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NEW NORMAL CAMPING POLICIES, STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES

OF THE GIRL SCOUTS OF THE PHILIPPINES (GSP)

POLICIES

A Policy is an established course of action to be followed in recurring situations.

It states what must be done.

Camping Policies are rules governing the conduct of camp operations.

Following are the Camping Policies prescribed by the GSP.

1. All Girl Scouts who go camping should create the least possible impact on the environment
where the camping activities are being held. This is called Minimum Impact Camping and it
should be observed to keep the environment with the least sign of use. It also means
leaving little to no trace of one's presence after any outdoor activity.

2. The basic consideration should be the suitability of campsites/venues to the planned

activities during the camp. Adequate facilities, resources, and supplies to support the camp
must be provided and available to all campers.

3. The GSP Council concerned must issue a written approval of the camping activity being
planned by the troop. Necessary permits from the stakeholders must also be secured by
the camp organizers.

4. Separate camps for girls and for boys must be organized at all camping levels. Some joint
events are allowed with adult supervision: Camp Ceremonies (opening, closing, campfire,
scout’s own), or parts of the camp program, such as hiking, mountain climbing, first aid,
and boating are some examples.

5. Only qualified adult members can bring their girls to camp and run it. Below are the
necessary qualifications:
a. For Troop Camps: Leaders of troop camps should have taken the Outdoor Leadership
Course, preferably, they should be Campcraft Certificate holders
b. For School, District, and Council Camps: Leaders should be Campcraft, Camper’s Permit
or Camper’s License holders
c. For Regional and National Camps: the Camp Director should be at least a Camper’s
Permit Holder.
Note: Pre-camp training should be conducted for Regional/National/International Camps.
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6. A Testing Camp for all Camping Qualification Certificates (Campcraft, Camper’s Permit
Camper’s License, Star Holiday Permit) should be conducted with the approval of the
Council. There should at least be two evaluators: a Credentialed/Diploma’d Trainer and a
Camper’s Permit or Camper’s License Certificates holder.

7. The ratio of one (1) adult leader aged 21 and above, to every six (6) to eight (8) girls must
be adhered to in any camping levels or outdoor activity.

8. Parents shall be furnished complete information about the camp that their daughters are
attending and Parents’ Consent Form must be secured. An Orientation Meeting should be
conducted by the Council for parents or guardians of girls who will attend National and
International Camps.

9. In all camping levels, each camper is required to have the following:

a. the necessary qualifications as stated in the circulars and memorandums;
b. the written consent of her parents/guardian to attend the camp;
c. the travel data form; and
d. a medical/health examination certified by a licensed physician allowing her to
participate in the event and all its activities.

10. The health, safety, and security of the campers shall be the primary consideration in all
camping levels. In case anyone shows symptoms of COVID 19, the individual/s should be
taken to the Isolation Area of the camp to prevent transmission to the other campers.
Appropriate medical assistance should be administered immediately.

11. There shall be no smoking, drinking, gambling, and other vices in camps.

12. Every Girl Scout must respect the different religious opinions and practices of its
membership in planning and conducting activities in all camping levels.

13. The Girl Scout Promise and Law shall be the rule of conduct in all camping levels
at all times.

STANDARDS

A Standard is a guide or measure established by GSP authorities and, as such, is a rule or

principle that is used as a basis for judgment. Standards contain technical specifications as
adopted by the GSP, which shall be used consistently as a rule, guideline, or definition.

Hereunder are the Camping Standards of the GSP.

I. The Campsite or Facility should preferably be owned by GSP.

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Use of recreational facilities such as resorts is recommended only for off-site camping
activities to maximize the use of GSP campsites and facilities and facilitate outdoor skills
development.

1. The campsite should provide a maximum of privacy and should be located away
from densely populated areas.

2. It should be safe, secure, and free from possible internal and external danger,
risk, harm, and threat.

3. It should provide natural resources and necessary facilities that will make the Girl
Scout's outdoor living experience more meaningful.

4. There should be permanent, fixed, and firm shelters available for campers to be
safely sheltered in case of inclement weather.

5. All camps should have adequate areas for campers.

Troop Camp - maximum 40 girls

District Camp - maximum of 1000 girls
Council/Provincial Camp - maximum of 2500 girls
Regional Camp - maximum of 1,500 girls
National Camp - maximum of 1,500 girls

The ratio of 1 adult to every 6-8 girls must be observed.

II. The Building

1. Building or other structures should be constructed in accordance with GSP

building standards and regulations. Real Properties and Buildings Committees at
all camping levels should submit an inspection report on the GSP camping
facilities regarding the stability and usability of the buildings in their area of
responsibility.

2. All electrical wiring and light fixtures should be properly installed and regularly
maintained in good condition.

3. An Isolation Area should be available and separate from the Infirmary Room.

4. Hand Washing Stations should be available.

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III. Health and Safety

1. The camp should meet the IATF MHPS standards and follow its rules.

2. Antigen/RT-PCR test should be made available.

3. Only fully vaccinated camp staff and campers should be allowed to join.

4. There should be toilets that meet sanitary standards and that are some distance
away from food preparation areas. At least one seat should be provided for
every 8-10 persons. Water for toilet use should be available.

5. Drinking water must be safe and previously tested by the Department of

Health/Municipal Health Office or by a chemical laboratory. There should be
periodic checkups of the water supply. Sources of drinking water must be
hygienically and safely located.

6. The site should be kept clean at all times and drainage should be so located to
ensure that water supply is not contaminated.

7. Health and safety measures should be considered in all activities.

8. All camps should provide fire extinguishers or other suitable firefighting

equipment placed at strategic and accessible points.

9. A plan for emergency drills such as fire, earthquake, flash floods, and
storms/typhoons should be set up and practiced by the campers and leaders
preferably immediately after settling down.

10. Health supervision should include checkup of campers by a health care

professional upon arrival in camp. Daily health checks and monitoring is a must.
A medical staff on duty shall assess the health of campers and camp staff and
give proper medical attention and/or referral to a nearby clinic or hospital.

11. In case of COVID-19 symptoms, serious illness, accident, or fatality, immediate

notification should be given to parents and the local Council.

12. Garbage should be disposed of and sorted properly (biodegradable and non-
biodegradable) by burying or packing out. Fly-tight covers should be provided
for garbage cans.

13. Tents and beddings should be aired daily.

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IV. Food and Food Service

1. Nutrition standards should be observed in camp all the time. Camp Menus
should be well planned.

2. Meals should be served on time.

3. Fly-proof and dust-proof facilities should be provided for proper storage of food
and eating utensils.

4. All dishes should be scraped, washed, rinsed, and sterilized by dunking in boiling
water.

5. There should be a daily checkup of kitchen sanitation.

V. Equipment

1. Tents and other types of temporary shelters should provide enough sleeping
space for every camper. Proper social distancing must be maintained; thus,
individual tents are recommended.

2. All necessary camp equipment should be on hand. It should be given proper

care and kept in good condition.

VI. Provisions for Emergency

1. The camp should have ready access to a telephone or other means of

communication.

2. Transportation should be available at all times for use in case of emergency.

3. Arrangements should be made with the nearest clinic or hospital in case of

emergency.

4. Provision should be made for all legally required insurance.

VII. The Camp Proper

1. Allow for a progressive experience in the out-of-doors.

2. Emphasize the respect and love for living things. It is better to leave the flowers
in the natural state so they can be enjoyed longer by more people.
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PROCEDURES

A Procedure describes the manner in which an activity is to be carried out. Procedures are
often kept consistently once they are established to maintain a general understanding of what
should be done in various circumstances. The GSP has its own set of procedures when it comes
to planning a camp.

Following are the Procedures established in planning a GSP camping activity.

1. Secure a written approval from the Council Office in holding any type of camp.

2. Secure necessary permission from the owner (private or public) for the use of the campsite.

3. Check qualifications of campers before the start of camp.

4. Identify the leaders and staff who will manage the camp.

5. Check on the Program of Activities vis-à-vis the badges to be earned by the campers.

6. Prepare a budget for the camping activity.

7. Ensure a well-balanced menu.

8. Be sure that a health officer performs daily camp inspection.

9. Prepare the necessary equipment and supplies beforehand. Campers should be properly
informed of the necessities they are supposed to bring with them.

10. Evaluate the camping activity before the break camp.

11. See that all pieces of equipment rented or borrowed are returned clean and in perfect
condition as when they were rented or borrowed.

12. Make the head of each camp delegation accomplish and submit a Camp Clearance Form
prior to exiting the campsite (e.g. borrowed items returned, areas left clean, all pits
covered, all garbage properly disposed, all campers are well-groomed).

13. Report and replace or pay for all losses or breakages.

14. Keep accurate records as needed, such as health, financial, badge, or activity records and
submit a written report not later than two (2) weeks after the camp to the Camp Director
and Program Coordinator.