Covid Guidelines

In-Person Troop Meetings Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Volunteers

The Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Volunteers below goes into effect 05.01.2021 and is effective through 06.30.2021.

Flowers are blooming, the birds are singing and Girl Scouts are celebrating! What a wonderful time of year! We are very excited to be announcing some new and exciting changes to our Covid-19 Guidance for Volunteers.

Here are the highlights of the changes. Please be sure to review the complete guidance below for specific details.

As of May 1, 2021

Troops will now be able to hold Outdoor Troop Meetings, events or plan a local trip for up to three and a half hours (half day). This may include bridging and award ceremonies.
Service Units will also be able to hold outdoor events and bridging/award ceremonies for up to three and a half hours (half day).
All outdoor troop meetings, events, and trips will no longer have a specific number of people permitted but rather they must all follow the NYS Guidelines for outdoor gatherings.
Bronze, Silver, and Gold award girls are now permitted to make in-person presentations within established school groups/clubs. They are also permitted to make presentations at another troop's Outdoor Troop Meeting.
Carpooling if necessary is permitted provided the guidelines for doing so are followed.
Tagalongs are now permitted.
Food and drink is permitted as long as it is not shared. So girls can bring their own food to eat or individually packed food for each girl can be distributed.
Parades are permitted with social distancing and masks. (Need to fill out Trip App)

Please note: Although there are some new federal guidelines regarding mask wearing for fully vaccinated individuals, GSUSA still has the following guidelines in place for when any Girl Scouts, girls or adults are gathering in-person.

Face Coverings (Masks): All girls and adult volunteers wear masks during in-person gatherings, this is mandatory no matter what state your council is located in. In most states wearing a mask is required, though the age of requirement varies. Some states require masks for anyone over two years old. Regardless of whether it is state law, girls and volunteers should always wear a mask when they gather in person. Volunteers should remind girls that Girl Scouts wear face coverings, not only to protect themselves but to protect others. Face coverings are a civic responsibility and a sign of caring for the community.

All of us at GSNC have enjoyed seeing all the photos that you have submitted. What a great way to let us know what great activities you have been doing during this very unusual year. Feel free to keep them coming.

Outdoor Troop Meeting Request Form>>
Local Day Trip Request Form>>
Service Unit and Troop Event Request Form>>

In-Person Troop Meetings

GSNC troops are strongly encouraged to meet virtually.

Leading in-person activities during COVID-19 is optional. Volunteers should first decide if they are comfortable offering in-person outdoor troop meetings before proceeding.

At this time GSNC prohibits indoor Girl Scout meetings or activities, including in private homes.

Completing the Outdoor Troop Meeting Request Form is required to receive prior approval, you can now enter up to four meeting dates if they are going to take at the same location and time.

Starting December 1, 2020, GSNC troops may meet in person outdoors with the following criteria.

Any in-person troop meeting must follow NYS guidelines.
All girls and volunteers must practice social distancing, wear face coverings (masks), and maintain 6 feet distancing of others, and follow safety guidelines as outlined by the CDC.
All girls and approved adults must have completed the registration or renewal process for the 2021 membership year.
In addition, the below guidelines must be followed.

Meeting Size

Meetings should not exceed NYS guidelines for outdoor gatherings. Be sure to follow Safety Activity Checkpoints to meet the required Approved Adult to girl ratio.

Meeting Duration

Beginning May 1, 2021, all Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador troops may meet for up to three and a half hours (half day).

Meeting Space

Only outdoor spaces where social distancing can be maintained are permitted for meetings. Get advance permission from the property owner or the jurisdiction that provides the location. Meetings in private homes, backyards, and front yards are prohibited.

Personal Contact

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.

Food and Beverage

Food and drink is permitted as long as it is not shared. So girls can bring their own food to eat or individually packed food for each girl can be distributed.

First Aid Supplies

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 spaces, if not already available. Make sure that the trash baskets (or bags) are easily accessible. 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 (the same guidance applies to volunteers.

Volunteers and Families

Leaders should share these guidelines with troop families, and make a collaborative decision with families based on comfort level, accessibility, and desired level of engagement.

Volunteers and families should assess their ability to comply with the required guidelines. For example, younger girls may find it difficult to remain socially distant and/or wear masks. If girls cannot comply with guidelines, troop activities should remain virtual at this time.

Transportation

GSNC highly recommends individual parents drop off and pick up their own girls from meetings. If carpooling is necessary, all participants riding in the vehicle are required to wear a mask. Keep car window opened, at least partially, to circulate fresh air. Public transportation should be avoided, where possible, to maintain social distancing. Parents/ guardians should wait in/at their car or in the area outside of the troop meeting space unless invited to be part of the meeting as part of the permitted meeting size. Tagalongs are prohibited.

Pre-screening Questions

Pre-screening questions before attending each Girl Scout meeting or event:

Have you or anyone in your household (person(s) with whom you live) traveled either domestically or internationally over the past three weeks? If yes, which location(s) did you or they visit, and which airports did you or they travel through?
- Check the NYS website for quarantine requirements for anyone who has recently traveled out of state.
Have you or anyone with whom you live experienced any of the following symptoms within the past two weeks?
Have you or anyone with whom you live experienced any of the following symptoms over the past 24 hours? To your knowledge, have you been in close, sustained contact (within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more) with anyone showing any of the above-referenced symptoms, or anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?
Please click the links above or go to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html for COVID-19 symptoms.
Volunteers should include these questions in each email confirmation they send to parents for meetings and events.

Outdoor Troop Meeting Approval

Leaders must submit an Outdoor Troop Meeting Request Form 10 days prior to the meeting. Requests will be reviewed within 5 business days, approval emails will be sent.

Trips, Travel, and Overnight Stays

Beginning May 1, 2021 troops will be permitted to participate in local outdoor day trips and programs for up to three and a half hours.

A trip is considered for any event other than a regular meeting (Outdoor Troop Meeting), they may include but not limited to participating with a program provider such as a nature center, horseback riding stable, art program, or yoga classes.
All activities included in the trip must take place outdoors.
All participants must follow CDC Covid-19 recommended guidelines regarding wearing masks at all times and adhering to social distancing as necessary.
GSNC highly recommends individual parents drop off and pick up their own girls from meetings. If carpooling is necessary, all participants riding in the vehicle are required to wear a mask. Public transportation should be avoided, where possible, to maintain social distancing.
No shared food or beverages should be served.
Written approval is required by completing the Local Day Trip Request Form. You will need to receive the confirmation email to proceed with the trip.
Parades are permitted with social distancing and masks. (Need to fill out Trip App)

Local Day Trip Request Form>>

For trips of more than three and a half hours (half day), travel and overnight stays are prohibited through June 30, 2021. This date will be reviewed and extended as needed.

Council In-Person Programs

Beginning April 15, 2021, Girl Scouts of Nassau County will begin to offer Outdoor Council programs. Be sure to check out the program calendar for the latest opportunities both outdoor In-person and virtual programming.

GSNC continues to encourage virtual engagement: www.gsnc.org/athome

Girl Scout Cookie Program Guidelines

Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Cookie Program Volunteers

In effect 03/01/2021 through 04/30/2021.

These guidelines are specific to the 2021 Cookie Program and are in addition to the In-Person Troop Meetings Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Volunteers.

Please note that while girls can work together on their plans and promotional materials for the Girl Scout Cookie Program on a virtual meeting or at a pre-approved outdoor troop meeting, doing neighborhood door hanger distributions with others or other group activity would not be approved under the current GSNC troop meeting guidelines.

Digital Cookie
Digital Cookie remains the safest way to take orders for Girl Scout Cookies – it is fun to set up and there is no paper order card that needs to be filled out. The customer pays online with a credit card, so there is no money to collect from them or to hand into your troop.

If you have not set up your digital site yet, go to digitalcookie.girlscouts.org and click on “Need help to log in.”

How to Participate Safely
GSNC is working diligently to keep our girls, volunteers, staff, and community safe and healthy while participating in Girl Scout activities during these challenging times.

Please review our Safe and Successful Girl Scout Cookie Order Taking Tips for some innovative ways your daughter can safely participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, along with some tips on order taking, money collection, and delivery.

Cookie Stand-A-Bouts (A New Family Option for 2021)
You may want to consider hosting a Stand-A-Bout in front of your home! Have fun setting up your “Pop-up Cookie Shop!”

Girls can learn goal-setting, decision-making, money management, people skills, and business ethics while earning money for their troop and amazing rewards and patches for themselves.

Our Cookie Stand-A-Bouts Flyer gives you the steps to be successful and have fun!

If you have any questions, please contact us at customercare@gsnc.org or 516.741.2550.

Family (Household) Local Booth Sale (A New Family Option for 2021)
Beginning March 5, 2021 families/households will be permitted to hold a contactless local booth sale. Families will need to follow all GSNC COVID-19 guidelines and submit requests through your Troop Cookie Manager. Please review the following two resources to learn more and instructions to host a Family Booth Sale.

GSNC Family Booth Sale Requirements
GSNC FAQ’s for Family Booth Sale

Troop Cookie Drive-thru (New for 2021)
Beginning March 5, 2021 troops will be permitted to hold a contactless cookie drive-thru. Troops will need to follow all GSNC COVID-19 guidelines and submit requests through your Service Unit Cookie Manager. Please review the following two resources to learn more and instructions to host a Troop Cookie Drive-thru.

GSNC Troop Drive-thru Cookie Booth Requirements
GSNC Troop Drive-thru Cookie Booth Guide

Council Service Center

The GSNC Service Center remains closed, staff continues to provide support virtually.

Please email us at customercare@gsnc.org or leave a message at 516.741.2550.

GSNC Shop

Car-Side Pickup (By Appointment Only)

The GSNC Service Center remains closed, staff continues to provide support virtually. The GSNC Shop will continue to offer car-side pickup by appointment only with expanded hours.

Tuesdays: SHOP open 11am -2pm (by appointment only)
Thursdays: SHOP open 4pm - 8pm (by appointment only)

Make an appointment with the GSNC Shop for Car-Side Pickup>>

In-Person Shopping (By Appointment Only)

Beginning April 1, 2021, the GSNC Shop will be offering in-person shopping by appointment only for 20-minute increments on Wednesdays.

By appointment only, on Wednesdays only for 20 minutes shopping sessions from 10am-4pm.
One family/household up to 3 people per appointment.
Masks must be worn at all times.

Make an appointment for the GSNC Shop's In-Person Shopping>>

GSNC 2021 Cookie Cupboard

To meet the needs of our membership, and ensure compliance with all Covid-19 Guidelines and Regulations for volunteers and staff, the 2021 Cookie Cupboard will be relocated offsite at:

Samanea New York Mall (formerly the Source Mall)
1500 Old Country Road
Westbury, NY 11590

Troop Cookie Managers will be able to arrange for a curbside pick-up of cookies by appointment only. They simply need to enter their order into the eBudde system, select an available date and time at least three hours prior to pick up, and arrive to pick-up their order.

Should a Troop Cookie Manager need to pick up any additional supplies/paperwork for the 2021 Girl Scout Cookie Program, they can do so by scheduling an appointment for a curbside pick-up at the Cookie Cupboard on Tuesday or Thursday. Complete a curbside pick-up request.

Cookie Cupboard Hours

Monday	10am to 6pm	Last available appointment 5:45pm
Tuesday	11am to 7:30pm	Last available appointment 7:15pm
Wednesday	10am to 6pm	Last available appointment 5:45pm
Thursday	11am to 7:30pm	Last available appointment 7:15pm
Friday	10am to 6pm	Last available appointment 5:45pm
Saturday	9am to 2pm	Last available appointment 1:45pm

Please Note: Only cookies and 2021 Girl Scout Cookie Program materials are available for pick-up at the Cookie Cupboard. Should you need anything else, please email cupboard@gsnc.org to make arrangements to have it mailed or picked up at the Girl Scout Service Center.

Troop/Service Unit Events

Troop/Service Unit events may also include all bridging and award ceremonies.

Beginning May 1, 2021 troops can plan to hold an event lasting up to three and a half hours (half day) in a public space to include family members of each household.

All participants must follow CDC Covid-19 recommended guidelines regarding wearing masks at all times and adhering to social distancing as necessary.
Social distancing should be maintained whenever possible.
The number of participants must not exceed the NYS Covid-19 Guidelines for outdoor events, currently at 200 people (be sure to review current restrictions at the time of your event).
No shared food or beverages should be served.
Troop Leader, Service Unit Volunteer Manager, or Event Chair must submit a Troop/Service Unit Event Form (link to form) 10 days prior to the meeting. Requests will be reviewed within 5 business days; approval emails will be sent.

Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award Projects

Beginning May 1, 2021 girls working towards their Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award will be permitted to do in-person presentations within the girl's home school district with established school groups/clubs. Gold Award girls should contact their mentor for approval.

They are also permitted to make presentations at another troop's Outdoor Troop Meeting. Parents of the troop being visited should be aware of the additional girls/adults attending prior to the meeting.

All above subject to change in order to be in compliance with any NYS Health/COVID-19 regulations updates.

Thank you for all that you do. Please contact Customer Care if you have any questions: customercare@gsnc.org or call 516-741-2550.

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