Welcome! Below are Frequently Asked Questions to help parents decide if our program is a good fit to support your child’s needs. Programs are currently offered for children ages 3, 4, 5, and 6.

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What is the purpose of Nature School Day Camp?

Our nature programs are designed to support parents, teachers, and students from any school district experiencing various school changes due to COVID-19. Our programs do not replace school. They are designed to support children, parents, and teachers during these tumultuous times of school structural changes. We realize the challenges of COVID-19 have been extremely difficult for educators and families and we want to do our part to help!

• Designed to offer learning at home enrichment and support

• For ages 3 – 6

• Supports 4K, 5K & 1st Gr

• Activities are S.T.R.E.A.M. focused (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, Math and Music)

• Offered September through May

• Socialization with social distance

• Activities are mostly outdoors

• Small group size

• Face covering currently optional 

 

How does Nature School Day Camp support children, parents, and educators?

Nature School Day Camp is designed to support parents and offer home-school enrichment. Programs focus on STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, math and music) and are designed to offer support and socialization for students in a small group setting.  Our programs do not replace school but are designed to match and support the school curriculum in a non-school educational setting. We have reached out to area teachers in grades 4K, 5K, & 1 for feedback on how to best support them during this difficult time and are using feedback to design programming.

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Who can enroll in Nature School Day Camp?

Any child of any ability ages 3, 4, 5, and 6.

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When is Nature School Day Camp?

Day Camps are offered September through May. You may register for just 1 week or multiple weeks. Afternoon sessions only from 1230 – 330 pm. 

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What is the daily schedule?

We offer half day programs. Half days are designed to provide support, structure, and socialization to children while giving parents time to refresh and plan for at-home learning the other half of the day. Our programs give kids a break from screen time and gets them outside, active, and engaged! Games, activities, and crafts will be designed around STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, math and music) and topics relatable to curriculum for grades 4K, 5K and 1st grade.

 

Where is Nature School Day Camp located?

Myrick Park Center located at 789 Myrick Park Drive, La Crosse, WI 54601

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What if my child needs assistance using the toilet?

Campers MUST be independent to use the toilet OR have non-WisCorps staff to assist.

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What will children do for lunch?

Sessions times are half days so lunch will not be occurring during our programs.  Children should eat lunch at home and bring their own snacks and water each day.

 

Do Nature School Day Camps replace school or run school programs?

NO! Our programs are designed to support children, parents, and teachers but in no way replace school or school curriculum.

 

What are group sizes?

Group sizes will be a maximum of 10 children. Groups will be made of up children ages 3, 4, 5, and 6.

 

How are your programs different than other programs?

WisCorps’ Education Program is overseen and taught by a professional educator and biologist.  Our specialty is hands-on, boots-in-the-mud learning and experiencing in NATURE! All programming takes place in and around a nature center and curriculum is based around STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, math and music). We are not a replacement for school but we will structure our programs to match topics relatable to current school curriculum. Research shows that direct exposure to nature is essential for the physical and emotional health of children and we believe this is more important now than ever before.

 

What if I try to register and it’s full?

We will keep a waiting list and reach out if space opens up. Please email Steph Hanna at steph.hanna@wiscorps.org to be added to the waitlist.

 

Do you have extended day options?

Yes! We offer afternoon sessions 3:30pm-5pm. Extended day is $5/day (or $25 per week). Extended day can be added in 1 week increments.  

 

Is there a fee?

Yes! Nature School Day Camp is a fee-based service similar to any other youth development activity programs. Fees support our ability to offer quality programs to families. Fees are offered on a per week basis ($125 total/week). You may register for any or all of the options. See above for information about our Scholarship Fund.

 

Sibling discounts

Yes! We have a sibling discount for this program of 10% per week of camp. The sibling discount does not apply to the extended care option.

 

Would my child with special education or physical needs be welcome?

Yes! WisCorps is dedicated to creating an accessible and inclusive environment and we welcome children of all abilities. However, children must be independent to use the toilet or have a non-WisCorps staff to assist.

 

What protections and procedures are in place to fight community spread of COVID-19?

WisCorps & Myrick Park Center are following current CDC guidelines. Face coverings are currently optional. Teachers or children must stay home if they are not feeling well or must be picked up immediately if not feeling well throughout the day. Teachers will teach and reinforce good hygiene practices and hand washing. Close contact will be minimized and cleaning protocols are in place.

 

Who will be supervising campers?
Programs are supervised by WisCorps Education Manager, educator, and biologist Steph Hanna. WisCorps’ Nature Teachers are AmeriCorps members fully trained to work with children in an educational setting. Some programs may also have extra support from Naturalist Volunteers. All Naturalist Volunteers are fully trained and background checked WisCorps volunteers.  Most of our Naturalist Corps volunteers are retired educators or those with some type of education background. All staff and volunteers are background checked, fully trained, and operating under stringent COVID-19 safety protocol.

 

What measures are in place to foster a sense of normalcy for children in a pandemic world?

Daily routines and structure offer stability during times of stress and create an environment that empowers children to build confidence and independence. Social and emotional learning is an important area of development for children. Nature School Day Camp creates a structured environment with small group sizes to continue socialization in a safe environment. Social distancing will be taking place throughout the day but we work within these parameters of the pandemic to still provide important aspects of socialization such as using manners, acts of kindness, inclusion, and emotional awareness.

 

Will the staff and children have to wear masks?

Masks are currently optional for staff and for children. As educators in science, we feel strongly it is important to follow where the science takes us! Current research shows masks are a simple and effective tool during the pandemic. This tool offers stability to programs by decreasing the risk of virus spread which helps us create a safe environment and continue to provide services.  

 

What is your illness protocol?

Staff, parents, and campers should know the symptoms of COVID-19:

(list updated from La Crosse County Health Department 8/20/20)

• Fever

• Chills

• Runny nose

• Congestion

• Muscle or body aches

• Cough

• Tiredness

• Headache

• Loss of sense of taste or smell

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

 

Staff and families should notify WisCorps and contact healthcare providers if they develop symptoms of COVID-19 or any other illness and will be asked to STAY HOME until they are symptom-free for 72 hours.

Children have always been monitored for signs of illness during day camps and now this will include signs of COVID-19. Any camper who becomes unwell during day camp will be immediately separated from others and the teacher will contact the parent and/or emergency contact to pick the camper up immediately.  Children or staff who test positive for COVID-19 should follow the county’s current recommendations for self-isolation.

 

How do I register?

Registration is live at www.wiscorps.org/daycamps and will close Friday before the first week of camp or when full. If you are unable to register because a camp is full, email Steph Hanna at steph.hanna@wiscorps.org.

 

Will these programs be canceled due to the current health situation?

You may have been involved in our Summer Day Camp programs and a few things will be different for Nature School Day Camps. Our summer programs made the decision on a week by week basis of continuing or canceling based on the current community risk of COVID-19. We have learned a lot since the start of the pandemic. With the knowledge we have gained and the need for stability to support families during the school year, we plan to remain open unless the situation largely changes.   Even though we are still learning, we feel confident that this is a good way to work within the parameters of the pandemic to stay as safe as possible while providing needed services to families. We will continue to monitor the situation, learn, and follow the science to make the best decisions we can regarding COVID-19.

 

What is the refund policy?

If, for whatever reason, WisCorps cancels Nature School Day Camp, you will be given the option to receive a full refund. If you need to cancel enrollment in a camp, a full refund will be issued only when you cancel 2 weeks prior to the start of the class.  If you need to cancel less than two weeks before camp due to illness you will receive a 50% refund. Refunds will be processed once per month.

Contact us with questions at: steph.hanna@wiscorps.org