Meeting Guidelines and Council Protocols
Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York remains committed to the health
and safety of guests and staff.
Following local and
regional COVID-19 health directives, Girl Scouts of Northeastern NY is
currently open with revised operating hours. While there have been no
reported cases of COVID-19 at the properties, the safety of our
guests, team members, and Girls is always our highest priority. We
will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation, and follow
the most current guidance from federal, state, and local officials.
2021 Summer Camp Covid-19 Plan
NYS Microcluster Strategy
NYS is following a microcluster strategy which means regions within NY may be placed in a yellow, orange, or red zone if they have a high number of COVID-19 cases.
GSNENY covers Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Greene, Essex, Franklin,
Fulton, Montgomery, Hamilton, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady,
Schoharie, Warren, and Washington counties. Currently, our counties
have not been placed in the yellow zone. This keeps GSNENY’s gathering
size at 50 people. If any of our counties move into the yellow zone,
this will change that county’s gathering size from 50 to 25.
Girl Scouts strive to always be prepared. If any county
is placed in the yellow zone, the gathering size in that county
may change. If any county is placed in an orange or red zone, that
county will need to suspend in-person programming per NYS
guidelines. Orange or red zone restrictions will be handled
county by county, and will not be applied across the council unless
NYS advises otherwise. We recommend you to be ready for the
possibility that Albany County may be placed into the yellow zone.
It is also possible that any county could be placed into one of
these zones in the future depending on COVID-19 rates.
As a reminder, GSNENY will give full refunds for any
in-person program or property rental for GSNENY events, activities,
and properties.
If your troop or service unit happens to cross county lines, meetings will abide by the most restrictive county rules.
Curbside retail and product program delivery will still be permitted
in the yellow and orange zone. Troop leaders and volunteers may still
arrange contact-less delivery and pick up of supplies with families in
the yellow and orange zone. We do not yet have enough information to
determine additional impacts of the red zone and are monitoring
guidance from NYS.
In-person programs and events can be
a wonderful outlet for our Girls when permitted by NYS, however, they
are always optional. There are many ways to participate in GS at home
with virtual meetings, badge in a box, and at-home activities. Virtual
is the safest option. Always follow your own comfort level, and if you
participate in person, please follow all safety guidelines to reduce
the risk.
If a county is placed in a yellow, orange, or
red zone, and we need to suspend or alter in-person programs, GSNENY
will notify all members by email, on our social media pages, update
our blog, and website.
Visiting Council Service Centers:
Virtually (Email &
Phone)
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday - Thursday
9:00 am -
3:00 pm, Friday
In-Person – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Tuesday -
Thursday
In-person visits are by APPOINTMENT ONLY. Social
distancing and masks will be required for all visitors to the office.
To schedule an appointment please call 518-489-8110 or email Member
Care.
Store Hours are Tuesday-Thursday 10:00 am - 2:00
pm Curbside Pick up in Albany only. Please call the store at
518.489.8110 extension 105 for payment and to schedule a pick-up time
from the Albany council location. Curbside retail and product program
delivery will still be permitted in the yellow and orange zone. Troop
leaders and volunteers may still arrange contact-less delivery and
pick up of supplies with families in the yellow and orange zone. We do
not yet have enough information to determine additional impacts of the
red zone and are monitoring guidance from NYS.
We have
taken enhanced health and safety measures—for you, our other guests,
and staff. You must follow all posted instructions while visiting Girl
Scouts of Northeastern New York.
An inherent risk of
exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are
present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to
severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical
conditions are especially vulnerable.
By visiting Girl
Scouts you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to
COVID-19. Help keep each other healthy.
Troop, Group, and Service Unit In-Person Gatherings
Meetings
Do not attend in-person meetings/events if you are sick, or if
you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. Girls
should not attend in-person meetings if they are sick, experiencing
any symptoms of illness, or have been around someone with COVID-19 in
the past 14 days.
When conducting in-person meetings,
follow all regulations from the CDC and from the governor’s office.
Use the following resources:
CDC
Website on Consideration for Events and Gatherings
NYS
on Travel, Gatherings, and Quarantines
These websites
are updated frequently. GSNENY will also be adhering to these
guidelines for property usage.
When meeting in-person
please keep in mind how individuals can clean their hands (access to
handwashing stations or hand sanitizer), avoid sharing supplies, and
how the space will be cleaned prior to Girl’s arrival. Any supplies
purchased to keep the Troop/Service Unit safe can be purchased with
Troop funds. You are welcome to utilize this COVID check sheet when
meeting in-person, but it is not required (link to COVID form). If
troops would like to utilize GSNENY properties for their meetings
please see our
policies here.
Yellow Zone – If the county your troop meets is placed into a yellow zone the meeting size for your group is decreased to 25 people including adults.
Orange & Red Zones – If the county your troop meets is placed into an orange or red zone your group must halt in-person meetings. Please consider meeting virtually or utilizing GSNENY virtual events if your county is in an orange or red zone. If your troop would like to utilize the Girl Scout discount for a Zoom License please visit here to pay and request your license.
Travel
COVID-19 cases and deaths have been reported in all 50 states, and
the situation is constantly changing. Because travel increases your
chances of getting infected and spreading COVID-19, staying home is
the best way to protect yourself and others from getting sick.
Do not attend in-person meetings/events if you are sick,
or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
Girls should not attend in-person meetings if they are sick,
experiencing any symptoms of illness, or have been around someone with
COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
Any travel on a cruise
ship, regardless of destination, or to a US Department of State
"Level 3 - Reconsider Travel" - location, should be
immediately canceled or re-routed.
Do not travel if you are
sick, or if you have been around someone with COVID-19 in the past
14 days. Do not travel with someone who is sick.
If Girls or
leaders choose to travel outside of NYS regardless, GSNENY will not be
held responsible.
Do not travel to any NYS County that is in orange or red zones. If you travel to a county that is in a yellow zone you must follow the meeting size of 25 people.
Follow state and local travel restrictions. For up-to-date
information and travel guidance, check the state
or local health department where you are, along your route, and
at your planned destination. While you are traveling, it is possible a
state or local government may put into place travel restrictions, such
as stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders, mandated quarantines upon
arrival, or even state border closures. Plan to keep checking for
updates as you travel.
Before traveling anywhere,
including inside of NYS, check the CDC website for current hotspots
and travel advisories. In particular refer to this page: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-in-the-us.html and
avoid states that have shown an increase in cases in the last seven
days. Follow all CDC and Department of Health Guidelines.
Use of GSNENY Rentals and Camp Properties
Camping will be allowed on GSNENY properties, as well as other forms
of overnights such as She and Me and Fish and Games. If you decide to
camp, each family must bring their own camp gear such as tents, and
groups must stay in their own camping area. No two groups may be
housed in the same unit/building. Please follow the CDC Guidelines
and the New York State Guidelines on gatherings below.
CDC
Website on Consideration for Events and Gatherings
NYS
on Travel, Gatherings, and Quarantines
GSNENY Counties that are currently in a microcluster zone
Yellow Zone:
None
Orange Zone:
None
Red Zone:
None
For more information about NYS microcluster strategy please see the NYS Governor’s website: https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-details-covid-19-micro-cluster-metrics
