While we are always excited to share our programs, projects, and products, we understand that circumstances can change. If for some reason you have to cancel or change your plans with the NatureLab, we will work with you to determine a solution that fits your needs, be it a credit, an exchange, or a refund.

Please be advised that we are unable to offer full refunds for cancellations less than 24 hours before program start.

As of December 2023, we require masks indoors and are mask-optional outdoors. We provide masks for children as needed, and spend much of our time outdoors.

Masking is the best way to make our programs safe and accessible for immunocompromised and disabled individuals. It is also the best way for us to keep our labbies and staff members as healthy as possible and prevents community spread of transmissible diseases. We revisit our masking policy every few weeks in order to determine its necessity.

We understand that our stance is less common, but we take the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic seriously. Unfortunately, due to a lack of available COVID-19 testing and case data, our determinations are based primarily on wastewater data, hospitalization rates, and anecdotal case numbers. If you have questions or concerns about this policy, please reach out to us.

the NatureLab is fun if you're feeling great! Unfortunately, children often become sick unexpectedly. If your child develops symptoms while they are at NatureLab, we will contact you as soon as possible. If your child is vomitting, coughing excessively, or feverish, please keep them at home.

If your child tests positive for COVID-19, please let us know so that we can inform families of a possible exposure. According to CDC guidelines, please keep your child home until five days have passed or they are symptom-free, whichever is longer.

Following MCPS guidelines, if your child develops a lice infestation, please keep them home until they can be treated. For more information, please click here.

In general, we try to be outside as often as possible! Sometimes, this means even in the cold, rain, snow, or heat. We recommend checking the weather the night before the NatureLab program to make sure that you send your child with weather-appropriate gear.

For inclement or unusual weather, we use the following policies:

• MCPS schools closed but federal government open means we will be open with an infill program usually between 9 and 4 but may run 10-4 depending on weather and will price accordingly. We will post SnowDay?NatureLab infill programs online in the NoSchool?NatureLab tab
• MCPS schools closed and federal government closed means the NatureLab will be closed as well.
• 2-hour delayed opening for MCPS means we will open as soon as weather allows, but usually close to 9am with the walk to school at 10:40 and school drop off between 11 and 11:15.
• MCPS early closure due to weather means we will meet children at dismissal then make a decision based on the forecast for whether we will close at the regular time or earlier.