EDUCATION PROGRAM POLICIES
Thank you for choosing the Effie Yeaw Nature Center as one of your field trip destinations or in-classroom experiences. Research supports the need to partner traditional teaching with experiences allowing children to interact with the natural world.
Please check your school year calendar and bus availability prior to choosing dates. Schedule as early as possible in the year to help ensure your preferred date and time.
Our two most important goals for your field trip/classroom program are:
1. Your class has a high quality and engaging educational experience
2. Your class has a safe and enjoyable nature experience
With these important goals in mind we have set up procedures that will help maintain safety for your group and will assure your students gain the maximum benefit from their visit. Please read the following as some policies have changed.
Reservations: All reservations are made on a “first-come, first-served” basis and processed according to date requested. Advance registration is required. Reservations are confirmed when you receive an invoice from the scheduling department. Do not assume you have a reservation until you receive your invoice. This serves as the confirmation for your program.
Payments:
Checks or credit card (MasterCard, VISA or American Express) accepted.
Program payments or PO (Purchase Order) numbers are due on receipt and must be receive no later than 30 days prior to the earliest presentation or service date. Make checks payable to Effie Yeaw Nature Center. Only single-check payments will be accepted per program; multiple checks from parents will be returned. Person(s) scheduling programs are responsible for related fees. Checks returned for insufficient funds will be charged an additional $50 fee.
Deposits: Programs require at least a 30% deposit or PO number within two (2) weeks of receiving confirmation email (unless program date/due date is sooner). Your reservation may be cancelled if Deposits/POs are not received in time. Deposits are not refundable.
Rescheduling: One rescheduling change request may be accommodated per invoice depending upon staff and program availability and if requested two (2) weeks prior to the program. A $50 service charge will be charged for each additional time a program is rescheduled by request. Programs will not be rescheduled less than two (2) weeks before the program date.
Cancellations: A $100 cancellation fee will be charged for any program cancelled 14 days or less before the first program date on your invoice.
Size: Programs are limited to one class per program, or up to a maximum of 35 students.
Nature Center Onsite Programs:
Program allows up to 8 adults (including teachers and aides) a maximum of 35 students. Programs held at the Nature Center require a minimum of 3-4 adult chaperones.
Supervision: The teacher and adult chaperones responsible for supervision and guidance and must remain with the students at all times. Teachers are encouraged to engage with their students throughout the program. Siblings are not permitted to attend.
Weather: Programs are delivered rain or shine. If the EYNC staff determines the conditions are unsafe, an alternate indoor program will be delivered or your program will be rescheduled. In the very rare event the CHP requests drivers stay off the roads due to unsafe conditions caused by extreme weather, EYNC staff will reschedule the program.
Unscheduled Groups: Groups without scheduled programs are welcome in the Nature Center and Nature Area after 1:30pm. The museum, Demonstration Nisenan Village and trails are unavailable to unscheduled groups while paid programs are in progress. Remember, groups on the trails must be 20 people or fewer (per County code) and all participants must stay on the trails at all times. Unscheduled groups are required to pay park entrance fees, $8 per car, $60 per bus. Please call the Nature Center and register as a walk-in group. Donations are gratefully accepted.
Effie Yeaw Nature Center on-site programs may include wading in a pond or river and hiking on unpaved, uneven trails, as indicated in the program description. All natural areas contain poisonous plants and animals as well as other natural hazards. Please ensure all participants have closed-toe shoes.
The Effie Yeaw Nature Center, American River Natural History Association (ARNHA) and the County of Sacramento, their officers and employees and any cosponsor of the activity, are held harmless from and against all liability for accident or injury to participants arising out of participation in this program.