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COVID-19 Information

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At Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama we take nothing more seriously than the safety and well-being of our members. As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to be of growing concern in Alabama and our nation, we will take all possible and appropriate measures to ensure girls continue to have a safe, fun, one-of-a-kind experience at Girl Scouts. Please remember, information is changing rapidly and we will do our best to keep you informed.

Recent Communications Regarding COVID-19
Please refer to the most recent communications for current information and recommendations. Below are links to emails we have sent out to all GSNCA members. If you are not receiving these emails, please contact us at [email protected].

Frequently Asked Questions

Cookie Program


Due to uncertainty in our communities regarding the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus, Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama is proactively suspending the booth sale portion of the program starting Monday, March 16, 2020. For those troops that have applied for an Extension, please implement alternative ways to continue your cookie program.

  • April 19th is the last day for the Cookie Program. The DOC will not accept new orders past 11:59 pm on this date.
  • TCMs should enter all receipts in eBudde and ensure inventory is distributed correctly.
  • By 11:59 pm April 23rd, TCMs submit the reward choices your girls have made. Pay attention to shirt sizes (only YS, YM, AS, AM, AL, and AXL available). Any rewards not submitted by the due date will be submitted at a later date with no guarantee of timely delivery
  • April 24th SUCMs will receive a list of their remaining troops’ balances.
  • SUCMs should review the rewards orders for each troop, then submit the final rewards for their Service Unit by Sunday April 26th, 11:59 pm
  • April 29th the remaining balance your troop owes the council will be withdrawn
  • Please contact [email protected] with any questions. 


Here are ideas to complete your cookie program:

  • Digital Cookie will be extended to April 19, 2020.  Encourage your girls to send out additional emails to close friends and family.  A personal note – “Help our troop finish strong. We have 67 packages of cookies remaining. You can still purchase cookies.” For “porch drops” please first consider advice by local public health officials. Girls can send with a parent to work with a thank you note – or you can donate them to a local nursing home, first responders, a feeding program or charity of choice.   Please note that some nursing homes, first responders, etc. are discouraging public touches. Please reach out to them first. Your troop might wait to deliver the cookies until after the state of emergency is lifted. 
  • Virtual Booth Sale – Host a virtual booth sale via social media.  Again, provide a safe delivery method or specify a charity of your troop’s choice. Please refrain from making broad asks for help on large audience sites. A post on your page asking friends and family to support your troop is okay. Posting to a marketplace site is not. 
  • Reach out to family, friends, church members, and other local contacts and request their assistance to help your troop finish strong.
Troop Meetings and Events

Based on recent updates from school districts and public health officials all Girl Scout meetings and events are suspended. We will be sharing opportunities to earn badges, patches and participate in programs virtually and at home soon. Please be on the lookout for weekly Program Updates in your email inbox. If you are not receiving our emails, please contact us at  [email protected].

Service Centers and Retail Shops

Service Centers and Retail Shops will be closed to the public beginning Monday, March 16th, and will remain closed until further notice. We are available to receive your orders by phone and email and during this time will ship at no charge. Click here to order online

 

GSNCA Events, Training and Troop Meetings

All in-person council-sponsored and community partner girl and volunteer programs, trainings, and events are suspended. We will issue refunds to all individuals and groups scheduled to attend programs, trainings, and events scheduled through April 30, 2020.  We will continue to monitor and make announcements on other events as soon as possible.


Camps are closed through April 30, 2020.  You can cancel or postpone your scheduled camp rental by contacting  [email protected].  Our camp team is following heightened disinfection protocols at all camp properties, pending the availability of disinfectant products.

Troop travel (foreign, domestic, and in-state) is suspended through June 30. As the situation changes, this date may be altered based on circumstances.

GSNCA Annual Meeting

The GSNCA Annual Meeting will now be held on  May 16, 2020.  The meeting will be held at Kanawahala Program Center. Click here to RSVP for the meeting.  

 

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

Girl Scouts of the USA has developed a  helpful resource for How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus to help minimize stress and worry in your Girl Scout’s life and give her a sense of calm and control.

Be Prepared! Minimize Your Risk

The CDC has shared the following things you can do to minimize your risk of contracting any virus:

  • Stay home when you are not feeling well.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • If you leave the house, shower and clean your clothes when you return home.

 

Contact Information

If you have questions about how the coronavirus may impact Girl Scout activities, please contact Jennifer Sholund at  [email protected] or Karen Peterlin at  [email protected].

For Cookies contact: Sara Stutsman at  [email protected].

For Camp reservations contact: Amy Anderson at  [email protected].

For Programs contact Laura Elliott at [email protected].

For Highest Awards contact: Katie Smith at  [email protected].

For Communications contact: Jennifer Sholund at  [email protected].