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GSWW COVID-19 Guidelines

GSWW continues to monitor the ongoing conditions and regulations of the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve recently updated our guidelines to mirror CDC and Washington State regulations. All GSWW in-person program participants and partners are required to follow this guidance.

Masks and facial coverings are required as recommended by the Washington State Department of Health while participating in any GSWW activities held in public indoor spaces. Make sure your meeting and event location has sufficient space for the entire group to follow social distancing guidelines.

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Have questions about the COVID-19 Member Safety Guidelines? Feel free to contact us using the form below.

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Volunteer & Participant Accountability

Volunteer & Participant Accountability
  • By participating in GSWW’s in-person activities, participants acknowledge that COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus, easily spread including through in-person contact. By choosing to participate in person, participants are choosing to accept the risk of contracting COVID-19. GSWW cannot guarantee that infection will not occur.
  • Should you see someone not adhering to the GSWW COVID-19 Member Safety Guidelines, please email CustomerCare@GirlScoutsWW.org to inform council staff about the policy violation.
  • All volunteer, youth members, and partners who do not adhere to our COVID-19 Member Safety Guidelines are subject to removal from the Girl Scout program.
  • For specific questions or clarifications regarding our COVID-19 Member Safety Guidelines, please email covid@girlscoutsww.org for support. 
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COVID-19 Participant Prevention Screening

COVID-19 Participant Prevention Screening
  • All adults, volunteers, and program hosts are required to submit GSWW’s COVID Waiver for all in-person programming either on paper or digitally through gsLearn. Find instructions on how to access gsLearn on our website.
  • All youth, adult and host participants are required to complete a “Girl Scout Ready” health assessment with an adult/guardian approximately 30 minutes prior to program start time. Youth participants over the age of 14 may complete this assessment and attest to their own status of being Girl Scout Ready.
  • To support contact tracing efforts, program host(s) and/or troop leadership should keep a record of attendance for any in-person programming being offered. Keep the rosters on file for the duration of the membership year, or approximately three months if programming or event occurs in the August-September timeframe.
  • If anyone within your household has symptoms, or has known exposure to COVID-19, you should not attend in-person programming.
  • Attendance Roster example can be found here.
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Safety, Cleaning, First Aid Protocol

Safety, Cleaning, First Aid Protocol
  • Face covering, social distancing and sanitation | COVID-19 | CDC
  • Vaccinated and Unvaccinated guidelines | COVID-19 | CDC
  • All in-person programming must have the following First Aid/PPE equipment on site:
    • First aid supplies should include the following COVID-19 prevention items: hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol), tissues, disposable facemasks, two disposable adult medical gowns, trash bags, disposable gloves, and cleaning disinfectant.
    • Disposable or no-contact thermometers may be added to supplies if available and not cost-prohibitive. However, parents/guardians should check temperatures during pre-program “Girl Scout Ready” assessment and only allow their child to join group activities when temperatures are normal.
Are You Girl Scout Ready?

This assessment should be administered approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of all in-person program activities for all participants. You will be asked by program leadership if you’ve completed your “Girl Scout Ready" assessment upon sign-in.

  • In the last 72 hours, have you/your Girl Scout experienced ANY of the following new symptoms that cannot be attributed to another health condition or specific activity such as physical exercise?
    •  Fever? Yes/No  
    • Cough? Yes/No  
    • Shortness of breath? Yes/No  
    • Fatigue? Yes/No  
    • Muscle Aches? Yes/No  
    • Any other flu-like symptoms, such as gastrointestinal upset or headaches? Yes/No  
    • New loss of taste or smell? Yes/No  
    • A temperature over 100°F? Yes/No  
    • Have you had contact with any confirmed COVID-19 positive patients in the last 14 days? If yes, please follow directives regarding quarantining outlined in Washington State's Guidance for Child Care, Youth Development, and Day Camps.

If any participants answer Yes to ANY of these questions, they should stay home and seek evaluation by their healthcare provider. 

Troop/Group Created Guidelines

Troops and groups are allowed to set safety guidelines that are stricter than those set GSWW Safety Guidelines. Common safety requirements that are approved include:

  • Requiring everyone (youth and adults) to be masked even when participating in outdoor activities.
  • Requiring adults present and engaged in Girl Scout activities to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours.
  • Requiring proof of a negative COVID test after out-of-state travel prior to returning to in-person meetings.

If your troop or group wants to require additional guidelines outside of these common requirements, please reach out to Customer Care for final approval.

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Daily Activities & Going Out

Daily Activities & Going Out
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Group Size

Group Size
 
  • Groups with youth attendees are limited in size per the Washington State Child Care, Youth Development, and Day Camp guidelines to no more than 30 youth and 32 total people, indoors and outdoors.
  • Adult only groups do not have group size limitations but must follow any county or state guidelines regarding vaccination requirements for particularly large gatherings and ensure the venue provides adequate space to adhere to recommended distancing.
  • Total group size includes all participants, program hosts and volunteers, and must adhere to GSWW ratio Guidelines.
  • Some programs, including GSWW camp site reservations, may have smaller capacities. See below for program specific details.
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Food, Dining and Snacks

Food, Dining and Snacks
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Transportation & Travel

Transportation & Travel
  • Domestic travel | COVID-19 | CDC
  • Participants may travel to other counties and must follow Washington State guidelines.
  • Car, Train, Bus, and Ferry travel are permitted at this time.
  • Air travel is permitted for vaccinated members only and participants are required to follow airline & state travel requirements and restrictions.
  • Groups are permitted to carpool (groups may include more than one household). All members of the group, including the driver, must wear a face covering and spread out as much as possible when in transit.
  • Ventilation is encouraged and riders should wash or sanitize hands immediately before boarding and after disembarking transportation.
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COVID Symptoms & Quaratine Guidance

COVID Symptoms & Quarantine Guidance
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COVID-19 Exposure

COVID-19 Exposure
  • Exposure definition
  • If a volunteer, program host and/or participant has been potentially exposed to COVID-19 they are required to leave the program site immediately.
  • All program participant’s guardians will be notified of potential exposure immediately.
  • All possible COVID-19 exposure incidents should be reported to GSWW’s Customer Care Team at 800-541-9852 or customercare@girlscoutsww.org, or the afterhours emergency line (800) 303-9963 if applicable.
    • You will be directed to a GSWW Human Resources staff member who will be responsible for:
      • Confirming that the participant has been in close contact (within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more) with a person with symptoms or has received a positive COVID-19 test.
      • Ensuring an incident report and participation roster is completed if to ensure contact tracing is managed appropriately.
      • Contacting potentially exposed individuals or parents of youth participants within 24-48 hours of receiving the report
      • Notifying the facility where event or programming was held.
      • Let other volunteers know that council staff, will notify parents and others if the exposure results in a positive test result. Girl Scout and volunteer health information is private and strictly confidential and should only be shared on a need-to-know basis with a council staff member.
      • Council staff will notify local health jurisdiction within 24 hours if there are two or more participants in the same activity who develop confirmed or suspected COVID-19 within a 14-day period.
      • Program updates, delays and/or cancellation notices will be sent out within 48 hours of incident.
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Identification and Isolation of Participants with COVID-19 Symptoms

Identification and Isolation of Participants with COVID-19 Symptoms

If a volunteer, program host and/or participant is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 they are required to leave the program site immediately. If unable to leave immediately, the following protocols should be followed:

  • Agreements should be made in advance with parents/guardians regarding how program hosts will manage symptomatic participants and possible exposure procedures. If the program host, troop leadership or any program participants are symptomatic, the program should be canceled immediately, and all program participants should be notified and sent home.
    • Symptomatic participants should be isolated in a designated isolation area that is removed from but within eyesight and ear shot of the program area to maintain required youth to adult ratio.
  • If the symptomatic participant is unable to leave of their own accord or a guardian cannot be reached, their emergency contact will be notified. They will remain in the isolation area until their transportation arrives. If unable to reach the emergency contact or arrange for transportation, emergency services (9-1-1) should be called.
  • It is required that the parent/guardian should make every accommodation to pick-up their child immediately if their child is exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. A program host or volunteer should stay with the symptomatic individual until parent/guardian has arrived and should always wear a face mask/covering. It is advised to stay six feet away unless the participant needs medical attention. If medical attention is required, the volunteer should wear gloves, face shield, and mask to provide care, and contact 9-1-1 if a participant is experiencing signs of distress or difficulty breathing.
  • Whenever possible the adult to youth ratio should be maintained. However, when navigating emergency health and safety situations, this ratio can be temporarily waived.
  • The symptomatic individual should wear a face mask/covering if able.
  • No one should enter the isolation area except for assigned program host/volunteer and parent/guardian.
  • Follow sanitation procedures to deep clean any areas that the symptomatic individual may have had contact with and notify all people who were in the area that a symptomatic individual had access to. See the CDC’s website for more on cleaning and disinfecting community facilities.
  • All parent/guardian(s) should be made aware of the isolation incident upon pick-up.
  • Program host or troop leadership should complete and submit an Incident Report Form to GSWW.
  • Program updates, delays and/or cancellation notices will be sent out within 48 hours of incident.
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Reporting COVID-19 Positive Incidents

Reporting COVID-19 Positive Incidents

In the event of a COVID-19 positive test result, promptly contact a member of GSWW’s Customer Care Team at 800-541-9852 or customercare@girlscoutsww.org, or the afterhours emergency line (800) 303-9963 if applicable. Please do not contact the program participants directly. Once you’ve communicated a positive result to Customer Care, you will be directed to a GSWW Human Resources staff member who will be responsible for:

  • Ensuring an Incident Report is filled out by troop leadership or program host. GSWW will also ask for the participation roster to ensure contact tracing is managed appropriately.
  • Contacting potentially exposed individuals or parents of youth participants within 24-48 hours of receiving the report
  • Notifying the facility where event or programming was held.
  • Let other volunteers know that council staff, NOT volunteers, will notify parents and others about a positive test result and that the individual’s identity is confidential. Girl Scout and volunteer health information is private and strictly confidential and should only be shared on a need-to-know basis with a council staff member. Council staff will notify local health jurisdiction within 24 hours if there are two or more participants in the same activity who develop confirmed or suspected COVID-19 within a 14-day period.
  • Program updates, delays and/or cancellation notices will be sent out within 48 hours of incident.

Participants with confirmed COVID-19 can return to in-person programming when they meet the following requirements:

  • 10 days since symptoms first appeared and
  • 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
  • Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving*
Third-Party Partner COVID-19 Reporting

Reporting and communicating a positive COVID-19 case should be managed by the program partner. In the event of a positive test result, the partner should contact and inform the GSWW Program Partner Manager at cwightman@girlscoutsww.org. All GSWW Program Partners are required to comply with Washington State COVID-19 laws and regulations; this includes contact tracing in the event of an exposure or positive case confirmation.

COVID-19 Council Event/Workshop Cancellation and Refund Policy

If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have encountered someone who has recently tested positive, we ask that you do not attend the in-person event. Please email a written request to CustomerCare@girlscoutsww.org for a refund.

Third-Party Partner Cancellation Due to Exposure or Positive Test
  • GSWW is not responsible for the reimbursement or refund policy of any third-party partner programming.
  • Each partner will establish and enforce a refund policy in the event of impacts of COVID-19 exposure or illness.
Reporting Health & Safety Violations
  • As a Girl Scout community, it is our job to ensure the safety of all our program participants, which is why we are asking our members to support GSWW’s “See Something, Say Something” policy. Should you see someone not adhering to the GSWW COVID-19 Member Safety Guidelines, please say something! Please email CustomerCare@GirlScoutsWW.org  or call 800-541-9852 to discuss council safety violation questions or procedures.
  • All violations will be investigated by a GSWW staff member within 48-72 hours. 
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Program Specific Guidance

Troop
Product Programs – Fall Product and Cookies

In-person Product Program activities are required to follow both COVID-19 Member Safety Guidelines & Safety Activity Checkpoints.

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Learning Department

Workshops and Outdoor Trainings
  • For workshops and outdoor trainings, in the absence of on-site Learning Department employees, facilitators will mail or scan rosters/sign-in sheets and waivers to: LearningDept@girlscoutsww.org

    Girl Scouts of Western Washington
    c/o The Learning Dept.
    5601 6th Ave. S, Ste. 150
    Seattle, WA 98108
Learning Requirements for Events: COVID-19 Site Coordinator

All Learning Department events, including workshops, will designate a volunteer facilitator or event committee member as the COVID-19 Site Coordinator. For larger events, this volunteer can also serve as Event First Aider.

This volunteer should not be assigned other tasks/duties and will enforce safety and cleaning protocols, manage COVID-19 reporting, and may check out Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and sanitizing products to be used at workshops and events. To coordinate checkout of PPE/sanitizing products, please contact LearningDept@girlscoutsww.org.

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Camp Programs and Properties 

Camp Site Reservations/Rentals
  • Participants are expected to follow all in-person Guidelines above as recommended by the CDC.
  • All unrelated campers must have at least 6 feet physical distance from other camper’s heads in sleep facilities, such as beds, bunks, mattresses, or tent sleeping areas. Bedding should be arranged head-to-toe.
  • Group size for indoor overnight activities is permitted at GSWW camps with a limit of 16 people.
  • Groups are encouraged to open windows in indoor units to facilitate fresh air circulation.
  • If a member of your household, troop, or group begins exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19 while at camp, your entire group will need to leave camp immediately. All members of your group should remain in the reserved site use area until you have gathered personal belongings and are able to leave.
Outdoor Camp Programs (archery, swimming, boating, climbing, etc.)
  • When outfitting participants with helmets, gear, life jackets, etc. maintain physical distance where possible and wear a mask when in close proximity to others.
  • Shared program equipment should be sanitized after each use when it does not cause damage to the equipment.
  • Participants will need to wash or sanitize hands before and after handling program equipment.
  • Participants attending drop off programming will be expected to check in with a staff member upon arrival and before parent/guardian departure.
    • Check-in will include verification that the participant has registered and paid, completed the health assessment, has a face covering and meets any additional requirements (e.g., closed toed shoes for archery).
Day and Twilight Camp Programs
  • GSWW volunteer-led day and twilight camps are required to follow Washington State Guidance for Day Camps and required to wear face coverings in day and Twilight Camp.
  • GSWW will work with volunteer-led day camp leadership to identify a designated COVID-19 guideline expert who will receive specialized training to ensure Guidelines and best practices are followed.
  • All camps are required to have COVID Safety Plans. COVID Safety Plans must be reviewed and approved by GSWW staff and need to be publicly available for review by campers and their families and local health jurisdictions.
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Overnight Trips & Travel

Travel Disclaimer

GSWW Travel Disclaimer: At any time, approvals for travel can be rescinded as COVID-19 restrictions are updated due to phase rollbacks, outbreaks and/or new COVID-19 state restrictions. Make sure that you research your destinations and work with vendors/locations that have flexible cancellation policies. GSWW will not be responsible or held liable for travel refunds, incurred fees and/or trip cancellations costs.

Travel Guidelines Chart

The Travel Guidelines chart outlines the types of overnight and travel that is approved for both unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals/groups.

View the Travel Guidelines chart
Day Trips & Overnight Activities
Unvaccinated Overnight/Travelers

At this time, overnights are only allowed outdoors for unvaccinated participants except for GSWW camp properties use.

All travelers are expected to follow in-person Member Safety Guidelines, CDC guidelines, and destination specific travel requirements. Travelers are also required to:

  • Avoid crowds and maintain a 6-foot distance from anyone who is not traveling with your group.
  • Watch for COVID-19 symptoms by completing Girl Scout Ready assessment daily; this includes daily temperature checks.
  • Keep a record of the places you go with times and dates. If someone were to get sick, this information is critical to the group’s contract tracing efforts.
  • All overnight volunteers are required to keep parent/guardian contact details with them during all outings.
  • All participants must have at least 6 feet physical distance from other participant’s heads in sleep facilities, such as cots or tent sleeping areas.
  • Tent Camping: One traveler per tent unless:
    • Tent is large enough to provide the 6 feet of distance.
    • OR tt is two+ travelers from the same family.

COVID-19 Symptoms or Exposure while traveling. All Trip Advisors and groups will be required to complete a Short Trip Travel Plan for In-State Overnight Outdoor Trips which includes, but is not limited to, specific plans on health & safety, potential exposure, isolation, PPE and First Aid requirements for travel destinations. This plan requires GSWW council approval; see Travel Guidelines chart for details.

Post Travel: Upon returning home it is recommended that all unvaccinated travelers get tested 3-5 days after the trip ends and stay home and self-quarantine for a full 7 days after travel, even if your test is negative. If you do not get tested, stay home and self-quarantine for 10 days after travel.

Vaccinated Overnight/Travelers

Vaccinated participants can resume normal travel/overnight best practices, but are required to follow:

  • Member Safety Guidelines (as it applies)
  • County/state phase and mandate restrictions
  • GSWW Safety Activity Checkpoints
  • GSWW Travel documentation requirements, including completed health form

For Out of State Travel: Groups must follow GSWW’s Member Safety Guidelines (regardless of destination) as well as the state/county’s guidelines.

COVID-19 Symptoms or Exposure while traveling: All Trip Advisors and groups will be required to complete a COVID-19 Travel Plan Summary which includes, but is not limited to, specific plans on health & safety, potential exposure, isolation, PPE and First Aid requirements for travel destinations. This plan requires GSWW council approval and is due 8 weeks prior to departure.

Activities: Research your destination activities in advance to understand local, state and location vaccinated individuals’ policy and restrictions. In most locations, some prevention measures will continue to be necessary in select settings for all people, regardless of vaccination status.

Post Travel: If you experience symptoms within 14 days of travel a COVID-19 test is recommended.

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Property/Office Use

GSWW Offices – Reservations

Volunteers and partners can reserve meeting space at GSWW’s Georgetown, Bremerton and Everett offices and the Oak Harbor Troop House. Currently The Port Townsend Troop House is not available for reservation.

At least five business days before your desired reservation date, complete the Reserving GSWW Office Form with your reservation request. A GSWW Office Supervisor will contact you to confirm the reservation at the location of your choice if available.

If members who reserve GSWW office spaces are all fully vaccinated, they should follow current CDC recommendations for vaccinated indoor activities. The Member Safety Guidelines must be followed by all members while in public and/or shared office spaces.

GSWW Offices – Check-in and Check-out Procedures
  • Capacity of meeting spaces is posted for each meeting room, please keep to those capacities.
  • GSWW staff will provide cleaning supplies, soap and/or hand sanitizer for each site and will ensure surfaces are disinfected between user groups.
  • Check-in and check-out procedures specific to each office will be provided on-site and include expected cleaning procedures.
  • Bring own supplies for all meeting activities – GSWW cannot provide supplies at this time due to sanitization needs
  • Those choosing to use floor markers to help participants in your troop/group maintain distance please use painter’s tape, carpet squares, or other non-adhesive items.

   

Questions or concerns?

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Have questions about the COVID-19 Member Safety Guidelines? Feel free to contact us using the form below or call 1(800) 541-9852.

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