Scout meetings or events.
• Snacks are limited to pre-packaged or individual serving sizes which can be safely distributed without cross contamination by individuals wearing face coverings and gloves.
• Food practice guidelines as outlined in the CDC’s Small Gatherings: Planning for Food and Drinks remain in place.
• Eating and drinking indoors is not allowed.

Quarantine

• The CDPH (California Department of Public Health) K-12 COVID Guidance provides clear rules for what to do if you come in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.
• If fully vaccinated, follow the public health guidance for fully vaccinated people—you do not need to quarantine if you are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic. 
• If not fully vaccinated, follow the CDPH K-12 COVID Guidance:
  • “ Quarantine for all extracurricular activities at school, including sports, and activities within the community setting”
  • This means, no in-person Girl Scout (or other extracurricular activities) for either:
    • 10 days after exposure if there has been no COVID testing; or
    • 7 days if tested after 5 days from exposure and COVID test is negative.
  • If troop leaders, event directors, or camp directors learn that an event participant has tested positive for COVID-19, please contact your Volunteer Support Manager (VSM) so that GSNorCal can notify families of participants. Volunteers should not contact parents or guardians.

Isolation

If you feel sick, have COVID symptoms and/or have tested positive, isolate and DO NOT attend any in-person meetings, events, or activities.

Frequently Used GSNorCal Forms (revised with COVID information)

• Activity and Event Permission Form
• Annual Permission Form
• Girl Health History Form
• Adult Health History Form
• Trip or High Adventure Approval Form
• Introduction to SAFETY ACTIVITY CHECKPOINTS

Additional Guideline Details

Additional details regarding planning in-person events, camping, carpooling, quarantining guidelines, and domestic and international travel appear in the PDF version of this document.

Additional COVID Resources

Public Health: California Department of Public Health COVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 Schools in California, 2021-2022 School Year.

https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/K-12-Guidance-2021-22-School-Year.aspx

Masks: California “Masks in Daily Life” Mandate: https://covid19.ca.gov/masks-and-ppe/#Masks-in-daily-life

Vaccination: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID-19-Public-Health-Recommendations-for-Fully-Vaccinated-People.aspx

https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/08/11/california-implements-first-in-the-nation-measure-to-encourage-teachers-and-school-staff-to-get-vaccinated/

Quarantining: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Guidance-on-Isolation-and-Quarantine-for-COVID-19-Contact-Tracing.aspx

Current Safety Measures: California State “Do’s and Don’ts”: https://covid19.ca.gov/safely-reopening/#what-to-do-now

Thank you for your help in keeping Girl Scouts a safe, fun space for everyone! If you have any questions about how COVID-19 may impact Girl Scouts activities, please contact us at info@gsnorcal.org or 800-447-4475—we’re here for you.

County Health Department Requirements:

Below are the links to the COVID webpage resources for all 19 counties that make up GSNorCal. 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.

Thank you for your help in keeping Girl Scouts a safe, fun space for everyone! If you have questions about how COVID-19 may impact Girl Scout activities, please contact us at  info@gsnorcal.org or 800-447-4475—we're here for you.