Last Updated 3/12/2024
Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts is committed to the safety and well-being of our members, their families, and the communities we serve. We know Girl Scouts provides a platform for friendship, belonging, and support for thousands of girls and we have appropriate measures in place to protect them when they participate in Girl Scout activities.
In the last several years, we have all adopted a few basic behaviors and precautions to protect our health, that of our families and others we encounter through the day. Frequent hand washing and not sharing personal items are examples of precautions that help reduce the spread of respiratory virus and infectious diseases including COVID-19 and its variants, flu, RSV, and other illnesses. In addition to encouraging preventive behaviors, we strongly encourage all Girl Scout members (both girl and adult), as they are able, to be fully vaccinated and boosted against respiratory viruses and infectious diseases. This will provide the greatest degree of protection and allow the most flexibility in planning and enjoying Girl Scout activities.
Girl Scouts follows CDC (Center for Disease Control), local authorities, and GSUSA in providing guidance and will continue to adjust to stay current as risk changes over time.
Basic Guidelines for All Girl Scout Gatherings and In-Person Activities 
- All are expected to do a quick health check before they leave home and not participate if they are showing any signs of illness
- While masks are no longer required, we remain mask friendly. Any participant, especially if not vaccinated and boosted, is encouraged to wear a mask if they are more comfortable doing so or if their parent/guardian instructs them to do so.
- We support troop and service unit leadership teams in establishing greater protection than GSCWM requires if, in their judgment, increased precautions are needed to protect a sister Girl Scout or their family or if advised due to local conditions or the nature of a particular activity.
- All participants should wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Individuals can return to Girl Scout activities following a respiratory virus infection when these conditions have been met:
- No fever for at least 24 hours - without the use of fever reducing medication AND
- Respiratory symptoms have improved
- Masks should be worn for five days following the relief of fever and symptoms
Troop and Service Unit Activities
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