COVID-19

July 1, 2021

Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania (GSEP) has continued monitoring Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PA Department of Health and local government guidelines to better inform our decisions of safely reopening our facilities and returning to a more normal operation. 

On June 28, 2021, the PA Department of Health released an update to the COVID-19 guideline—ending the mask mandate.  As we have entered the summer months and are very excited to welcome our Girl Scouts back to our Day and Resident camps, GSEP will operate in accordance with the latest CDC and American Camping Association (ACA) guidance on mask usage.

CDC YOUTH CAMP MASK USAGE SUMMARY (May 28, 2021)

-Camps may continue to require masks for vaccinated and not fully vaccinated campers and staff in order to adhere to prevention strategies when it is difficult to tell who has been vaccinated or to set an example for not fully vaccinated campers.

-Camps may require mask use indoors by all people present including vaccinated campers, staff, and other people such as visitors.

As always, the safety of our Girl Scouts is our priority.  While vaccination is available for people ages 12 and up, GSEP has a large number of Girl Scouts who are not yet eligible to be vaccinated.

As stated in GSEP’s camp confirmation packets:  campers will be required to wear masks indoors, while being transported in camp vans, and during outdoor activities that include singing or cheering.  Campers will not wear masks during other outdoor activities, during activities in or around water, while eating, and while sleeping.

All staff, campers, and adult visitors will be required to wear masks at all times during check-in and check-out of camp.

GSEP will continue to monitor local government guidelines and reassess our reopening plans while we make the safety of our girls, volunteers, staff, and families our top priority.

• Girl Scout Safety Guidelines
• GSEP Volunteer COVID-19 Guidance
• COVID-19 FAQ Document
• GSEP COVID-19 Liability Waiver
• GSEP Prescreening Form for Volunteer Use

Looking for summer camp guidelines? Review our Summer Camp COVID-19 Strategies and Updates.

Increase hygiene in the home, 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 any questions about how Coronavirus may impact Girl Scout activities, please contact Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania at memberservices@gsep.org or 215.564.2030 - we're here for you.

For current information* on COVID-19 in GSEP's nine-county footprint visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health. 

*This information is subject to change based on the ongoing nature of the COVID-19 virus in your respective communities.