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COVID-19 Update

Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore continues to update our Volunteer COVID-19 Guidance. Follow current CDC, State and local guidelines for social distancing for all In-person meetings and activities. 

Should I wear a mask to stop the spread of COVID-19?

Please see current CDC and NJ State guidelines

We will continue to watch for recommendations from the CDC and the State of New Jersey and will update our policies as needed.

Meeting Spaces

If you’re interested in holding a Girl Scout troop meeting in camp, reserving one of our properties, or coming to camp for a program on-demand, please complete the Facility Reservation Form.

Important Resources

Our customer care team is available for questions Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., via phone 800-785-2090 or email at customercare@gsfun.org

Troop Meetings and Activities

For troops who are looking for ways to reconnect in person, we have put together a list of recommendations based on the current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  and state guidelines.   

Consult Safety Activity Checkpoints  for further guidance on troop meetings and troop activities

Parental Permission Form

Please have this form completed by caregivers when planning in-person meetings or activities 

Troop Meeting Size

Troop Meeting Space

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.

For meetings held at public facilities, contact the facility ahead of time and ask:

  • Is the space cleaned, and touch surfaces (i.e., tabletops, light switches, chairs, etc.) sanitized, at least daily?
  • Who else uses the space (how often, what size is the group)? Is the space cleaned between groups?
  • What type of faucets / soap dispensers are available in the restroom (sensory or manual)?

Then, consider whether you can supplement any practices that are less ideal. For example, if you will arrive after another user group, plan to bring sanitizing wipes to get the space ready for your troop. Another example: if faucets are manual, take some time to show girls how to shut them off with a paper towel.  Use paper towels for doorknobs whenever possible.

Meetings may not be held in fitness centers or gyms because the atmosphere in sports facilities is aerosolizing making them a higher risk for contracting virus.

Troop Meetings in the Home

As always, GSJS strongly advises against meeting in the home out of concern that there would be a greater risk of homeowner liability.  Our strong recommendation is to refrain from in-home meetings. 

*If there are extenuating circumstances that make an at home meeting necessary, see Safety Activity Checkpoints for additional guidance.  (insert link to SAC)

Backyard Meetings

For back and front yard meetings, make sure that the grounds are completely safe for children. For example, be careful that pools are fenced or otherwise safely sectioned off. The same goes for any equipment or tools or recreational apparatus that is deemed unsafe for girls such as outdoor trampolines. Make sure that pets are kept separate from the girls meeting space. Ensure that both the troop leader and co-leader can see girls and monitor their whereabouts at all times.  Maintain the use of the buddy system for errands or bathroom breaks. If the property is large, ensure that the meeting space is kept distinctly separate from non-members.

Virtual Meetings

Meeting options may need to be flexible based on the fluid nature of COVID-19 risk. Troops that are able to run online meetings as needed (or wanted) should continue to do so. GSUSA recommends maintaining a virtual to in-person ratio of at least 20/80, which means to maintain virtual troop meetings at least 20% of the time to keep tech skills and virtual meeting habits fresh and the on the ready.  Use the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Virtual Meetings, to guide your meeting plans:

Transportation

It is recommended that individual parents/caregivers drop off and pick up their own girls.  If carpooling or using public transportation, follow current social distancing guidelines. 

Day Trips and Activities

In conjunction with Safety Activity Checkpoints, follow the same guidance found in the Troop Meetings and Hygiene and the COVID-19 Risk Mitigation guidance sections of this document.  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 to wipe down equipment in between uses.  Make whatever appropriate accommodations are necessary.  For example, bring extra sanitizer if none will be provided for public use at the activity location. Submit a Trip or High Risk Activity Application  BEFORE making any definitive plans or financial deposits/payments.

Troop Travel and Overnights

Overnight Trips

Overnight trips are permitted.  Troops must follow the guidance of the facility regarding maximum capacity allowed.  Before booking any trips, please contact the facility to ensure they are following all CDC and state guidelines as well as to confirm occupancy limits.  Review cancellation policies. 

Be aware of any necessary quarantine periods necessary for going to or returning home from international or out-of-state travel.

When planning ANY overnight trips, out of state trips, or activities requiring approval submit GSJS Trip or High Risk Activity Application.

Hygiene and COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Guidance

Face Coverings

Follow current social distancing guidelines for New Jersey

Disinfectants and Disinfecting

Routinely clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are frequently touched (i.e., tabletops, markers, scissors, etc.). 

See the CDC’s website for more on cleaning and disinfecting community facilities.

Hygiene and COVID-19 Risk Mitigation

Share COVID-19 guidance 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:

  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Cough and sneeze into a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash, and wash or sanitize your hands.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Wash hands if you do touch these areas and other items that may not be sanitized.
  • Volunteers, girls and parents should be reminded to skip the in-person gathering if ill.

Personal Contact

Hugs, handshakes, “high fives,” and even activities like the friendship circle or squeeze may transmit disease.  Instead, create a safe way for girls and volunteers to greet and end meetings instead.

First Aid Supplies

Be prepared with first aid supplies including COVID-9 prevention items such as hand sanitizer (at least 60%) alcohol), tissues, disposable facemasks, and disinfectants.  Easily accessible trash baskets or bags should be supplied for meeting and activity spaces, if not already available.  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. 

Supplies

Encourage girls to bring their own supplies such as crayons, markers, etc.  Provide a list to parents/caregivers ahead of activities.  Avoid sharing common supplies.  Have pre-packaged supplies on hand for any girl who needs them.  At the conclusion of the meeting, encourage girls to wipe down items with a disinfectant wipe.

Monitoring and Preparing

Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore covers Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Please refer directly to the CDC and county public health departments for the most up-to-date information and guidance