You’ll receive a complete list of necessary information after you register, but here are some things to know before you commit.

What To Bring/Wear

– Please dress your child in weather appropriate layers. If you are new to spending large chunks of time outdoors, please don't hesitate to contact us for recommendations. Better to be over-prepared than under! Scroll down for Winter layering tips or check out this post! 
– Please equip your child with a small backpack containing a water bottle and a change of clothes. Please label any bags or loose items your child brings with them with their name. We do not bring a wagon on the trail, so your child must be responsible for any items they bring with them. We will offer reminders to make sure their items stay with us as we move through the woods.
– We will have a small supply of extra outerwear and shoes/boots available in various sizes. This is to help keep everyone comfortable in the event that someone missed the mark on appropriate layers for the day or if they become too wet to remain warm/comfortable. Please do your best to dress your child for success as we may not always have the correct size & item available for use.
– Our Beverly Hills location features part of the Rouge River. We encourage exploration and allow children to learn their personal comfort boundaries as far as getting wet (and possibly cold!) so children will have the choice of exploring the sensations of the river or not. Water-tight clothing is strongly encouraged during the Winter (alternatively – water shoes, shorts and/or swimsuits for warm days). Send us a message if you need brand recommendations. 
– Send your child ready to be outside (with sunscreen & bug spray applied if you anticipate the need for it). Natural bug spray and sunscreen will be provided on an as-needed basis.
– Hand warmers will be provided as needed.
– Bathing after being in the woods is always a good idea. Spring is tick season and poison ivy remains on the trail year round. The river we play in is part of the Rouge River which has been deemed safe for play, but some families prefer to rinse off after river play as well.

Missed Classes & Cancelations

– Please keep your child at home if they are actively sick.
– Please let us know as soon as possible (preferably the day before or at least 2 hrs prior to the start of your session) if you will not be able to make it. This helps our leaders plan for the day. There is no refund or make-up session for classes missed by families.
– Sessions will be cancelled (or rescheduled whenever possible) if temps are below 30 degrees F during our meeting time or if other extreme weather is expected (if a cancellation is necessary you will be refunded for the day).

Other Considerations

– We will provide a generous snack toward the end of the day. Many kids like to bring something small from home to have in their backpacks, in addition to our shared snack, to munch on on the trail. You will be alerted if there are any allergies in the group and will be expected to respect those boundaries when sending food. 
– Children work together to prep our co-op snacks. We wash hands using soap and water (or a wet wipe) before using our hands to work with the food. On non-co-op days (in the Winter) we wash hands if needed and use serving utensils for the pre-prepared snack. It is not feasible to expect that food be 100% germ-free when kids are involved, but we do ask those who are actively sick to remain home as not to spread illnesses. Preparing, serving and sharing our food together is an important part of our community.
– Know your kid – your child will be free to explore the elements (within reason and with safety precautions in place). Expect that they may get wet or dirty. Please send them with clothing that supports their individual needs & interests for outdoor play (For example: a child who does not like being wet, but likes to splash should be fully waterproofed. A child who loves being wet and experiencing the shock of ice water and/or does not have waterproof footwear should bring a change of shoes/boots in the Winter!)
– Your child may be given the opportunity to use a knife (for snack prep or woodworking) under the close supervision of one of our leaders.
– Please advise us of any learning differences, needs strong preferences of your child or other needs for special attention if you have not already done so on your registration. Thank you!

See you outside!