We are so excited to be returning to in-person adult workshops! We have missed our vibrant community of adult learners and our amazing workshop leaders! We know that attending in-person programs again will be a re-adjustment. We have been working hard to ensure programs are educational and safe. Please see the questions below. If your question isn't answered here, please email us at info@highparknaturecentre.com.

How will adult workshops be different due to COVID?

It will be different, but you will still have access to an amazing line-up of workshops with as much hands-on learning as possible! There are a number of changes we have made behind the scenes to make things safer, but the main differences you will notice from pre-COVID times are:

• Programs will be 100% outdoors unless otherwise indicated
• We will make every effort to keep social distance of 2 meters
• We wear masks when social distancing is challenging or indoors for using washrooms
• We will use fewer shared materials
• Using more open outdoor areas
• Contactless sign-in and sign-out

May I use the washroom?

For sure! Programs will often be 100% outdoors, but sanitized washrooms will always be available for your use.

What if it is raining?

Programs will continue outdoors in the rain. In severely inclement weather such as high winds, lightning or extreme temperatures we will:

• Take shelter indoors with physical distance (if possible)
• Reschedule (if possible)
• Cancel (if absolutely necessary)

What measures is HPNC taking to ensure COVID safety?

We have made adjustments to our programs to make sure that we keep ourselves and our community safe and continue to follow the guidelines of Toronto Public Health. Although we are making efforts to increase health and safety, we cannot guarantee that you will not contract COVID-19 at our programs.

Here are some of the ways we will ensure health and safety:

• Staff and workshop leader health screening: each staff member and workshop leader will be screened upon arrival at the Nature Centre on the day of the workshop and will be sent home if they are unwell
• Staff are trained on symptoms to look-for, procedures if anyone is ill and how to adjust programs for safety
• Outdoor hand-washing stations
• Staff, workshop leaders and participants will wear masks when social distancing is challenging or indoors
• Participant health screening: staff will screen each participant before every program
• Washrooms will be sanitized before use by workshop participants
• Programs will often happen completely outdoors with at least 2 m between participants when possible
• Any materials used in a workshop will be sanitized before and after each use

What if HPNC cancels due to COVID?

Because of diligent staff health screening, there is a possibility that some days we may not have staff available to lead the program. In situations where HPNC cancels a workshop, participants will be eligible for either a make-up visit or a refund for the canceled workshop.

What if I cannot attend due to COVID?

Unfortunately, we will not be refunding or able to accommodate make-up visits if you miss your workshop due to COVID.

When should I stay home?

To ensure the health and well-being of other participants, you will need to stay home if you have any of the following:

• Fever
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Sore throat or trouble swallowing
• Runny nose or red eyes
• Loss of taste or smell
• Not feeling well, tired or sore muscles
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• If you have been in close contact with someone who is sick or has confirmed or probable COVID-19 or acute respiratory illness in the past 14 days
• If you have returned from travel outside Canada in the past 14 days

What happens if a participant is sick during the program

If a participant becomes sick during the program, staff would take their temperature and track symptoms. If they are showing any of the symptoms listed above more than normal, they would be asked to leave the workshop. A negative COVID-19 test result and being clear of symptoms for 24 hours would be required before attending another in-person adult workshop at the Nature Centre.

Will we be wearing masks?

When we are outdoors, we will ask participants to wear masks when keeping a social distance of 2 m is challenging. Staff, workshop leaders, and participants would always wear masks when indoors to use the washrooms, or when indoors for any other reason. When social distancing is easy, masks are optional. You are encouraged to bring your own reusable or non-medical mask or face covering. We will also have some disposable non-medical masks available for participants who forgot theirs.