Homeschool Program policies and information

All of GROW's programs at the garden lab are entirely outdoors. It is important that students arrive prepared to engage in nature and cope with varying weather conditions. We recommend dressing in layers for early spring and fall, and dressing in lightweight breathable fabrics during hot summer months. Be prepared to bring rain boots and rain jackets on days when rain is expected. Sunhats are also suggested on sunny days. Please apply sunscreen and bug spray to your child prior to class each week.
We still have class when it rains. Most of the time. We do not have access to indoor shelter in inclement weather. Therefore, in general we will still plan to conduct class during rainfall but may decide to cancel if it is is going to be heavy. If there is a risk of severe weather, we will not have class that day. You will be notified at least 1 hour before the start of your program if we will not be having class.

Middle Tennessee is home to an abundance of insects including ticks, chiggers, and mosquitoes. Please be sure to take appropriate precautions to protect your child from these pests. It is advisable that children wear closed-toed shoes to the garden lab to protect their feet from sharps, stinging insects, snakes that may be hidden in the grass, or leaf litter inside the forest. These simple steps help to ensure your child is comfortable while at GROW and able to focus on the joy of learning in nature.
There is no restroom on site. Our current process is to guide the child to a private area of the woods to use the bathroom. If needed, there is a port-a-potty nearby at the dog park.
Drop-off and pick-up will take place at the GROW Enrichment parking lot. We can be hard to find for some, so take a look at our pinned location here.
- Directions:
  - We are off the same road that leads to Two Rivers Dog Park
  - When turning off McGavock Pike onto Two Rivers Lane, take the first right between the metal pylons onto the side road.
  - Follow the curve toward the left, which will lead you toward the GROW site to a parking lot on the right just before the chained gate.

While classes are standalone, we highly encourage students to attend every week! Community-building is an important part of the journey, so we hope that students rarely miss a class. We only have 12 short weeks in the semester, and every week is an opportunity to learn and grow together!
A parent is required to attend with children ages 3-5. This program is designed as an explorative journey where parent and child learn together! Your engaged presence during program time is essential to helping your child develop confidence, build a sense of community, and strengthen your bond with one another. We ask that you stay with your child at all times and actively participate in the activities with your child.
Parents of children ages 6-12 are asked to volunteer for 1-2 classes a semester. This helps us work together with the children and build community! You will receive a signup form to choose the days that work best for you.
GROW seeks to protect the privacy and safety of all learners within our community. Please be mindful with regards to taking videos or photographs during programming time and refrain from posting images of other children on your personal social media.
After you register your child, you will receive additional information regarding the class schedule, drop-off and pick-up procedures, and other important details.

A few key items will ensure a successful day at GROW:
- backpack
- peanut-free healthy snack (packing in a lunch box with ice packs recommended)
- reusable water bottle, preferably insulated. We will have a water refill station on site.
- a joyful disposition!
- if your child enjoys getting very wet and muddy, you may want to pack a change of clothes in their backpack

Consider moisture-wicking material, such as athletic clothing and synthetic fibers. Cotton is okay but it is not as cooling or drying.
Close-toed shoes. Because we go out into wooded and grassy areas, this is safest. This can be anything your child is comfortable in, but we recommend hiking shoes, hiking sandals like Keens, or any other sturdy shoe that secures to the foot. Expect that feet will get wet, as we regularly encounter creeks and streams!
Hat. A sunhat or baseball cap can come in handy on sunny days.