Open Space Education is Richmond's only outdoor education program that combines art education and nature based learning. We are excited to offer this class for FREE for students at PHSSA!
Go on walks on school grounds and through Forest Hill Park to explore, collect materials, and think about our relationship to nature through creativity.
GIVE+TAKE: NATURE BASED ART
WHAT TO WEAR
Our outdoor classes require freedom of movement in non-restrictive clothing that protects us from the weather. Please dress your child in clothing that can get messy so they will feel free to participate in messy projects, like painting, and splash in rain puddles. Expect that your child (and their clothing) will get dirty!
COLD WEATHER ATTIRE:
Our outdoor classes take place year-long! Please dress your children in weather-appropriate clothing for outdoor play and art making. Please check the weather forecast to assist as the weather does change during the day.
We highly recommend dressing your child in layers. We will have the option of holding class indoors at the school in the event of extreme weather.
RAIN + THUNDER/LIGHTNING + SNOW + EXTREME WEATHER
RAIN / THUNDER + LIGHTNING:
All of our classes are held outside, rain or shine. Most of our classes can carry on in light rain.
In the likelihood of thunderstorms we will hold class indoors at the school.
SNOW + EXTREME WEATHER:
We will follow RPS regarding closures + cancellations due to weather.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS: Open Space makes every effort to meet the dynamic needs of students. Please share any information regarding your child’s needs, interests, and abilities at registration. If you believe your child may have needs which require additional planning or preparation on the staff’s behalf, including, FOOD ALLERGIES, please let us know when you enroll.
STUDENT + PARENT/CARETAKER FEEDBACK: Open Space uses parent/caretaker and student feedback to evaluate the impact and success of our programs. We create questionnaires for participants and families. Class time is used for participants to share their feedback, and online surveys are emailed to families at the end of a program. This feedback is valuable to us as evaluation results have been central to the development of Open Space curriculum, programming, + policies.
PHOTO RELEASE CONSENT: Open Space takes photos of students and student work as a way of documenting and promoting our programs. Promotion materials include but are not limited to brochures, website, social media, etc. Please let us know if you do NOT want photos of your child taken.