We’ll be outdoors in all weather, so it is important for children to be properly dressed. In cold months, children should dress in layers, with snow pants, wool socks, gloves, and hats. Proper rain gear is a necessity for rainy days. A detailed email will be sent about weather specific recommendations.

Your child will also need a backpack with a water bottle, food (see below for details), and one change of clothes. In warm months, children may also bring sunblock and bug spray. All materials for projects will be provided, but program specific needs may be communicated in advance of your session. The backpack should be big enough to hold all required items, but small enough for children to manage independently. Children will have their backpacks with them while moving around (in the case pf 6+ programs) so please do not overpack.

Please *do not* bring any of the following items to any program: electronics, cell phones, toys, knives, or other tools not permitted by the instructor.

Your child will be quite active during our programs. As such, please pack a high energy, healthy snack and lunch, and a big bottle (20oz or more) of water. Check in with your child at pick up to see if they are hungry or overtired and adjust their food accordingly. We will notify parents in advance if anyone in the group has a major food allergy.

First Aid:
Our lead instructor Alexis is CPR/First Aid certified and is equipped with a first aid kit at all times. She will notify parents of any minor injuries (scratches, cuts, tick bites) during pick up that day. Parents will be called immediately to report any injury that may require attention above basic first aid to discuss next steps.
Hazards:
The instructor will set clear expectations for behavior near hazards, including but not limited to, tree-climbing, fire, wielding sticks or stones, deadfall, wasp nests, poison ivy and other wild plants. Students are instructed from their first class to ask permission before eating any wild plant. Every leaf, every time. There will be no eating of mushrooms, ever.

Behavioral Management Practices:
Safety is the number one priority in our programs and we have a zero-tolerance policy for any behaviors or actions intended to harm another individual or one’s self. At the beginning of a session, the instructor will facilitate a discussion among all children to set a group code of conduct. When a behavioral issue doesn’t affect group safety, we allow natural consequences to be the teacher. When it does become a concern, we start by issuing a warning and eventually consult the parent for next-steps if the behavior persists.

In order for a child to participate in our activities, he or she must be autonomous and ready to be away from a parent or caregiver for some time. Children left in our care should be able to:
• Follow directions.
• Share and communicate needs.
• Stay with the group at all times.
• Be open, accepting, and respectful
• Carry their backpack/gear by themselves (in the case of ages 6+ programs).
• Use the bathroom independently (sometimes impromptu, in the forest in the case of ages 6+ programs).

We encourage drop-off to foster independence, but if your child is hesitant about separation, please reach out to us to discuss how we can help ease the transition!

Before drop-off:
Dress your child accordingly for the day in clothes they can get dirty. Please check your child’s backpack to ensure they have everything they need for an awesome class, especially water, lunch, and rain gear if there is a chance of rain. Park in the main lot and walk them over to our gathering area. Please wait with your child until the instructor approaches you for sign-in!
At pick-up:
We'll be finishing up our closing circle with your children so please wait to approach until we are dismissed! Each person who picks up your child must be on your approved pickup list you filled out when registering, and must have a photo ID if coming for the first time. Please wait for the instructor to acknowledge your presence before disappearing with your child :) Check your kids for ticks ASAP and expect their clothes dirty, hair messy, and eyes sparkling!

We offer a 50% refund if you need to withdraw prior to TWO weeks before the start of the session. After the two week mark, there are no refunds.

We like to show children that we can enjoy nature in all its glory, so class will run rain or shine! Since some of our activities are sedentary, we will craft under a tarp shelter in the case of rain. In inclement weather involving unsafe roads, well below freezing temps, dangerous winds, thunder, etc. we will reschedule to a weather make-up date. We will notify you by 8am the day of a canceled class.

Unfortunately, we cannot offer a refund if you are unable to attend a class. Please kindly let the lead instructor know if your child will miss a class!

It’s possible that your child will be nervous being dropped off in a new setting. We promise to do everything in our ability to comfort, engage, and redirect your child as they acclimate. Unfortunately, in the event that your child is inconsolable and, more importantly, deemed disruptive to the program, they will not be eligible to participate and no refund for remaining classes will be issued.

Parents homeschool for many different reasons. In special circumstances, provided the class is not already full, we allow children to drop-in for one class to see if it is a good match. It doesn’t hurt to ask, so contact us at hello@magicnatureschool.com!

NO. If you have any specific questions or concerns about this subject, please reach out at hello@magicnatureschool.com.