Please review our troop camping safety guidelines before booking your reservation. Please also review the training drop-down menus below and the Camping Learning Plan for Volunteers before booking, to understand GSEMA troop camping training requirements.
From the start of this pandemic, Girl Scouts have proven themselves to be strong community members, going above and beyond to keep themselves and others safe. COVID-19 remains an extremely contagious virus that spreads easily in the community. Volunteers should take all reasonable precautions to limit potential exposure for Girl Scouts, themselves, and families and to prevent additional community transmission.
We recognize that some of these guidelines differ from traditional Girl Scout leadership principles. For example, guidelines may recommend using disposable items instead of using resources wisely. During this unprecedented time, some compromise is necessary to protect the health of our valued Girl Scout members. When you can make a Girl Scout-led, sustainable choice that affords the same protection, please do.
Follow these COVID-19 protection guidelines when your troop or group
is ready to have an overnight camping experience. As a reminder,
these guidelines supplement the Safety Activity Checkpoints for Camping, which
must also be followed. More detailed best practices for
overnights with groups, on or off of Girl Scout properties, can be
found in the American Camp Association (ACA) Field Guide for
Camps.
Commitment to Health and Safety
As part of our
commitment to health and safety, COVID-19 vaccines are strongly
recommended for all members who are eligible and able to receive the
vaccine. GSEMA also strongly
recommends that all Girl Scouts wear masks indoors regardless of
vaccination status. (Masks may be removed while eating or
sleeping. Volunteers must remind participants that 6+ feet of physical
distance should always be maintained when masks are removed.) GSEMA
also recommends that Girl Scouts wear masks while outdoors when
gathering in large groups (50+), especially those that include other
groups, non-member family and friends, or the general public, such as
during parades.
Health Checks
Be sure to communicate to all Girl Scouts,
families, and other attendees that everyone must have not exhibited
any of the following symptoms within the last 24 hours: fever
(temperature of 100.0°F or above), felt feverish or had chills, cough,
sore throat, difficulty breathing, gastrointestinal symptoms
(diarrhea, nausea, vomiting), fatigue (fatigue alone should not
exclude a member from participation), headache, new loss of
smell/taste, new muscle aches. If a participant experiences any of
these symptoms above, they should NOT attend in-person gatherings, and
should also consider seeking medical treatment from a healthcare
provider if they have not done so already.
Sleeping Arrangements
All beds/mats/sleeping bags must
be at least three feet apart at all times and Girl Scouts should sleep
head to foot.
Cabins should have windows opened as weather permits. Platform tents should open front and back flaps, weather permitting. No campers should be wearing masks while sleeping.
Additional best practices on sleeping can be found in the ACA Field Guide, starting on page 31.
Food Preparation and Group Meals
- Everyone should wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol upon entry to the dining area.
- Encourage diners to maintain physical distancing between themselves and others as space permits.
- Use soap or detergent and water to wash food contact surfaces (i.e., dishware, utensils, trays, food preparation surfaces, beverage equipment) then rinse after use. When possible, disinfect food contact surfaces with an EPA-recommended product before food preparation.
- Let dishware and equipment airdry; do not dry with towels.
Additional best practices on food preparation and mealtimes can be
found in the ACA Field Guide starting on page 37.
