Distance Learning During Coronavirus School Closures
Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has turned the world as we know it upside down, to say the least. Millions of families are trying to keep the learning alive at home amid virus-related school closures—even while they attempt to adjust to their own work-from-home realities, stock up on household essentials, and do everything in their power to keep their loved ones healthy. Frankly? It’s a lot.
The good news is that even though you’re social distancing (staying in when possible and keeping at least six feet away from those not in your household), you’re absolutely not alone in this struggle. We talked to a few teachers who’ve been there, done that, and they had some amazingly practical advice for how everyday families can get through this difficult time.
It’s undeniable that 2020 has been a challenging year for many of us, but that doesn’t mean it needs to dampen our holiday spirit. Even though activities may look differently this year, the holidays are still a perfect opportunity to spend time with your family and spread cheer to others.
Girl Scout Cyrene and her family recently rented Manuel Lodge at Camp Seven Hills
Family Property Rentals are now available
For a limited time, we are opening our property rentals to private households at the Girl Scout rate. COVID-19 guidelines have affected the number of girls and troops who have been able to rent our properties, and we want to ensure that girls still have the opportunity to get outside and enjoy our properties with their families. You can read the FAQs here.
The Online Cookie Program is happening now We are more than a week into our online sales! If you have questions, use the button below to find resources for cookie sellers. We also have a recorded training for parents/guardians (password: BEAMAZING).
The programs listed above are available as of December 10, 2020. All programs are virtual unless otherwise noted. To view more programs, visit gswny.org.
The results are in! Congratulations to our winners below and thank you to everyone who participated in our Fall Foliage Contest.
There are three categories for both Girl and Adult Submissions: Best Fall Composition, Best Fall Foliage, and Best Fall Family Portrait/Selfie. Winners will be receiving their prizes in the mail. The winners are…
As promised last week, we are including updates to our COVID-19 guidelines for the yellow, orange and red zones. We continue to review and assess GSWNY guidelines based on CDC, NYS and county guidelines.
The major change is that we have updated our orange zone restrictions. Effective 12-8-20, in-person meetings and programs can now occur in a county with orange zone designation, but the size must be limited to 10 people or less.
As always, in-person activities are optional, and virtual and at-home programs are the safest way to participate in Girl Scouting. Any in-person activities must follow safety guidelines.
Thank you for all that you do to keep Girl Scouting available for our girls. We hope that you and your family have a safe and peaceful holiday season.
Please see the important announcements below and for questions, please contact Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410. In an emergency, please call 1-800-882-9268.
Family Property Rentals
For a limited time, we are opening our property rentals to private households at the Girl Scout rate. COVID-19 guidelines have affected the number of girls and troops who have been able to rent our properties, and we want to ensure that girls still have the opportunity to get outside and enjoy our properties with their families. Here are some FAQs for families about renting our properties.
How do I make a reservation? Go to our Camp Property Rental page to find available accommodations and reserve your space. Be sure to choose the Girl Scout rates.
What is a private household? Private households encompass anyone who you regularly live with. Groups cannot exceed 10 people and should not mix multiple households.
Who can attend? Each private household must include at least one registered Girl Scout.
What are the accommodations like? Each of our heated buildings includes a kitchen space and beds with mattresses. Families will need to bring food, cookware and bedding.
What about insurance? Anyone who is not a registered Girl Scout will need non Girl Scout insurance. After booking your space, our Customer Care team will work with you to purchase the insurance. The minimum fee is $5.
Where can we go? Family Property Rentals are available at all four of our camp properties. We’re currently taking these specific reservations until May 1st, 2021.
What are the COVID-19 guidelines? Private households do not have to wear masks while in their reserved cabin. However, we do ask that you wear masks while out on the trail, in case you run into others. All accommodations include hand sanitizer and cleaners. In addition to leaving the space clean, we require that all groups sanitize surfaces upon departure. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our Customer Care team at customercare@gswny.org or 1-888-837-6410.
Girl Scouts: We want to hear from you!
We are looking for 6 girls to join the Recruitment Team for a Facebook Live conversation. Are you having a good Girl Scout Troop experience that you want to share? Is your troop meeting virtually? Have you completed a badge? Have you completed a community service project? If you answered yes to any of these questions, are a current Daisy-Cadette Girl Scout and have a story to share please complete the survey below and a member of the GSWNY Recruitment Team will contact you about joining an upcoming Facebook Live Conversation on your experience.
Great News: We’re Live! Our refreshed Girl Scout member account management system is LIVE and we’re so excited! Over the last couple of weeks Girl Scouts has been busy making updates to My GS to make it easier than ever to manage your household’s Girl Scout memberships and keep track of your Girl Scout experiences. To get started, you’ll need to reset your account password.
To help, Girl Scouts will be sending a special email to members and household account managers containing a link to reset your Girl Scout account password. Look for the email to arrive sometime today, if it hasn’t already. Once you receive your email, simply click on the Reset Password link, follow the steps provided, and you’ll be all set to begin exploring Girl Scouts’ new member portal! Can’t find the email? We understand. Emails can land in Junk folders or simply get lost in today’s crowded inboxes. You can still get started. From the council’s website, www.gswny.org , click on My GS and follow the system provided prompts and guidance.
Of course, if you have any trouble, be sure to reach out to Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410 (hours listed below) and we’ll be happy to support and welcome you to our refreshed Girl Scout member platform!
Monday | 8:30-12:00 (closed 12-1) 1:00-4:30
Tuesday | 8:30-12:00 (closed 12-2) 2:00-4:30
Wednesday |11:00-1:00 (closed 1-2) 2:00-6:00
Thursday | 8:30-12:00 (closed 12-2) 2:00-4:30
Friday | 8:30-12:00 (closed 12-1) 1:00-4:30
Professional Zoom Licenses for Troops
GSUSA has subsidized the cost of professional Zoom licenses for troops. The monthly fee will be $3 per month ($36 per year).
Licenses can be purchased by troops using troop funds, or troops can request financial aid support through the Council Opportunity Fund.
There is only one license per troop available, and the license is good through July 31, 2021. Use the button below to request your Zoom license today.
Retail Item of the Week: Stocking Stuffers & Holiday Gifts for your Girl Scout!
The Holidays are right around the corner and it’s time to fill those stockings! Check out these items that are perfect for the holidays and are sure to put a smile on the Girl Scout in your life’s face!
GSWNY Knit Pom-Pom Hat – $23
Trefoil Antibacterial Door Opener – $5
GSWNY Girl Scout Strong Pencil – $.50
Mini Trefoil Notebook – $4
GSWNY Girl Scout Strong Water Bottle – $20
Remember, your local Girl Scout Shop is open for CURBSIDE PICKUP ONLY. Please email your local shop with your order and we will call you back for payment and to schedule a pickup time.
How to Order:
Place your order via email by emailing the shop location you want to pick it up from. Include a daytime phone number for the shop staff to contact you.
Await confirmation from the shop staff that your order is complete with the total amount due.
Make payment via debit or credit card and choose pick up day and time with retail staff during confirmation call. Current Pick up hours: Monday from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM & Wednesday 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
Arrive at scheduled location on pick up day and time.
Last week the invitation went out to all Co-leaders and Service Unit Finance Consultants and it looked like this….Did you get yours?
If you haven’t received your Cheddar Up invitation (don’t forget to check your junk mail!) please reach out to your Service Unit Finance Consultant and let her know. She will work with the Volunteer Experience Manager to insure an invitation gets sent to you.
Call All Seniors and Ambassadors with Holiday Spirit!
Join Scrooge, The Grinch, and all the other bah-hum-buggers as we take some of my (and hopefully your) favorite winter song classics and create new and funny singalongs. Bring your vocals, bring your lyrics, bring your ideas, or just bring your ears as we transform “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” into “Got Another Splinter in my Hand” and many more.
Looking for ways to stay involved with Girl Scouts? Check out our Girl Scouting at Home page today! New resources are added regularly.
Looking for more options? Head to girlscouts.org for even more at-home opportunities for your Girl Scout.
Girl Scouts Doing Good Things
Troop 31262 spent time during their virtual meeting making holiday cards to send to a local nursing home!
We are #GirlScoutStrong! Looking forward to talking to you next Tuesday! In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410. In an emergency, please call 1-800-882-9268.
Dear Parents, Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts, Siblings, and Friends:
Camping has always been a long standing tradition in Girl Scouts were girls can get outdoors to reconnect and embrace the wonders of nature. To explore and experience Camps: Endless Summer Adventures.
This holiday season, you can give your girl the unforgettable gift of Girl Scout camp, no matter what it looks like. Whether it’s alternative programming or in-person camp, this is a present she’s sure to love. She’ll get a week making new friends, trying new things, expanding her knowledge, and having fun throughout it all. These are just a few of the things Girl Scout camp has to offer.
It’s more than just a week spent at camp–you’re also helping her build courage, confidence, and character, and empowering her to learn skills that last a lifetime. Purchase a Camp Gift Certificate* and give the gift of joy to your favorite girl. Camp Gift Certificates can be purchased in any amount by calling 1-888-837-6410 or by stopping in to any of our service centers.
The 2021 Summer Camp Catalog goes live January 12, 2021, at www.gswny.org and will outline all of our overnight and day camp options at our four camps – Camp Timbercrest, Camp Seven Hills, Camp Piperwood and Camp Windy Meadows. Check it out to see all of the coming excitement!
Alternative Camp: At GSWNY we know how important it is for girls to have a wonderful summer camp experience. We also want to assure you that we have every intention of operating summer camp 2021 in person. However, if the need should arise, we will be prepared to provide your girls with an amazing alternative camp program. Additional information about alternative camp programming can be found on our website at gswny.org.
Wishing you and yours a joyous holiday season and peace, happiness and prosperity in the coming year!
Yours In Scouting, The Girl Scouts of Western New York Summer Camp Team
*Certificates are non-refundable and are redeemable during registration time in January 2021.
Please note: Our offices are closed the following dates: Wednesday, December 23 (at 3 p.m.) through Friday, January 1. Normal business hours resume Monday, January 4, 2021.
Today’s the big day! Place an online order with your local Girl Scout! Don’t know a Girl Scout? Please customercare@gswny.org and we’ll assist you!
Think Outside the Cookie Box
Inside: Delicious cookies for you Outside: Amazing experiences for girls
What’s inside the box is super tasty, but it’s the amazing experiences that happen outside the cookie box that make Girl Scout Cookies® extra special.
When you make a Girl Scout Cookie purchase, you’re helping the next generation of young female entrepreneurs get an important taste of what it takes to be successful—teamwork, planning, and a positive outlook (and that’s just the beginning).
Because proceeds from your purchase stay local, you help the awesome entrepreneurs who sell Girl Scout Cookies in your community power new experiences for themselves and their troop.
When you support her success through the Girl Scout Cookie Program®, you’re narrowing the entrepreneurship gap between women and men by nurturing that go-getter spirit early on and equipping her with the confidence and know-how to dream big and do bigger.
Your cookie purchase is an investment in the world-changing business leaders of tomorrow!
It’s undeniable 2020 has been a challenging year for many of us, but that doesn’t mean it needs to dampen our holiday spirit. Even though they make look different this year, the holidays are still a perfect opportunity to spend time with your family and spread cheer to others.
Here are some ideas for your family to enjoy the season while remaining safe and healthy:
Share family memories and traditions over Zoom
You may not be gathering in person, but you can still reminisce about years past and annual traditions with your extended family. Schedule a time to gather together virtually and consider playing games or making similar snacks to bring you all together in spirit.
Make homemade gifts and cards together
Whether you’re making cards to send to friends and family or baking cookies to package for your delivery people, there are so many ways to create handmade presents that leave hearts aglow. Even better, there’s an option for every skill and age level! It doesn’t matter if your family are craft masters or just entering the world of DIY, there are options for you.
Drive around and look at the Christmas lights
Whether it’s an official display or enthusiastic neighbors, there are likely ways to enjoy the holiday nights in your neighborhood. Load up your car, put on some of your favorite holiday tunes, and enjoy the twinkling displays.
Find ways to give back
Even if you can’t volunteer in person, there are many ways to give back to others this holiday season. Consider donating old toys and clothes to local organizations, purchasing meals for a food pantry, sending cards to a nursing home, and making monetary donations to charity.
Do random acts of kindness together
Spread your cheer to the world around you by engaging your family with small acts of kindness. Pay for the food or beverages of the people behind you, hold the door, and let a person or car go ahead of you. In a season that can be busy and stressful, your family can focus on bringing some light to someone else.
Bake together
Baking is another activity that can be very simple or complex, depending on where you fall. You can make sugar cookies from scratch or purchase ready-to-bake dough from the store and then spend time as a family decorating. Not only is this wonderful time together, you get a delicious treat at the end.
What traditions does your family have? Send your stories and photos to communications@gswny.org!
We hope you had a wonderful holiday with your family last week.
We appreciate your flexibility and diligence with following COVID-19 guidelines to ensure the safety of our girls, volunteers and staff. We are continuing to assess the recent yellow and orange zone regulations in our WNY regions and we will be sharing updated information next week in Tuesday’s Member Essentials on December 8.
Please see the important announcements below and for questions, please contact Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410. In an emergency, please call 1-800-882-9268.
GSWNY is holding a Girl Scout Cookie training for troops TONIGHT!
This was previously shared and for those who can’t attend, the recording will be made available by Thursday, December 3 on GSWNY’s website under Cookies+ in the resources section.
We’re opening our online Cookie Program this Saturday, December 5th, which means you can get Girl Scout cookies in time for the holidays!
While social distancing measures may continue to keep families and friends apart, cookie customers will be able to stay connected this season through a gift box option that ships directly to their family and friends via the Smart Cookie online platform.
All cookies will be available for $5 a package.
Consumers will delight in knowing their cookie purchase is an investment in girl leadership in WNY. With every sale, the Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches girls to think like entrepreneurs as they run their small businesses and learn lifelong skills, like goal setting, people skills, and decision—making, which are imperative for any leadership role.
Volunteer of Excellence: GSWNY Adult Recognition Award Monthly Highlight
For the month of December we will explore the Volunteer of Excellence Pin. This is a great award to give as we think about this season of giving! The Volunteer of Excellence is similar to the Appreciation Pin, but is awarded at the Service Unit level, not the council level. This award is approved by your Service Unit Adult Recognition Coordinator or Service Unit Adult Recognition Committee. There is no set deadline to submit a nomination – so it can be given at any time!
From Monday, November 30, to Friday, December 4, we are offering all PLUSH for only $9.95!
Every Girl Scout wants to hang out with the cutest plush around! These huggable plush buddies have a rainbow pattern with “Girl Scouts” embroidery and are perfect to fill every girl’s stocking.
Plush includes: Sloth, Monkey, Narwhal, Lion and Unicorn.
We’re excited because on Sunday, December 6, the new VS 2.0 Go-Live is anticipated to take place! At the time of Go-Live, the system will begin processing 1.8 million member accounts which will start the process to send the “We’re Live!” email to all members who migrated with a unique email address. Accounts are processed in random batches meaning that all council members will not receive their reactivation email at the same time. Emails will be sent in batches, which will continue through Monday December 7.
Starting November 18 at 11:59 PM EST, Girl Scouts began system-wide updates that will temporarily pause access to myGS including your member profile and the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) for approximately 2-3 weeks. Please watch for an email from Girl Scouts in early December announcing the debut of our refreshed member account management system as well as updated login information and instructions for accessing your account.
During system downtime: To continue the fun with your Girl Scout(s) during this time, visit our national Girl Scouts at Home page here for badge and Journey activities, service projects, patches, and event recordings that you can use either in-person or virtually. Visit our GSWNY Troop Leader Blueprint for additional resources here. You can also visit the Girl Scout Shop for printed or downloadable program materials by badge and Journey.
Pop-Up Message: After Login to myGS or VTK – example can be seen in the image to the right.
Given the momentary system updates, if a member or non-member has any trouble joining or renewing their membership online, please use this special digital form here and a Customer Care representative will be in touch or call 1-888-837-6410. Thank you.
Girl Scouting at Home
Looking for ways to stay involved with Girl Scouts? Check out our Girl Scouting at Home page today! New resources are added regularly.
Virtual Girl Scout Badges with the Buffalo Zoo
Dates available throughout 2020 with programs for different Girl Scout levels.
Each badge includes:
Animal demonstrations
Exclusive live views of animal exhibits at the zoo
Badge-related discussions and activities.
Is your troop interested in a badge that’s not listed? Contact us at lthibault@buffalozoo.org and we can set up a custom badge for your group of 10 or more girls.
Daisies from Troop 70720 during a Kidding Around Yoga session from October
Looking for more options? Head to girlscouts.org for even more at-home opportunities for your Girl Scout.
Girl Scouts Doing Good Things
Girl Scout Troop 60755-Millwheel (612) collected for a food drive for the Penfield Food Shelf on November 14, 2020. They gave out flyers the week before and picked up today while being socially distant!
We are #GirlScoutStrong! Looking forward to talking to you next Tuesday! In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410. In an emergency, please call 1-800-882-9268.
For the month of December we will explore the Volunteer of Excellence Pin. This is a great award to give as we think about this season of giving! The Volunteer of Excellence is similar to the Appreciation Pin, but is awarded at the Service Unit level, not the council level. This award is approved by your Service Unit Adult Recognition Coordinator or Service Unit Adult Recognition Committee. There is no set deadline to submit a nomination – so it can be given at any time!
Volunteer of Excellence is an opportunity to recognize volunteers who have contributed outstanding service in support of mission delivery to girl and adult members at a troop or Service Unit level.
What’s a Volunteer of Excellent look like? Carrie took over for five older girls who wanted to stay in Girl Scouts when their former co-leader decided to step down. She encouraged and helped three of her girls to complete their Silver Award and now is encouraging them to complete their Gold Awards. Carrie is an active member of the Service Team and is always willing to help with activities that supports girls. In this example, Carrie is definitely a Volunteer of Excellence!
To earn the Volunteer of Excellence pin, a fellow volunteer must nominate the awardee and one peer reference is needed to endorse the nomination. Download and complete the nomination form, located on the Adult Recognition page of our website, and submit it your Service Unit team. Celebrate the recipients of the Volunteer of Excellence award at Service Unit leaders’ meeting, awards ceremony, or other Service Unit function. Council will acknowledge all awardees in print at our Annual Recognition Event. Remember to submit a complete list of awardees in your Service Unit to Council prior to May 1.
Why is recognizing volunteers so important? Volunteers need to feel appreciated and know that they are having an impact on the community in which they serve. The result is volunteer retention! When volunteers feel appreciated and important, they are more likely to feel connected to the program and continue their involvement. There are several reasons to recognize and celebrate those involved in service: to highlight their achievements, to educate and inspire others, and simply to have fun!
For more information about the Volunteer of Excellence Pin, and all other GSWNY adult awards, please read our Adult Awards and Recognitions Quick Guide or check out our Adult Recognition web page. You can always reach out to a member of the Volunteer Experience team for more information! Connect with us by emailing volunteer@gswny.org. Thank you for all that you do!
On Monday, November 23, 2020, parts of Monroe and Erie Counties were placed into the orange zone.
As we communicated with members last week, any county placed into the orange or red zone will need to suspend in-person Girl Scout programs and meetings.
All Girl Scout in-person programs and meetings in Monroe and Erie Counties are suspended Tuesday, 11-24-20 until further notice. This includes girls and adults residing in Monroe and Erie Counties, and any in-person program or meeting taking place in Monroe or Erie Counties.
Parts of Niagara County were placed into the yellow zone last week.
NYS stated they will reassess in 14 days. We are awaiting additional details, along with monitoring the situation throughout our nine counties. We will provide updates as relevant.
Please see the guidelines and FAQs, released 11/17/20 that have further details about the yellow, orange, and red zone restrictions and how they affect Girl Scout programming.
The health and safety of our girls, volunteers, families, and staff are of the utmost importance. We know girls may be disappointed about in-person programs being suspended. There are many ways to participate in Girl Scouts from home including virtual and at-home meetings and activities, badge in the box, etc.
If we can be of any assistance to help volunteers and girls switch to at-home activities, please contact Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410.
Thank you for all that you do to follow the safety guidelines.
Please see the important announcements below and for questions, please contact Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410. In an emergency, please call 1-800-882-9268.
Create moments of joy this holiday season! We’re opening our online Cookie Program Saturday, December 5th, which means you can get Girl Scout cookies in time for the holidays!
While social distancing measures may continue to keep families and friends apart, cookie customers will be able to stay connected this season through a gift box option that ships directly to their family and friends via the Smart Cookie online platform.
All cookies will be available for $5 a package.
Consumers will delight in knowing their cookie purchase is an investment in girl leadership in WNY. With every sale, the Girl Scout Cookie Program teaches girls to think like entrepreneurs as they run their small businesses and learn lifelong skills, like goal setting, people skills, and decision—making, which are imperative for any leadership role.
GSWNY is holding a Girl Scout Cookie training for troops!
We challenge YOU to get out there and Grow Your Girl Crew because what’s better than making new friends? How about making new friends AND winning amazing prizes! From Oct. 22, 2020 to Jan. 31, 2021, we want you to invite your friends and grow your girl crew!
From patches with charms to Air Pods, we have prizes to give you when you have new girls join. All you have to do is invite them, make sure they register, and then you win! We have three tiers of rewards available for you to win.
Visit gswny.org/join to read more about the campaign and how you can win. We’re also going live Dec. 10 to show you the prizes in real life. You can join us on Instagram or Facebook.
Cyber Monday Week Sale! Exclusive Preview!
From Monday, November 30, to Friday, December 4, we are offering all PLUSH for only $9.95!
Every Girl Scout wants to hang out with the cutest plush around! These huggable plush buddies have a rainbow pattern with “Girl Scouts” embroidery and are perfect to fill every girl’s stocking.
Plush includes: Sloth, Monkey, Narwhal, Lion and Unicorn.
Please note, that the GSWNY council will be closed starting at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 25. All Curbside Orders received via email after this date will be responded to starting Monday, November 30.
Still collecting cash and checks?
Now you can collect money online at zero cost to your troop. Create a collection page in minutes and share your link. All payments and information are tracked automatically and can be exported to Excel for easy reviewing.
Cheddar Up is the easiest way to collect money and forms online!
It’s a digital payment and tracking tool
December 2020, coleaders will receive an invitation from Cheddar Up to open an account. Friendlysupport@cheddarup.com – Please check your junk email too!
Accept payments for registration, uniforms, camporee, field trips, etc.
No additional charge to the troop. A flat .45 fee to the payee – which costs less than a stamp! The troop does have the option to absorb this cost.
Cheddar Up provides all the training the Troop Treasurer will need.
Starting November 18 at 11:59 PM EST, Girl Scouts began system-wide updates that will temporarily pause access to myGS including your member profile and the Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) for approximately 2-3 weeks. Please watch for an email from Girl Scouts in early December announcing the debut of our refreshed member account management system as well as updated login information and instructions for accessing your account.
During system downtime: To continue the fun with your Girl Scout(s) during this time, visit our national Girl Scouts at Home page here for badge and Journey activities, service projects, patches, and event recordings that you can use either in-person or virtually. Visit our GSWNY Troop Leader Blueprint for additional resources here . You can also visit the Girl Scout Shop for printed or downloadable program materials by badge and Journey.
Thank you for your patience while we work to enhance your Girl Scout member experience.
Pop-Up Message: After Login to myGS or VTK – example can be seen in the image to the right.
Given the momentary system updates, if a member or non-member has any trouble joining or renewing their membership online, please use this special digital form here and a Customer Care representative will be in touch or call 1-888-837-6410. Thank you.
Girl Scouting at Home
Looking for ways to stay involved with Girl Scouts? Check out our Girl Scouting at Home page today! New resources are added regularly.
Looking for more options? Head to girlscouts.org for even more at-home opportunities for your Girl Scout.
Girl Scouts Doing Good Things
Troop 60516 made Thanksgiving cards for a senior care center.
We are #GirlScoutStrong! Looking forward to talking to you next Tuesday! In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410. In an emergency, please call 1-800-882-9268.
Today, Erie County was placed into the orange zone with school closings beginning Monday, November 23.
As we communicated with members yesterday, any county placed into the orange or red zone will need to suspend in-person Girl Scout programs and meetings.
All Girl Scout in-person programs and meetings in Erie County will be suspended in line with school guidelines, beginning Monday 11-23-20 until further notice. This includes girls and adults residing in Erie county, and any in-person program or meeting taking place in Erie County.
Parts of Niagara County were placed into the yellow zone today. GSWNY in-person activities are already following yellow zone guidelines effective 11-10-20 so there is no additional change.
Please see the guidelines and FAQs, released 11/17/20 that have further details about the yellow, orange and red zone restrictions and how they affect Girl Scout programming.
The health and safety of our girls, volunteers, families, and staff are of the utmost importance. We know girls may be disappointed about in-person programs being suspended. There are many ways to participate in Girl Scouts from home including virtual and at-home meetings and activities, badge in the box, etc.
If we can be of any assistance to help volunteers and girls switch to at-home activities, please contact Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410.
Thank you for all that you do to follow the safety guidelines.
Alison Wilcox CEO, Girl Scouts of Western New York
Dear GSWNY Members, The safety of our members is our first priority and given COVID-19 that means following GSWNY’s Updated 11-17-20 safety guidelines and FAQs , washing hands, wearing masks, social distancing, and staying home when needed.
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. Currently, Erie and Monroe counties have been placed in the yellow zone. GSWNY applied the yellow zone restrictions across all 9 county areas last week and will continue for the time being. This affected GSWNY’s gathering size only, and changed from a maximum of 50 people permitted to 25.
Girl Scouts strive to always be prepared. If any county is placed in the 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 Erie County will be placed into the orange or red 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, GSWNY will give full refunds for any in-person program or property rental for GSWNY events, activities, and properties
Curbside retail and product program delivery will still be permitted in the orange zone. Troop leaders and volunteers may still arrange contact-less delivery and pick up of supplies with families in the 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. At-home 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 an orange or red zone, and we need to suspend in-person programs, GSWNY will notify all members by email, on our social media pages, update our blog, and website.
Please see the important announcements below and for questions, please contact Customer Care customercare@gswny.org or call 1-888-837-6410. In an emergency, please call 1-800-882-9268.
