Guidelines on Troop events and meetings
August 11, 2021
All Troop Meetings and Special Events must adhere to State and Federal Guidance for Safe Celebrations and Events. Please click the links below to review the entire document.
-
Minnesota COVID-19 Prevention Guidance for Certified Child
Care, Youth Programs, and Camps (Stay Safe MN) :
https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/youthguide.pdf -
Wisconsin:
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/community.htm - CDC indicators and thresholds for risk of introduction and transmission of COVID-19 in schools: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/community/schools-childcare/indicators-thresholds-table.pdf
Highlights from the MN & WI Departments of Health:
Group Size
- Indoor meetings, events, and activities run by volunteers (troops, service units, other Girl Scout groups), are limited to a maximum of 25 people per group/pod (including adults and facilitators) with at least three feet of social distancing, and participants must wear masks.
- Outdoor meetings, events, and activities do not have a limit, however—any time more than 25 people gather together in a space, when groups/pods combine for an activity, or when at least 3 feet of social distancing cannot be consistently maintained, everyone is required to wear a mask. Groups/pods of 25 people or less are not required to wear masks outdoors, unless combining with other groups/pods. See Face Coverings section for more details. In outdoor groups of any size, participants should maintain at least 3 feet of social distancing.
Troop Meetings and Activities
- Having meetings and activities in outdoor spaces where 3-6 feet of social distancing can be maintained is recommended.
- Indoor meetings and activities are allowed, following all Girl Scouts Lakes & Pines group size and masking requirements.
- Participating in parades and festivals is allowed, following all group size and masking requirements, and maintaining social distancing of at least 3 feet from members of your group and others. If social distancing outdoors cannot be maintained, masks must be worn.
- Meeting in private homes is not recommended.
- Don’t assume the space has been cleaned and sanitized—come prepared.
Overnights
- Outdoor/tent overnights are allowed, but for individual troops only, with one household per tent.
- Overnights are not allowed for larger events run by volunteers (day camps, encampments, program events).
- No indoor overnights allowed except as a council-approved, multi-night travel trip.
Face Coverings
- Masks are required any time you are indoors.
- Masks are not required outside, unless social distancing of at least three feet cannot be maintained or in a group larger than 25 people.
- For large volunteer-led activities/camps/events (more than 25 people), masks are required outside when groups/pods combine and duration of exposure is increased, such as flag ceremonies, campfires, or all-camp games. Masks are not required if groups/pods are just passing between activities.
- Masks must be worn while cooking or washing dishes (cooking is allowed for individual troop overnights only).
