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COVID-19 Important Updates & Frequently Asked Questions

We have launched new resources for girls and families.
Click here to visit our new Girl Scouts at Home web page.

The safety and welfare of our girls is Girl Scouts of Western Washington’s top priority. We are hearing from our community, and many families and volunteers are concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in our state. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. We will be adding frequently asked questions to this document as they come up. If you have a question, please email customercare@girlscoutsww.org or call 1-800- 541-9852.

Recent Communications Regarding COVID-19

Please note, the earlier communications on this list are now out-of-date. Please refer to the most recent communications for current information and recommendations.

Does Girl Scouts of Western Washington have an online conferencing tool that my Troop or Service Unit can use to meet virtually while public gatherings are discouraged/prohibited due to COVID-19?

It is unfortunate that COVID-19 is interfering with Girl Scouts’ ability to meet and learn together. Thank you all for taking steps to ensure the safety of girls in this difficult time. While we cannot endorse or support specific online meeting tools for your use, we are aware of several tools troops and Service Units are using for virtual meetings. See below for a list of free and low-cost tools that could be useful to you. We encourage troop leaders to look at these and alternative options and discuss with parents and girls to determine what the best solution is for your troop’s needs. 

Video and Audio-Conferencing Tools with free versions 

While all of these options have a free version, please note you may be prompted to consider their upgraded versions for a subscription fee.

  • Zoom - FAQ
    • Note: Meetings durations maximum of 40 minutes in free version
  • Skype - Support
    • Note: Up to 10 participants free
  • Webex – Help Center
    • Note: Limited file and content sharing in free version

Chat and Collaboration Tools with free versions

Additional low-cost tools for collaboration and conferencing to consider if the above options do not meet your group's needs.

What is Girl Scouts of Western Washington doing in response to COVID-19?

Girl Scouts of Western Washington is actively monitoring the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Washington State Department of Health as well as King County Public Health so we can respond quickly to any shifts in their recommendations. Based on public health authorities’ current guidance, GSWW has updated our recommendations for Girl Scouts across our council. We will also be taking several actions to support the health and well-being of our girls, members, and the community:

  • We’ve made the difficult decision to end the public portion of our Cookie Program immediately in all 17 counties of our council effective as of 8 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2020. We will be accepting returns of all unsold cookies. Please contact your Troop Cookie Volunteers for information on how to make this choice and how to return unused cookie inventory.
  • All GSWW programming, both council-led and volunteer-led, is cancelled through April 27, 2020, potentially longer depending on civic and public authority directives. All volunteer-led activities and programs—these include but aren’t limited to troop meetings and Encamporees—should be held virtually only. This guidance extends to events held on or off Girl Scout property. 
    • Options for virtual meetings are shared above. 
    • Registered participants will be contacted about cancellations and refunds as quickly as possible when decisions are made.
  • GSWW staff are working closely with 3rd party partners who offer programming to Girl Scout members to determine the best course of action, and 3rd party partners will be in contact directly with registered attendees regarding these events.
  • All GSWW offices and stores will be closed to the public through April 27, 2020, and these closures will be reassessed at that time. Our aim is to follow the request of the public health authorities and minimize people gathering together.
    • Girl Scout camps and Troop Houses are closed through April 27, 2020, with closures reassessed and potentially extended at that time.
    • Staff will be telecommuting and Customer Care will continue to be available at customercare@girlscoutsww.org and 800-541-9852. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

This is a quickly evolving situation and we will stay in touch with members about any additional changes in public health recommendations and how they affect Girl Scout programming.

If a school or school district closes, will GSWW close also?

GSWW will not be following school or school district closures. Schools may be closed in order to clean them fully, which would not impact Girl Scout programming happening elsewhere in the community. In addition, local health authorities may have different recommendations for schools than for community organizations. We will be relying on the recommendations of public health entities such as the CDC and the Washington State Department of Health. 

Following recommendations from local public health authorities, all Girl Scouts of Western Washington offices, stores, camp properties and troop houses will be closed until further notice. Staff will be telecommuting. Customer Care will continue to be available at customercare@girlscoutsww.org and 800-541-9852. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Will you be canceling any programs? How much notice will you give if you cancel any programs? Will we receive full refunds?

All GSWW programming, both council-led and volunteer-led, is canceled through April 27, 2020, potentially longer depending on civic and public authority directives. All volunteer-led activities and programs—these include but aren’t limited to troop meetings and Encamporees—should be held virtually only. This guidance extends to events held on or off Girl Scout property.

Girl Scout camps and Troop Houses are closed through April 27, 2020, with closures reassessed and potentially extended at that time.

As always, if council-led programs or events need to be canceled, registered participants will receive refunds. Due to the evolving nature of this situation, cancellations may have to be made with short notice, for instance in the case of a public health directive. We will do our best to contact all those affected as quickly as possible.

Non-health-related cancellations must be received by the published registration deadline to get a refund or to transfer to a different course. Cancellations received after the published registration deadline are not refundable.

What about 3rd Party Events offered exclusively to Girl Scouts?

3rd Party Program Partners who offer events that are exclusively for Girl Scout members (like a badge workshop, journey workshop, etc.) have been asked to cancel and refund program fees to all Girl Scout participants. Ultimately, it is up to the discretion of each Program Partner to determine their cancellation and refund policy. We encourage registrants to reach out directly to the hosting organization to inquire about their cancellation terms and policies. GSWW cannot issue refunds for 3rd Party Events or Programming. We apologize for the inconvenience.

What about 3rd Party Events that include Girl Scouts and others?

3rd Party Program Partners who are hosting events that are open to Girl Scouts and others (like a theater program or sporting event) will make their own determination about any cancellations/refunds. We encourage those who have registered or purchased tickets to reach out to the hosting organization to inquire about their cancellation terms and policies. GSWW cannot issue refunds for 3rd Party Events. We apologize for the inconvenience.

What steps can girls and volunteers take to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Please follow all of the steps recommended by the CDC (see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html). The same simple steps that prevent the spread of ordinary flu viruses work against COVID-19 and other illnesses:

  • Clean your hands often

    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
    • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
    • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Avoid close contact

    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
    • Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

  • Cover coughs and sneezes

    • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
    • Throw used tissues in the trash.
    • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

  • Wear a facemask if you are sick

    • If you are sick:  You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
    • If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

  • Clean and disinfect

    • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
    • If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

Having trouble finding hand sanitizer? Good thing we're Girl Scouts! Try making some at home with this recipe.

Following recommendations from local public health authorities, we are recommending that all members cancel or delay troop meetings, Encamporees and volunteer-led programming events. Information about virtual meeting options is available above.

What’s happening with the Cookie Program? What will happen with cookie inventory if I or my family is affected by COVID-19?

Girls’ health and safety is our top priority. We are actively monitoring the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Washington State Department of Health as well as local public health authorities so we can respond quickly to any shifts in their recommendations.  

In response to recommendations from public health authorities, as of 8 p.m. March 13, we are ending the public phase of the Cookie Sale. Members should contact their Troop Cookie Volunteers for information on how to return unused cookie inventory.

GSWW still wants to support our Cookie Bosses to be successful! With that in mind, we will be spreading the word through the community that there are other options to purchase Girl Scout Cookies:

  • We are encouraging those who know a Girl Scout to purchase through that girl's Digital Cookie storefront. In order to support girls’ cookie sales, GSWW will subsidize Digital Cookie Program costs from March 13-22, so that cookie customers can receive discounted shipping rates during the last three days of the sale. Click here to learn more.
  • For those customers who may not know a Girl Scout, we’ve created a council Digital Cookie storefront so that they can still purchase Girl Scout Cookies. We've taken this step only because of this extremely unusual situation. All proceeds from our council Digital Cookie sales will stay in our Western Washington council. The troop proceeds of every box, 85 cents, will directly support Financial Assistance. As always, the remaining money raised will support our council programming, including camp, STEM opportunities and more.

If you receive a request for cookie purchases but you are not participating in Digital Cookie, please direct customers to another Girl Scout or the GSWW website at: www.girlscoutsww.org.

   

Questions or concerns?

Contact us using the form below or call 1(800) 541-9852.
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