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 of September 15, GSEMA members should follow the strictest COVID-19 guidelines among federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance, for mask wearing, vaccination requirements, gathering sizes, quarantine, testing, and other precautions.
At Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, the physical and emotional safety of our Girl Scouts, our families, our volunteers, and our staff is our highest priority. We are taking a responsible approach to creating environments that allow us to embody the Girl Scout Promise and Law, require us to be considerate and caring, courageous, and strong, responsible for what we say and do, respectful of ourselves and others, respectful of authority, and to act as a sister to every Girl Scout.
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 recommends that all Girl Scouts wear masks while attending activities, regardless of vaccination status. On GSEMA properties, all members and guests are required to wear a mask while indoors, regardless of vaccination status. (Masks may be removed while eating or sleeping.)
For additional details about GSEMA’s current general COVID-19
guidelines, please visit our Volunteer Resources page.
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. You may need to limit the number of participants to ensure that social distancing can be maintained. At this time, GSEMA is limiting the number of participants to 4 people per platform tent.
All indoor sleeping must use cross ventilation including opening of
all windows and doors if possible. Cabins should have windows and
doors opened. Platform tents should open front and back flaps, weather
permitting. Masks can be removed when 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.
- Prioritize “grab-n-go” meals and snack. Reduce shared utensils, condiments, and other items as much as possible.
- Encourage diners to maintain physical distancing between themselves and others while serving and eating. Sit with or near the same individuals each meal and/or in the same seat if possible. If the option is available, eat outside or in areas with less people.
- 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.
