Working Together to Keep Our Girl Scout Community Safe

Updated: April 6, 2020

Check out our new Girl Scouts at Home page! We will be updating it with new badge activities, programs, and more virtual resources.

ALL council-wide Girl Scout gatherings for members (camps, programs, troop and service unit meetings) are suspended from March 16-May 12. 

A Letter to our Members | April 3, 2020.
A Letter to our Members | March 27, 2020.
A Letter to our Members | March 20, 2020.
A Letter to our Volunteers | March 13, 2020.
A Letter to our Volunteers | March 12, 2020.

We are closing our offices and shops to the public. Our staff is available by phone and email (we are working remotely).

Girl Scout Shops

All shops are closed for in person transactions. Shipping fees for orders place through our Council shops will be waived during this period. Contact the main shop at 202-274-3312 or gsshop@gscnc.org and leave a message with your name and daytime phone number. Thank you for your patience.

Online shopping is also available. Please check to determine shipping charges.

Event Updates: 

• Due to current events, the Great Girl Gathering Camporee originally scheduled for May 15-17. 2020, has been suspended and rescheduled for May 14-16, 2021. Refunds are being issued for all active registrants at this time.
• Saturday, May 9, 2020 | In Your Honor
  Cancelled
• Saturday, May 2, 2020 | Girl Scout Day at the Nationals
  Postponed to September 20, 2020
• Saturday, March 14, 2020 | Girl Scouts Air & Space Day
  Suspended
• Saturday, March 21, 2020 | Girl Scout Day at Hillwood
  Rescheduling TBA
• Saturday, March 28, 2020 | Robotic Workshop at UMD
  Rescheduled May 9, 2020
• Saturday, April 18, 2020 | Annual Meeting
  Changed to a virtual meeting:
  Information for Council Delegates and Alternatives
  Information for Girl Scout Families attending as a guest
  
• Saturday, April 18, 2020 | Girl Scout Day at Intel
  Suspended
• Saturday, April 18, 2020 | Make the Connection, Me to We
  Rescheduling TBA
• Sunday, April 26, 2020 | Girl Scout Night at DC United
  Postponed
• Sunday, May 3, 2020 | Endangered Species Day 
  Rescheduling TBA

Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital is closely monitoring the COVID-19 updates from the Centers for Disease Control, the  World Health Organization, and the local public health departments for the District of Columbia and each of the 25 counties and cities within our council boundaries. 

Girl Scout events are similar to schools, and we are paying close attention to local guidance around school closures. 

Here are the additional things we are doing to keep our community clean and safe:

• We are keeping our properties well-stocked with supplies needed to reduce the spread of germs. 
• All staff members who are ill will be sent home.
• We are encouraging all members who are sick or are at a higher risk for serious illness to not attend Girl Scout meetings, programs, or events.
• We advise all service units to follow CDC-recommended hygiene measures at their large group gatherings.
• We advise our service units and members to consider buying cancelation insurance for any upcoming large Girl Scout event or travel.

Girl Scout large gatherings.

• The CDC has indicated that this is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation, please understand we will update information as decisions are made based on the best information at the time. We understand that the COVID-19 is a serious concern for our members and leave the final decision to participate in Girl Scout events to families. When circumstances change, we are prepared to follow the recommendations of the CDC and local health departments to ensure the health and safety of our members.
• The Council is reviewing the status of Council-sponsored programs and events. Decisions to postpone, reschedule and/or cancel any events will be made two weeks before each event.
• For Girl Scout events managed by outside vendors (i.e. Girl Scout Day at the Nationals) check with the vendor regarding cancelations or refunds.

Increase hygiene at Girl Scout events, such as:

• Try to maintain at least 6 feet of physical space between you and other people.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer can be used in a pinch.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Do not cough into your hands and always wash your hands after coughing or sneezing if you use a tissue.

Be a Source of Comfort and Calm for Girls

• Girl Scouts of the USA has developed a helpful resource for How to Talk to Your Girl About Coronavirus to help minimize stress and worry in your Girl Scout’s life and give her a sense of calm and control.
• Thank you for your help in keeping Girl Scouts a safe, fun space for everyone! If you have questions about how novel coronavirus may impact Girl Scout activities, please contact us at customercare@gscnc.org,  800-523-7898—we're here for you.