Covid Safety
What native, local bird has a wingspan near six feet?
(Read on to find out!)
Health and Safety Protocols
Our goal is to run a safe and supportive program for children, their families, our staff and their families. We support a culture of caring, and empower kids to learn and practice skills that reduce their risk and sustain community. We aim to minimize restrictions while maintaining a level of precaution that maximizes inclusion as we make our way through pandemic. Our research indicates that covid transmission is relatively low in the out of doors - so nature is a great place to be in this time!
Nature Learning Community will follow guidance from the CDC, the State of Michigan and the most current Washtenaw County Health Department’s Recommendations for Schools, Childcare, Camps and Sports. As knowledge and conditions change we’ll adjust our practices, too.
Here are the key elements of our current health and safety plan:
Daily Health Screening
Staying home when sick is a critical layer of prevention. This is always a good idea, but any communicable sickness right now, even a common cold, is disruptive to our lives. Thank you for keeping kids home when they’re not feeling fully well!
When Someone is Sick
Masks, Social Distancing and Ventilation
Following recommendations from the CDC, MHDDS, and the Washtenaw County Health Department, we’ll be asking that children bring masks to class, and use them in the following ways:
Here are some notes about distancing and ventilation:
Our goal is to run a safe and supportive program for children, their families, our staff and their families. We support a culture of caring, and empower kids to learn and practice skills that reduce their risk and sustain community. We aim to minimize restrictions while maintaining a level of precaution that maximizes inclusion as we make our way through pandemic. Our research indicates that covid transmission is relatively low in the out of doors - so nature is a great place to be in this time!
Nature Learning Community will follow guidance from the CDC, the State of Michigan and the most current Washtenaw County Health Department’s Recommendations for Schools, Childcare, Camps and Sports. As knowledge and conditions change we’ll adjust our practices, too.
Here are the key elements of our current health and safety plan:
Daily Health Screening
Staying home when sick is a critical layer of prevention. This is always a good idea, but any communicable sickness right now, even a common cold, is disruptive to our lives. Thank you for keeping kids home when they’re not feeling fully well!
- Teachers will greet each child individually and perform a brief health screening, including a temperature check, before they join the group.
- If a child has seasonal allergies that might cause them to exhibit symptoms such as those of COVID-19 we’ll require a doctor’s note clearing them and a negative rapid home test each day before camp as long as they’re symptomatic.
When Someone is Sick
- We must be notified if a child, or anyone in their household, tests positive for COVID-19 or is quarantined. We’ll follow protocols recommended by the Washtenaw County Health Department to inform families of any possible exposures.
- We are strongly encouraging our staff to stay home if they are not well. We’ll do everything we can to find subs, but it’s possible that staff illness will result in cancelled classes. Review our refund policy here.
Masks, Social Distancing and Ventilation
Following recommendations from the CDC, MHDDS, and the Washtenaw County Health Department, we’ll be asking that children bring masks to class, and use them in the following ways:
- Children will arrive masked. This will help staff verify that their mask is available and fits properly.
- We expect to be wearing masks less in camp this year. Children will be unmasked when seated and spaced apart, when wandering on the land, and when playing or doing activities with distance between them.
- Children will be asked to mask when their activities might involve closely approaching others repeatedly over a period of time (for example, working on a fairy house together). We’ll also be masked during games that involve any physical contact (though we’ll creatively restructure these when possible).
- Also, we’ll be supportive of kids, families, and staff who prefer to wear their masks most of the time.
Here are some notes about distancing and ventilation:
- Through creative planning, we’ll structure activities with distancing in mind
- Children will be asked, and gently reminded to space themselves out throughout the day.
- Whenever distancing isn’t working well, children will be asked to mask. This will be framed not as punitive, but as a more relaxed way to enjoy camp.
- When we shelter from thunderstorms in the barn or shed at the farm, we’ll open doors, spread out, and wear masks.
- Please note: Because we’re unable to use our usual warming shelters this year, class may be shortened or cancelled in very challenging weather.
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