3/24/20
The safety of our staff and participants remains NatureBridge’s number one priority. Following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, NatureBridge will suspend programs and operations on all campuses through June 12, 2020 as the most effective social distancing measure.
Schools and groups scheduled to attend NatureBridge through June 12, 2020 can apply their amount paid as credit to a 2020-2021 school program, request a refund or donate their refund to NatureBridge.
NatureBridge is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to connecting young people to the wonder and science of the natural world. We depend on revenue from our education programs and donations from our supporters to continue this mission and provide necessary assistance and support to our staff. Your support makes a difference and will help ensure that NatureBridge can weather COVID-19 and continue to provide programs in the future, for your students and many others.
NatureBridge appreciates your partnership as we navigate this extremely challenging time. We hope you and your community remain healthy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/10/20
A Message from NatureBridge’s Director of Risk Management about COVID-19
In response to the extensive news coverage about COVID-19, I wanted to share NatureBridge’s protocols and policies in an effort to ease concerns and promote a healthy program environment. We recommend sharing this information with all of your chaperones and your students’ parents and guardians.
The safety of our participants and staff is our highest priority. NatureBridge is closely monitoring the situation in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state and federal agencies, and the National Park Service Office of Public Health. Prince William Forest Park, where our programs operate, is currently open and accessible without any restrictions. The CDC and DC Health are also stating that the risk of contracting the virus is low. We know this is a potentially evolving situation and we will contact all affected schools if any program alterations are warranted.
As an organization serving 30,000 youth annually across four national parks, NatureBridge has strong illness prevention policies and risk management practices. We’re hopeful that the COVID-19 risk will remain low but this is a great reminder of the importance of good hygiene and illness prevention practices. Our long-standing illness policies are still the most effective in dealing with sickness and are in alignment with the CDC, the Office of Public Health, National Park Service and DC and Virginia Department of Health.
Here are the steps NatureBridge is taking to proactively address this situation:
Participants (students, teachers, chaperones and any other guests) are asked in advance not to attend programs if they are experiencing illness symptoms.
NatureBridge staff emphasize handwashing and hand sanitizing; not sharing water bottles; covering sneezes and coughs; not touching eyes, mouth or nose; and reporting any illness symptoms.
Food service staff follow best practices in food preparation and service.
Bathrooms will be cleaned by a professional cleaning service. All dining hall surfaces will be disinfected daily by NatureBridge staff.
If participants show signs of illness, they are removed from program and isolated in a sick cabin/room. Participants are sent home if they have a fever or have symptoms of illness (e.g. vomiting, exhaustion, severe coughing). We have extra spaces on campus where participants can be quarantined as we work with your school to get them home as quickly as possible.
NatureBridge staff are not allowed to work if they show symptoms of illness.
NatureBridge has a strong tradition of risk management and emergency response and our staff are trained to manage emergent situations and concerns. As the Risk Management Director, I directly oversee our standard risk management policies and actively support our campuses and staff. NatureBridge has the support and resources of National Park Service and 24-hour access to National Park Service law enforcement and emergency medical services. Hospital and/or clinic facilities are located close to the Prince William Forest Park campus.
We continue to actively monitor the situation and will provide updates as needed. Thank you for supporting the opportunity for your students to experience transformational NatureBridge programs.
Jeff Crow
Director of Risk Management
NatureBridge