FOR ALL YOUTH PARTICIPANTS FROM YOUR FAMILY: KATIE’S KROPS

Youth Program Details, Rules and Expectations *

Program Purpose

The purpose of this co-op is to provide an enriching opportunity for homeschool children ages 6 – 9 to interact, socialize, collaborate with and learn alongside a consistent peer group. The Katie’s Krops flagship garden will be the backdrop for all learning and will provide opportunities for exploration and discovery as well as a connection to food, the natural world around them, each other, and their community.

Participants should possess age-appropriate social and emotional skills, be comfortable outdoors for long periods of time, and should be able to stay focused during hour-long learning sessions and hands-on activities with varying degrees of assistance and guidance.

While we will make every effort to ensure all participants feel welcome and provide them with a fun and supportive learning environment, students should want to be outdoors and engaged in learning, be able to follow instructions and appropriately interact with, learn with, and work alongside peers and educators.

Program Details

• This program will run for 6 weeks (February 24, March 3, 10, 24, 31 & April 4) from 10:00 – 12:30, unless otherwise noted or communicated. Please note: the art portion of class will not take place on March 31st and we will instead do a garden activity (ex: planting, harvesting, watering, etc).

• Participants must register for the whole 6-week program. Individual class sign-ups or drop-in dates are not available.
• This program is for children ages 6 and up with a caregiver present.
• Class fees are due upon registration and are nonrefundable.
• This program takes place in the Katie’s Krops flagship garden, which is 100% outdoors. We will spend time in the Outdoor Classroom as well as around the flagship garden.
• We will cover a variety of topics and complete several activities throughout the session, some crafts and planting projects may go home with your student!
• While an occasional (allergen free) snack may be offered as part of a learning activity, participants must bring their own nut-free lunch, snack, and water for the day.
• This program is hands-on and will offer opportunities for planting, harvesting, crafting, playing, connecting with our community, and participating in up-close investigations of the natural world around us.

Rules for Cultivating Kindness and Respect

At Katie’s Krops, we believe in creating a nurturing and inclusive learning community. Kindness and respect are the cornerstones of our homeschool program, ensuring a positive and supportive environment for everyone. We kindly request that all participants, including students, parents, and educators, adhere to the following guidelines:

Treat Others with Kindness:

• Show empathy and compassion towards fellow learners.
• Be mindful of differences and embrace diversity.
• Support and encourage one another in both successes and challenges.

Respect Each Other:

• Listen attentively when others are speaking.
• Value diverse perspectives and opinions.
• Use polite and considerate language in all interactions.

Create a Safe Space:

• Foster an atmosphere where everyone feels safe expressing themselves.
• Report any concerns promptly to the program coordinator.
• Work together to maintain a positive and welcoming learning environment.

Remember that by embodying kindness and respect and following safety rules, we contribute to a harmonious, safe, and enriching homeschool experience for everyone involved. Thank you for your commitment to creating a supportive community within Katie’s Krops.

Rules Participants and Parents Need to Know:

• All participants must be dressed appropriately for outdoor exploration and play. Please check the weather each day to ensure proper attire. We plan to get dirty and have fun!
• For safety reasons, all participants and garden visitors must wear closed toe shoes in order to enter the garden. Anyone not wearing closed-toe shoes must leave the garden and return with appropriate footwear.
• Katie’s Krops is a working garden and inherent risks of injury or harm may occur. There may be tripping hazards such as hoses, uneven terrain, sharp tools, rocks, roots, etc., and we ask all participants and visitors follow all posted and verbally communicated rules at all times.
• We require that all visitors refrain from running in or through the garden; mishandling garden tools; or climbing fencing, garden beds, benches or other structures to help reduce the risk of injury or harm.
• Participants must abide by rules and guidelines set forth by the program/activity staff. 

BEHAVIOR POLICY:

Each participant has a reasonable expectation to enjoy a positive program experience. Therefore, the misbehavior of one participant, or a group of participants, will not be permitted to impact negatively on the program experience of others.

Participants failing to adhere to program rules, or exhibiting behavior clearly intended to annoy or endanger other participants, will be formally warned and a parent/guardian will be notified and asked for assistance in remedying the situation. Should misbehavior continue or a resolution be unable to be reached, the participant may be dismissed from the program. Egregious safety violations/misbehavior, such as actions which may put the participant or other participants in danger may result in immediate dismissal from the program.

Katie’s Krops has a no tolerance policy for bullying or discrimination of any kind.

NOTE: KATIE’S KROPS EXPECTS EACH PARTICIPANT TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM EXPERIENCE. PARTICIPANTS DISMISSED FROM THE PROGRAM FOR DISCIPLINARY REASONS WILL NOT RECEIVE A REFUND OF ANY FEES PAID TO ATTEND THE PROGRAM.

WEATHER POLICY:

This program takes place 100% outdoors, unless otherwise scheduled. We ask that parents pay close attention to the weather forecasts and send their children to the program dressed appropriately for the day’s weather and with enough food to stay nourished and water to stay hydrated. We also ask that parents apply any desired sunscreen and/or bug spray beforehand. Katie’s Krops is unable to apply and/or supply these items on your child’s behalf.

Katie’s Krops will closely monitor official weather authorities for local and national weather forecasts and use best judgment and discretion in making changes due to weather-related conditions. In the event of inclement weather (ex: rain, thunderstorms, extreme weather conditions or temperatures, etc), Katie’s Krops will notify all participants by 8:00 am the day of the program via email and/or text message of any changes to operations. We will reschedule for another date/time, or cancel, if necessary. In the event we are unable to schedule a suitable make-up day, you may receive a credit on your account for the pro-rated day’s amount to be used in a future class/activity of your choosing within six (6) months of the missed class.

SICK POLICY:

Katie’s Krops is dedicated to maintaining a healthy and safe learning environment for all participants. We ask that anyone exhibiting symptoms of illness sit out from that day’s activity. Participants must be fever-free without medication for 24 hours before returning to the program.

Parent and Student Pledge:

By electronically signing this waiver, I/we understand the disciplinary procedures described above. I/we understand failure to demonstrate proper conduct during a program/activity may result in early dismissal from the program/activity without any refund of fees paid to attend. We pledge to abide by all program/activity rules and to exercise good behavior and proper respect for others.

PHOTO RELEASE:

By electronically signing this waiver, I hereby grant permission to Katie’s Krops and all visiting educators to use photographs and/or video of my child taken in the course of the program in publications, news releases, online, and in other communications related to the mission of Katie’s Krops or visiting educator.

KATIE’S KROPS PARENTAL WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY FORM READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING *(required)

FOR ALL YOUTH PARTICIPANTS FROM YOUR FAMILY: KATIE’S KROPS PARENTAL PERMISSION AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY FORM READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING

In consideration for my child’s participation in Katie’s Krops Enrichment Series, hosted by Katie’s Krops, I hereby release, waive, and discharge Katie’s Krops and its Board of Trustees, its officers, agents, employees, volunteers and representatives from all claims, demands, liabilities, rights and causes of action of whatever kind or nature, that may result from or occur during my child’s participation in this PROGRAM, whether caused by negligence of Katie’s Krops, its Board of Trustees, officers, agents, employees or representatives or otherwise.  I also agree to indemnify and hold harmless Katie’s Krops for any loss, liability, damage or costs, including court costs and attorney’s fees that may occur as a result of my or my child’s negligent or intentional act or omission while participating in this PROGRAM.

In consideration for my child being allowed to participate in this program, I the undersigned, acknowledge, appreciate and agree that:

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISK

I am fully aware of the inherent risks involved with these activities, such as bug bites, scrapes, splinters, heat, cold, including but not limited to the risks associated with all activities listed herein and risks associated with physical activity.

I agree to pay for any and all medical costs that may directly or indirectly result from my child’s participation in this program.

I have read and agree that my child and I will abide by the terms of the Katie’s Krops Program/Activity Rules and Disciplinary Procedures.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION

I acknowledge that my child is in good physical condition and I do not know of any medical or physical conditions or other reasons that my child should not participate in the Program or which could interfere with my child’s safety in such Program, or else I am willing to assume, and bear the cost of all risks that may be created, directly or indirectly by any such condition as it relates to my child’s participation in this Program/Activity. I understand that if “good physical condition” includes and/or requires the management of a medical condition, my child must be able to self-manage and self-administer any required medications. My child’s participation in any Program is purely voluntary, and I elect to have my child participate in spite of the risks and known or unknown dangers associated with this Program and I do hereby voluntarily assume full responsibility for any risk of loss, property damage or personal injury, including death, that may result from my child’s participation in event activities.

FURTHERMORE, I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND HAVE HAD SUFFICIENT TIME TO SEEK EXPLANATION OF THE PROVISIONS CONTAINED ABOVE.  AFTER CAREFUL CONSIDERATION, I SIGN THIS DOCUMENT VOLUNTARILY AND WITHOUT ANY INDUCEMENT. MY ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE ON THIS DOCUMENT SHALL CARRY THE SAME FORCE AS A PHYSICAL SIGNATURE