Nature Explorers Policies and Procedures
We run a number of programs for both adults and children, of various ages, and at various locations. Please reference the notes on each policy (if there are none, it applies to all programs and all students).
Sick Policy
Please keep yourself or your child home if sick. Even if you/ your children are free of fever, being sick in an outdoor program will mean you/they are unable to participate in the activities of the day due to being too tired or not feeling well. Part of our agreement of Respect Self is to rest at home when you are sick.
If you find out you’ve been exposed to COVID, please follow the CDC guidelines for exposure.
After a positive COVID test, we refer to CDC guidelines for when to come back to class.
I agree that I will keep myself or my child home if sick, or if we have been exposed to COVID-19.
Homeschool Tutorial, Summer Camp, and After School Program Expectations
(does not apply to Little Explorers or Adult Classes)
For Children:
Comfortable being outdoors in various weather conditions, in all seasons (including being around bugs or in dirt), or flexible enough to be willing to learn how to do this
Comfortable with “nature potty”
Able to follow our agreements of Respect Self, Respect Others, and Respect Nature (outlined in detail in the section titled Conduct Agreements)
Able to follow directions from teachers, and rules in games with other children (for example: has the emotional skills to handle being given a chore they don’t like, get tagged in a game, lose a game, and play fairly)
Able to handle and resolve conflicts at an age appropriate level, and ask for help when needed
Able to pack up belongings, unpack, change clothing, and take off and put on shoes independently
If this is good fit for you child, you are welcome to sign up! And if your child is not yet a fit, we look forward to teaching them when they are ready!
For Parents:
You understand our Agreements Policies, and the way that breaking the Agreements are handled both for your child, and for other children in the program
You agree to send your child with the proper gear each day, including clothing AND FULL water bottles and lunches/snacks
You understand that developmentally, children are not all able to follow the Agreements when first joining our program, but that these policies are designed to teach them how, and help them practice
You understand that all of our programs give children the opportunity to make and learn from their mistakes
You understand that our students come from many backgrounds, socio-economic situations, neurotypical and neurodivergent, family types, religions, faiths, cultures, and parenting styles, and that we create an atmosphere where everyone can learn to collaborate together and enjoy each other’s company
You understand that by registering, you agree to pay the entire amount of tuition, and agree to the refund policies outlined on the program page, and that refunds are unavailable after the un-enrollment deadline, even if you discover the program is not the right fit for you, if you move, travel, become ill, we have to unenroll your child, or are otherwise unable to attend the entire program
You want to work collaboratively with teachers to be sure your child has the best possible experience at our program
Clothing
Due to the fact that Nature Explorers is an outdoor, all-weather program, it is NECESSARY that you or your child come wearing the appropriate clothing for the weather. Below is a list of needed gear. If you need help acquiring any of this, definitely let us know! We are happy to help.
rain pants, rain coats, rain boots
snow pants, winter coat, snow boots (Waterproof), gloves or mittens, waterproof gloves or mittens, winter hat
warm base layers (recommended materials: wool, silk, or synthetic, but not cotton), wool socks, sweaters
sturdy outdoor shoes for warmer months, ideally waterproof- no flip flops
sun hats, long light layers for sun and bug protection
changes of clothes each day
backpack
FULL 32oz. water bottle(s)
Please reference the Gear Guide for more detailed information, and view the Rain Gear slideshow to be sure you have the correct waterproof gear
I agree to wear appropriate clothing or to send my child with the requested weather appropriate clothing, adequate food, and FULL water bottles. I understand that lack of appropriate clothing may result in my child not being able to participate in the activities for the day or in some cases for safety may result in being sent home.
Communication
We will communicate with parents of children, and students of adult classes via email, personal text, and group text. We communicate vital information this way, including what to bring the next day for class, road closures, or announcing early pickup due to inclement weather, or class cancellations due to weather events.
I agree to check my emails and texts regularly, and respond quickly if needed. Pay special attention the night before class, and during program times.
Arrival, Dismissal, and Absences
If you or your child will not be attending the program, please send us an email or text message as soon as you are aware that this is the case. It helps us know who we are waiting for before beginning the day.
If you are attending a drop-off program, please be on time for drop off and pick up.
Homeschool Tutorial drop off is from 9am until 9:15am. Teachers will be on location preparing for the day, so please wait if you arrive early. Please be on location and ready to receive your child at 1pm. We end our session with a closing circle and children are dismissed from there.
Little Explorers drop off is at 9:15am and pickup is at 12:45pm.
After School Program drop if is from 3pm until 3:30pm. Pick up is at 5pm.
If you are more than 10 minutes late picking up, there is a $1/min late charge per child.
If you are enrolled in a program not listed above, please check the program page for drop off and pick up times.
I agree to notify Judy of absences as soon as possible, and to arrive on time for the program start and to pick up on time for program end.
Park Rules
Please respect and follow park regulations while in the park. Dogs must be kept on leash at all times in Metro parks and State parks. All traffic laws MUST be obeyed when driving through the parks. This includes the posted Speed Limit, as well as traveling in the correct direction around the ONE WAY LOOP in Percy Warner, and parking only in designated parking areas. These regulations are non-negotiable, and we risk losing our permit if parents or adult students disobey these rules.
I agree to abide by all posted traffic regulations when in the park.
Inclement Weather Policy
Since we are meeting outdoors, our environment is up to the elements. We love this. But it also means that sometimes it will not be safe to be outside. We will have the following procedures in place based on inclement weather.
Lightning. If it is storming with lightning before the program start time, we may choose to start the program late, once the storm has died down. We will communicate group text about this, so please check your texts regularly. If the storm begins after drop-off and we feel we are in danger, we will call parents to pick up early.
Snow/Ice. If weather is severe and the roads are not safe to drive, we may choose to meet online, or to start late. We will send group texts in this case. If a snowstorm begins after drop-off, we may text parents for early pickup.
Extreme Heat or Cold. If the temperature raises or lowers to an extreme level, we may choose to meet online, or to text parents for early pickup.
I understand that extreme weather conditions might lead to program cancellation, late start, or early pickup. I agree to check texts and emails for notifications of changes.
Pocket Knives
(does not apply to Little Explorers or Adult Classes)
We understand that many families teach their children to use pocket knives, and other tools safely. Children over 6 are permitted, with parent’s permission to bring their pocket knives in their backpacks to our program. However, no child will be permitted to lend or share their pocket knife with another child. Furthermore, use of a pocket knife will only be allowed at certain times with teacher permission.
I understand and will talk to my child about the Pocket Knife policy.
Tree Climbing
If your child chooses to climb trees or other natural or man-made structures at Nature Explorers, you agree to assume all liability for these activities. Teachers will not encourage or help children to climb.
I understand and assume complete liability for my child’s climbing.
Restrooms
There are not always nearby restrooms at our program sites. At some locations, we have access to port-a-potties at the trailheads, or within a 10 minute walk from the program site. If you or your child needs the restroom more urgently, or we are at a program site where there are no restrooms and where it is allowed (according to park or location ordinances), we practice what we call "nature potty". We will teach children how to properly find a location for using the restroom, how to dig a hole if needed, etc, and how to pack out toilet paper. We will provide a shovel, toilet paper, and hand sanitizer. Please talk to your children about using the restroom in port-a-potties, or outdoors, and help them practice if need be.
We have learned that occasionally a younger child might feel anxious about this if they've never done it before, and it has been helpful for them to practice with their guardians first. Teachers are unable to help individual children toilet each time it is necessary. If a child is unable to use the bathroom without teacher help (beyond helping them find an appropriate place, or dig holes), they may not be ready for this program. Please check the details of your program to find out more about restroom availability during program hours.
I understand that I or my child may not have access to flush toilets and running water during the program time, and that children will be fully capable of using a port-a-potty or going nature potty on their own by the start of class.
Eyesight and Earshot
(does not apply to Adult Classes or Little Explorers)
The general rule is that children should stay within eyesight of a teacher at all times. In our Little Explorers Program, this is always the case. However, in our longer programs such as Homeschool Tutorial, as the semester progresses, some children may earn the privilege of going out of eyesight at certain times, or for certain purposes. This is after the teachers have seen they are capable of safety and of consistently following the Agreements. Children will never be allowed to go out of eyesight alone except for privacy when changing or going “nature potty”. Children will always need to remain within earshot of teachers so that communication can happen at any time. Examples of this include: several children going back to a location we just walked from to retrieve a forgotten water bottle, a group of children working on a fort in the woods while the rest of the children and teachers are in the area just beyond the woods, a group of children going ahead of a teacher on a hike to wait for them at a designated location. We find this to be one of the most powerful aspects of our program, and this privilege allows us to build trust, and teach the children to trust themselves.
I understand that my child may earn the privilege of going out of eyesight if the teacher deems the situation safe, and the child as able to do it safely.
Conduct Agreements
(We ask adults to also follow the Agreements, but there is no reminder system in place. We hold the Little Explorers to the Agreements as well, without reminders.)
On the first day of any program, we guide the children in creating a list of group Agreements of how to behave, how to take care of ourselves, and how to relate to each other. For some programs, each child and teacher will be asked to sign a copy of the Agreements. Children in our Little Explorers Program are not expected to uphold agreements that are not developmentally appropriate, so some of these do not apply to this age group. For the older children, the agreements help the group work together in a way that is supportive of both nature, each other, and ourselves. Due to the nature of being outdoors and in the elements, it will be important for everyone to honor the Agreements.
Respect Nature
Respect the environment and its inhabitants
Using respectful language
Conserve and Preserve
Leave no trace
Pay attention/be aware/be present/observe
Respect Others
Listen respectfully
Use kind words
Ask before touching
Be honest
Listen and act the first time
Respect Self
Be kind and gentle to yourself
Take your time
Listen to your body
Ask for help when you need it: try yourself first, then ask a friend, then ask a teacher
Speak kindly about yourself
We understand that developmentally, each child is on a path of learning how to follow expectations. Because of the necessity of safety in outdoor spaces, we will emphasize the importance of doing our best at upholding the class agreements.
Mistakes are a key part of learning. If a child struggles to consistently follow the Agreements in a given class, we will have a system of Formal “Reminders.” This allows the child to make mistakes, make amends, and try again. This also indicates if the program and the child are a good fit for each other.
Reminder 1: Go over the agreements with the child one-on-one.
Reminder 2: Go over the agreements with the child one-on-one, Parents are informed of incident, Teachers give an age-appropriate “repair” opportunity.
Reminder 3: Go over the agreements with the child one-on-one, Parents are informed of incident, Teachers give an age-appropriate “repair” opportunity. It is made clear to the child they have one last chance to stay in the course for the semester, and the Parents are now “on call”. This program might not be the right fit for the child at this time.
Reminder 4: Final Consequence: The program is not a good fit for the child at this time. Parents are called to pick up the child. The group wishes the child well, the child may return for a different semester. A conversation with teachers and parent(s), will need to happen before enrolling in a second session. A child gets a second, and final, chance to participate in the safety expectations of the group.
If a child puts themselves, other children, or teachers in immediate danger, they may not get the 4 Reminders, and could be asked to leave the program immediately.
Please Note: We are not set up to adequately support children with certain behavioral and developmental challenges. If you have any questions as to whether we can support your child with where they are, please reach out to us prior to registration.
I understand that my I and my child will be asked to uphold agreements of conduct. If they are unable to do so repeatedly, endangering themselves or others, they may be asked to leave the program for the remainder of the semester. I also understand that I could be asked to pick my child up early from the program.
Payments and Refunds
Some programs offer a refund policy, some are non-refundable. Please be aware of the policy, which is listed on the programs home page.
We are a very small business and rely on registration numbers to run our programs and pay all associated fees. Thus, we are unable to have flexible refund policies. We thank you for your understanding.
I have read, and agree to the refund policy listed on the program’s webpage.