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COVID-19 Prevention

Updated 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 13, 2021

Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas (GSSWT) remains committed to keeping each other safe and healthy as we introduce new phases to resuming operations. 

GSSWT lifted most all restrictions concerning COVID-19 health protocols for troops and communities. We will continue to emphasize face coverings, physical distancing and good hand hygiene in daily activities, as it is proven these tactics are most successful in protecting the girls we serve who are not eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

NEW regarding operating hours at the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center (effective October 18, 2021):

  • The Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center introduces new operating hours to best meet the need of our member families and volunteers. Effective Monday, October 18, all departments will be available to visitors the following days/times:
    • Wednesday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    • Thursday from 2 – 7 p.m.
    • Friday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    • 2nd Saturday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
    • Closed Sunday – Tuesday


    The Girl Scout Shop and Resource Center will continue to offer     curbside service on select days during operating hours.

    GSSWT will also accept room reservations for the Sally Cheever     leadership center during operating hours. Please email     customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org or call 210-349-2404 to make a     reservation.

  • GSSWT troops and communities are welcome to meet and plan in-person events. COVID-19 Protocols training for volunteers and advance permission granted from the council is no longer necessary for troop meetings or low-risk day trips within GSSWT’s service area. However, GSSWT expects volunteers and caregivers to follow guidelines regarding face coverings and other common preventive measures outlined below.
    • Please Note: Troops are NOT allowed to meet in any private residence at this time. Learn More
  • Common Preventive Measures:
    • Face coverings are required when:
      • You are indoors with girls or adults (regardless of vaccination status).
      • You are in a vehicle with girls or adults who are not of the same household (regardless of vaccination status).
    • Face coverings are optional when:
      • You are outdoors (regardless of vaccination status).
    • Health screenings are no longer required for girls and adults. We expect individuals who feel ill or demonstrate any of the common symptoms of COVID-19 to stay home.
    • Troops and communities are expected to encourage good hand hygiene. Plan for hand washing before and after activities and have hand sanitizer readily available for all participants.
    • Minimize the use of shared materials such as markers, crayons and scissors. Use troop or community funds to provide each girl with her own supplies. Shared items should be sanitized after each use.
    • When eating snacks or meals, troops and communities are asked to serve food in pre-packaged individual servings or designate one individual to plate each participant’s meal. 
  • GSSWT has resumed pre-pandemic approvals required for the following activities:
    • High risk activities
    • Day trips outside GSSWT’s service area
    • Overnight trips of 1 to 2 nights
    • Extended travel trips of 3 or more nights
    • International travel

    To request approval for one of the above activities, submit a complete     Activity and Trip Form.

What will it take to slow the spread of COVID-19?
Wear a mask, wash your hands, practice physical distancing and get your vaccine.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Are Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas (GSSWT) offices closed? Are council events canceled?

No. In July, the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center re-opened to the public (no appointment necessary) with limited operating hours. Effective October 18, 2021, all departments will be available to visitors Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Thursdays from 2–7 p.m. and the 2nd Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. The leadership center will be closed except for select activities that require pre-registration Sunday – Tuesday.

GSSWT is working diligently to offer council-sponsored activities safely in person. We encourage you to visit our Events Calendar and follow us @GirlScoutsSWTX on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for exciting opportunities to kick start the new Girl Scout year!

Are masks required?

Yes. GSSWT requires the continued use of face coverings, regardless of vaccination status. This courtesy is for the protection of the girls we serve who are not eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as our understaffed employees who are responsible for young children or seniors at home.

Effective August 4, 2021, face coverings are required when:

  • You are indoors with girls or adults (regardless of vaccination status).
  • You are in a vehicle with girls or adults who are not of the same household (regardless of vaccination status).

Effective August 4, 2021, face coverings are optional when:

  • You are outdoors (regardless of vaccination status).
Can troops keep meeting? Is it okay for our girls to be interacting with each other?

Yes. GSSWT troops are welcome to meet and plan in-person events. COVID-19 Protocols training for volunteers and advance permission granted from the council is no longer necessary for troop meetings or low-risk day trips within GSSWT’s service area. However, GSSWT expects volunteers and caregivers to follow current guidelines regarding face coverings, hand hygiene, snacks and meals.

Gov. Abbott opened the state at 100%, why does Girl Scouts still have restrictions?

Our region has successfully reduced community transmission of COVID-19 due to the consistent adherence of preventive measures recommended by city, state and federal authorities.

Our organization will continue to emphasize face coverings, physical distancing and good hand hygiene in daily activities, as it is proven these tactics are most successful in protecting the girls we serve who are not eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Why can’t troops meet in homes?

Though state authorities have expanded capacity for all services, the  cleaning, hygiene and physical distancing recommendations by city, state and federal health authorities are impossible to enforce in a private residence.

GSSWT will re-evaluate this decision as more of our members become eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Is group size limited?

No. Troops and communities are welcome to plan in-person events with no limit on group size. However, all volunteers and caregivers are expected to follow GSSWT’s current guidelines on face coverings and other preventive measures to best protect the health and well-being of the girls we serve who are not eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Is the Girl Scout Shop open? Can we place orders?

The Girl Scout Shop at the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center is open for visitors and offers curbside service. The shop at the West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center remains closed. 

Curbside orders may be picked up each Thursday from 2–7 p.m. 

To place your order, complete our online order form and Girl Scout Shop staff will contact you via email with an invoice to pay online. Upon payment, a confirmation email will be sent with instructions for your curbside pick-up.

Is the Resource Center open?

The Resource Center at the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center is open for visitors and offers equipment and book checkout to support our Girl Scout troops and communities with ceremonies, badge work and outdoor activities through curbside pick-up on Wednesdays from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Thursdays from 2–7 p.m. and the 2nd Saturday of each month from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Visit the Resource Center page for complete details.

Can girls still camp?

Yes. Volunteers are required to submit the online Activity and Trip Form to GSSWT for all overnight trips of one to two nights four weeks in advance.

Troops and communities planning an overnight campout should be prepared to follow GSSWT’s current guidelines on face coverings and other common preventive measures, including reduced capacity sleeping arrangements. GSSWT requires girls sleep one girl per bed and at 50% capacity in cabins or tents (ex: if sleeping in a 4-man tent, only two girls per tent are allowed).

Can girls still travel?

All domestic and international travel with girls is evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Please note that if there is any girl travel scheduled on a cruise ship, regardless of destination, or to a U.S. Department of State “Level 3 – Reconsider Travel” location, the trip should immediately be canceled or re-routed. Travel with girls to any international location identified by the U.S. Department of State as “Level 4 – Do Not Travel” is never allowed.

Volunteers are required to submit the online Activity and Trip Form to GSSWT for all extended travel of three or more nights six months in advance or for all international travel one year in advance.

Hate or racism is growing towards the Asian community, how is Girl Scouts creating a safe space?

Unfortunately, these kinds of discriminatory attacks can occur at times like these. GSSWT strongly condemns acts of discrimination against the Asian community, or any other demographic group. We are proud of our legacy of inclusion and diversity. Girl Scouts is and always will be a safe space for all girls, regardless of the demographic group to which they belong. 

Does Girl Scouts have any medical expertise?

While Girl Scouts strives to be a resource for girls and their caregivers, we do not have any medical expertise. However, we want to ensure that official guidance from reputable local, state, federal and global sources reach our volunteers and member families in a timely manner.

What we are experts on? Girls and their positive growth and development. You may find these articles from Girl Scouts of the USA’s Raising Awesome Girls series helpful: