COVID-19 Important Updates & Frequently Asked Questions

GSCM COVID-19 In-person Girl Scout Activities Guidance Update

Effective March 4, 2022

The safety of our Girl Scouts and their families, volunteers, and staff remain our paramount priority. We continue to monitor COVID-19 conditions and statistics, as well as consider the guidance from the Centers of Disease Control (CDC), the State of Maryland, and Girl Scouts of the USA in providing safe in-person Girl Scout activities in informing our guidance.

In light of the current low COVID-19 positivity rate, updated guidance from the State of Maryland and the CDC, beginning March 4, 2022, the face covering (i.e., mask) requirement for in-person Girl Scout activities in GSCM is now optional. Members need to make their own determinations as to the best way to protect themselves while engaging in Girl Scout activities. If local government, county, or businesses with whom we partner on Girl Scouts activities are more restrictive than GSCM guidelines, members are expected to adhere to these guidelines.

With that stated, all girl and adult members participating in Girl Scout activities are to continue to adhere to the GSCM COVID-19 In-person Girl Scout Activities Guidelines which can be found here.

Required Girl Scout In-person Activities Permissions and Waiver*: We remind our members that for any girl member participating in ANY and ALL Girl Scout activities which are in-person, be it activities at the local troop/group or Service Unit level or a GSCM program/event, all three of the following participation forms are required prior to participation:

*Note: For Girl Scout troop/group activities and Service Unit activities, the troop/group leader is responsible for obtaining and maintaining these forms with troop/group records.

We thank all volunteers, members, and staff for remaining vigilant in following current GSCM guidelines as we continue to navigate through this challenging time and in keeping our youth and adults safe during activities. We will continue to monitor and evaluate our COVID-19 In-person activity guidance. Please note that this guidance is subject to change should conditions around COVID-19 risk shift in our council jurisdiction

What is Girl Scouts of Central Maryland doing in response to COVID-19?

To assist you with navigating conversations with girls we have disseminated and posted this blog article (en Español) about the coronavirus from GSUSA.

Girl Scouts’ number one priority is the safety and well-being of our members and the families and communities we serve. Girl Scouts of Central Maryland continues to monitor COVID-19 safety protocols around in-person Girl Scout activities. We have and will continue to follow federal and state guidance, as well as guidelines from GSUSA, the CDC, and county health departments. As we have updates to our guidance, we will share details with our membership through this webpage and other communications.

How to continue to engage in Girl Scout programming

Girl Scout troops and groups may decide to hold in-person activities that are either indoors or outdoors; continue to engage on virtual platforms; and/or hold some activities in-person and some virtually. What is important is that Girl Scout troops and groups continue to assess their members interest and readiness as to gathering in-person. Additionally, as always, troops, groups and service units must adhere to current safety protocols per the GSUSA Safety Activity Checkpoints; Volunteer Essentials; GSCM Travel, Special Events, and Money-Earning Activity Procedures; and the GSCM Interim COVID-19 Girl Scout Activity Guidelines.

For troops, service units, and groups who wish to gather in a virtual space, we suggest these platforms:

Zoom
Skype
Periscope
Facebook Live
FreeConfeenceCall.com

GSCM Girl Programs

GSCM is excited to bring you over 100 program offerings this year. Check-out the offering in our GS411 by clicking here .

COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs

Vaccinations

Volunteers and girls are not required to have the COVID-19 vaccine to attend in-person Girl Scout activities. Please refer to the GSCM COVID-19 Vaccinations FAQ for Girl Scout Parents/Caregivers and Volunteers that were posted on April 1, 2021 for more information.

Return to In-person Girl Scout Meetings and Activities

Click here to view the Guidelines for Returning to In-person Girl Scout Activities.

Face Coverings (i.e., Masks)

Ventilation and Air Circulation Guidance

While holding Girl Scout activities indoors, the following best practices are highly encouraged:

The best guidance for keeping air clean is to conduct indoor activities with open windows to allow fresh clean ventilation of air. In some cases, it is not possible to have open windows due to excessive heat and humidity. For these situations it is important to keep clean air properly flowing and air conditioning filters clean and upgraded frequently.
Two excellent resources for proper air filtration include:
- Ventilation in Buildings - CDC
- Indoor Air and Coronavirus - EPA
Some tips that are outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Environmental Protection Agency include:
- Upgrading air filters to the highest efficiency possible compatible with the HVAC system.
- Checking filters to minimize filter air bypass.
- Consider using portable air cleaners to supplement increased HVAC system ventilation and filtration.
- Placing fans in places to direct air flow so air is not blowing from one person to the next.
- Rebalancing or adjusting HVAC systems to increase total air flow.
- High efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) fan filtration systems to enhance cleaning.

Required Girl Scout In-person Activities Permissions and Waiver We remind our members that for any girl member participating in ANY and ALL Girl Scout activities which are in-person, be it activities at the local troop/group or Service Unit level or a GSCM program/event, all three of the following participation forms are required prior to participation:

*Note: For Girl Scout troop/group activities and Service Unit activities, the troop/group leader is responsible for obtaining and maintaining these forms with troop/group records.

Troop/Group Travel

Travel, Special Events, and Money-Earning Activities

In August 2020, Girl Scouts of Central Maryland launched Girl Scout Travelers – Twenty-First Century Guidelines. Unfortunately, the pandemic prevented us from implementing the guidelines. However, Girl Scouts of Central Maryland remains committed to Girl Scout travel and our Travelers Program. With that said, we are excited to announce the return of travel for Summer 2021! Please review the Girl Scout Travelers – Twenty-First Century Guidelines, particularly page 16 and the Updated COVID-19 In-person Activities Guidance.

Additional Money Earning Activities

We are excited to announce that money-earning activities are back and have along with them an entirely new Special Events and Money-Earning Activities Guide. We highly encourage EVERYONE to read the NEW Special Events and Money-Earning Activities Guide. A completed NEW Special Event/Money-Earning Activity Application must be submitted for approval at least thirty (30) days prior to the activity. (EXCEPTION – THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY SUBMITTED REQUESTS FOR MONEY-EARNING ACTIVITIES USING THE PRIOR FORM DO NOT NEED TO RESUBMIT USING THE NEW FORM.) Be sure to also view the Updated COVID-19 In-person Activities Guidance. If you would like to plan a Money-Earning Activity during the month of June, please reach out to us with all necessary paperwork and we will do our best to work with you for approval of the activity.

GSCM Camp Property Usage

COVID-19 Guidelines for Rental Opportunities for GSCM Owned Properties. June 1, 2021

EXTENSION: Girl Scout Troop/Group Meeting Reservations at GSCM Camps

After receiving several requests to extend property usage for troop meetings, GSCM will be extending the properties to be available through August 31, 2021. There are rentals and leases through the summer months and therefore rental reservations have first priority. Additionally, some changes to certain troop meeting reservations may be affected. If you would like to continue to use the spaces past June 30, 2021, please contact membercare@gscm.org

Below is a reservation link for each of our four camps. By clicking on the link for the camp that your troop is interested in, you will have access to the schedule of available sites, dates, and times. Select the site/date/time your troop is interested in meeting.

Only one troop per one spot is being granted in order to give as many troops as possible the opportunity to meet at camp. Each troop is entitled to one meeting location per month recurring at the same time of day (e.g. every first Monday of the month at 5:30 PM). After reservations are received and checked for availability, troop leaders will receive a confirmation email, along with a site user agreement and guidelines.

Please email membercare@gscm.org if after a reservation is granted your troop no longer needs the reserved site so that other troops will have the opportunity to reserve an open spot.

Questions? Email membercare@gscm.org

COVID-19 Guidelines for Reservation of GSCM Camp Properties for Troop Meetings

COVID-19 Guidelines for Camp Volunteer Maintenance Work

GSCM Business Hours

As of June 1, the GSCM Program Center is open Monday-Thursday during the business hours of 9:00 AM- 4:30 PM. Members who need to visit the building may contact membercare@gscm.org to make appointment.

GSCM Stores

Our council stores are open; on June 15 we began our summer store hours. We will be enforcing social distancing, face covering (i.e., mask) wearing, and temperature measurement, as well as limiting the number of visitors in the store at one time. Curbside pickup and virtual appointments are still available.

Graduating Seniors Funds Extension Guidelines