Policies

Please review all PUDDLESTOMPERS™ Policies before registering for any program

  • Changes in enrollment:

    • We will do our best to accommodate changes in enrollment, dependent on staff and availability.

    • All requests for changes must be confirmed in writing.

    Refund and Cancellation Policy:

    • No refunds are given for any of our programs, including but not limited to child/adult classes, habitat classes, vacation programs, birthday parties, and drop-off summer camp programs.*
      *Summer camp fees are refundable minus a deposit & processing fee if cancelled before March 1st; see “Summer Camp Refund Policy” below

    • No refunds are given during a program if a participant is sick, fails to attend, is absent, or is dismissed due to unsafe behavior (please see Behavior Policy section).

    • PUDDLESTOMPERS™ reserves the right to cancel or postpone classes due to low enrollment, inclement weather, or COVID-safety reasons. If PUDDLESTOMPERS™ must cancel a class due to these reasons, you will be issued either (depending on the class) a full refund minus a $25 processing fee, or a credit that can be used to register for a future class.

    Summer Camp Refund Policy:

    • Before March 1st, summer program fees are refundable minus a $100/child/week deposit and a processing fee of $25/child/week.

    • After March 1st, all summer program fees are non-refundable. A credit will be provided to families who cancel in writing before April 1st. This credit will be the full amount minus a $100/child/week deposit and a processing fee of $25/child/week. This credit will expire one year from the date it was issued and must be used for a program within that year. The credit cannot be used towards birthday parties.

    • After April 1st, no portion of the summer program fee will be refunded or credited.

    • If you need to change the weeks or the location in which your child is enrolled, we will need written notification 4 weeks prior to your child’s current registration. We will do our best to accommodate you based on staffing and availability.

  • Potty Training Policy:

    • All children attending drop-off programs MUST be potty-trained and able to independently use the facilities.

    • Due to health and safety regulations, if your child is not potty trained and attends a drop-off program, PUDDLESTOMPERS™ reserves the right to cancel your registration without a refund or credit.

    Behavioral Policies and Support Strategies:

    In order to maintain a safe space for your child and other children enrolled in PUDDLESTOMPERS™ programs, we follow strict behavioral guidelines. If any issues arise during a program, our PUDDLESTOMPERS™ staff are trained to mitigate any unsafe behaviors with positive reinforcement, redirection, and clear expectations. We will make sure to notify the parent/caregiver of any unsafe behaviors, which may result in a non-refundable cancellation of the remaining registration and/or an immediate pick-up from the program. Unsafe behaviors include, but are not limited to: hitting, biting, leaving the group, threatening behavior, or bullying.

    If your child is in an integrated classroom that provides additional support, or if your child is receiving any one-on-one support during the school year, one-on-one support will be required at all PUDDLESTOMPERS drop-off programs. If your child is receiving support/services please contact us prior to registering. We are happy to accommodate an aide. The aide will be provided by the families. Unfortunately, we are not equipped to provide one-on-one support. This is in order to maintain our strict teacher-to-student ratio and for the safety of ALL children attending our programs. This policy is to help provide support for your child to have a fun, successful experience at our nature programs.

    In addition, if your child attends a PUDDLESTOMPERS drop-off program and requires significant one-on-one attention during the program, we will notify the parents/guardian that accommodations for an aide must be made. The aide will be provided by the families. Unfortunately, we are not equipped to provide one-on-one support. This is in order to maintain our strict teacher-to-student ratio and for the safety of ALL children attending our programs. This policy is to help provide support for your child to have a fun, successful experience at our nature programs.

  • *For Drop-Off Vacation & Summer Programs ONLY

    The state of Massachusetts requires all camp enrollees to be up to date on their immunizations, as evaluated by the Board of Health. In accordance with Massachusetts Board of Health guidelines, all children attending PUDDLESTOMPERS Drop-off Programs must submit the following forms one month prior to the beginning of the program:

    • a physical (dated within 18 months of date of program)

    • a full immunization record

    • completed consent form

    • completed waiver of liability

    • your child’s COVID-19 vaccination status (if your child is 5 years or older, or will be by the program start date)
      *Per guidelines recently released by the Massachusetts Board of Health, PUDDLESTOMPERS requires documentation of your child’s vaccination status against COVID-19 for the purposes of contact tracing. Please note that their vaccination status will NOT impact your child’s participation in our programs.

    If the required forms are not submitted prior to the PUDDLESTOMPERS Drop-off Program start date, your child will not be allowed to attend the program per regulations from the Board of Health. PUDDLESTOMPERS reserves the right to cancel your enrollment without a refund or credit in the case of missing or incomplete paperwork.

  • In order to maintain a safe and healthy space for all children enrolled in a PUDDLESTOMPERS™ Program, we require all programs to be completely nut-free. If packing a snack or lunch for your child to enjoy during program time, please ensure that it does not contain peanuts or tree nuts. We recognize that many children attending our programs may have severe or life-threatening nut allergies, and are committed to creating a safe and healthy learning environment for all participants at our programs.

    PLEASE NOTE: tree nuts include almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts

  • *For Drop-Off Vacation & Summer Programs ONLY

    We require that all lunches, snacks, and other food items that a child brings with them to our Drop-Off Programs be clearly and completely labelled with their contents. If your child arrives with unlabelled food, we will provide you with a form to fill out upon drop-off specifying the contents of their lunch and snack.

    FOR EXAMPLE:
    Snack: Cheerios & yogurt
    Lunch: Apple, blueberries, & sunflower butter sandwich

    You may label your child’s lunch and snack with masking tape, a note, etc. You may also print out the example lunchbox label included in your parent packet (emailed 1 week prior to program) and fill it out before you arrive. Please feel free to contact us at info@puddlestompers.com or (617) 527-2000 if you have any questions.

  • *For Drop-Off Vacation & Summer Programs ONLY

    Early drop-off (8:20-9:00am) and Extended Day (1:30-3:30pm) are typically available on a daily basis at our Newton locations (PUDDLESTOMPERS Nature Center at Temple Beth Avodah, or Nahanton Park Nature Center). Early drop-off (8:20-9am) is available on a weekly basis at our Needham location (Eliot Elementary School & Sudbury Path). You can register online up to a week before the start of your program. If you would like to register for Early Drop-Off or Extended Day less than a week before the start of your program, you must speak to PUDDLESTOMPERS™ staff first. You can call us at (617) 527-2000 or email us at info@puddlestompers.com.

    Late Pick-Up Policy:

    • Late pick-up from a drop-off program is subject to a $25 late pick-up fee. This fee applies to both regular programming and extended day.

    • Late pick-up fees will be fully enforced for each incident after 1 (one) written or verbal warning.

  • PUDDLESTOMPERS™ makes every attempt to explore outdoors in all four seasons. It is very important that your child/children come prepared with seasonally appropriate clothing!

    • Fall/Winter: Please be sure your child has a warm jacket (or layers), water bottle (filled), bug spray, rain boots or snow boots, snow pants, hat & gloves, and an extra change of clothes.

    • Spring/Summer: Please be sure your child has a water bottle (filled), sunscreen, bug spray, rain boots or water shoes, and an extra change of clothes.

    • In the event of inclement weather causing program cancellation, PUDDLESTOMPERS™ follows the local school district. If school is cancelled, PUDDLESTOMPERS™ classes will also be cancelled.

    • For Habitat classes, a full credit may be issued in the case of inclement weather (see “Habitat Class Policies” below).

  • All Belmont, Dover, Medfield, Medford, Needham, Norwood, Sudbury, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston, and Westwood programs are operated through their Parks & Recreation departments. Therefore, classes are subject to their specific pricing, policies, and procedures. To view their policies, please visit their local Parks & Recreation Department sites (linked above) and review before registering.

  • In the case of religious or spiritual exemption, we require a letter that states the general reason for the objection. This letter should be signed by the child’s legal guardian. While attending PUDDLESTOMPERS Nature Exploration drop-off programs and camps, if your child is unvaccinated, and if there is a case of a vaccine-preventable disease at camp, the unvaccinated child will be required to stay out for the entire incubation period, which varies depending on the disease. No refunds will be issued.