Do parents stay for the program?
Nope! Parents are free to go, it is a fully supervised program. Parents drop off kids for all classes and pick-up in the same location.
Is there a list of parents I can call to hear about their child’s experience with HAW?
Yes! I will happily provide you with a list of parent contact information so you can hear more about my program from their perspective. This list is available upon request.
What is your child to adult ratio? What is the class size?
I keep a very small class size of 4 students for Chickadees, 6 students for Sparrows, and 7-10 campers in Summer Camp for which I bring on an assistant teacher.
In other programs with a 1 to 4 ratio, how much attention is your child really getting if there are 40 kids in the room even with 10 adults? How many of those 10 adults are actively engaging the children instead of managing other tasks?
Energy builds exponentially as group size increases. I prefer to focus my time and energy on the interaction with the student, and not on managing large groups, cleaning, or tasks like lunch prep. This gives us the ability to give each child the calm, insightful interaction with science and nature we strive for.
How strict are you age ranges?
I believe that there are many factors besides age that contribute to finding the right program and group for a child. The age ranges are a general guide and parents are encouraged to call me and talk over options for their child's needs. Chickadees are still working on potty training and taking naps, generally 2 - 3 1/2 years old. The Sparrows, usually 3 1/2 - 5 years old can go until 12:30 PM without a nap and feel comfortable using my trail potty, or going nature potty, with minimal assistance.
Do you have students with various cognitive or physical needs?
Time in nature can be incredibly beneficial for children with ADHD, anxiety, speech delays, sensory issues, and many other needs. Guided and unstructured time in nature can benefit many different diagnosis or concerns. Half Acre Woods is not a certified special education program, however I do have some years of experience working with students with varying and diverse needs, and are happy to discuss your child's needs with you before enrolling.
What is your enrollment or registration process?
To enroll please submit an online request form and we will be in touch with you to either confirm a spot or discuss availability .I do not require students to go through an application or interview process.
How is payment processed?
Check, Venmo, or Paypal
What trail packs and gear do you recommend?
I have an array of gear that I recommend to parents depending on the age of their student(s). Once you are confirmed in class or camp you will receive a list of recommended gear like packs, boots, and snack containers.
How should I pack snack and lunch?
Lightweight reusable fabric pouches are key! Heavy plastic or pyrex tupperware adds too much weight to their packs. Lunch boxes should be left home and the backpack should be treated like the lunch box.
What else should I pack in my child's trail pack?
Other than water, snack (and lunch for sparrows), the only other things that need to fit in the back are a jacket, a hat, and extra underwear/pants in case of bathroom accidents. I carry sunscreen, extra socks, first aid and wipes so no need to include those items in your child's pack.
What about Poison Oak and Snakes?
Poison oak is always nearby in Marin County and supplies important habitat for various organisms. One of the first plants we work on identifying is poison oak and I carry IvyX wipes to quickly mitigate any exposure that may occur. Snakes are also an essential part of the ecosystem and want nothing to do with humans. We move at a very slow pace listening for animals around us. Runners and off leash dogs are much more at risk of having a negative interaction with a snake then we are. Snake bite kits are outdated and proven ineffective, the best treatment for a bite is remaining calm to keep the heart rate down and calling 911 to receive antivenom as quickly as possible.
Your program is rain or shine, but what about flooding, thunderstorms and smoke?
If there is an unsafe amount of rain resulting in flood warnings or thunderstorm warnings class will be rescheduled. Class time can also be altered depending on the weather and the students' initial tolerance. We want experiences in the rain to be positive and adjust class length according to the amount of rain and the number of classes they have taken. In constant rainfall Chickadee and Sparrow class will be cut in half to help them build an appreciation for and comfort level with rain days. If rainfall is lighter, from mist to off and on showers, full days should be expected. On rainy days parents will discuss class length with the teacher at drop-off to ensure everyone is comfortable with the plan for the day.
I will not teach a full class with the AQI in the orange zone, if it fluctuates between yellow and orange we can have class as long as time in orange is under an hour to the best of our ability. We reschedule classes if AQI is in the red zone or above.