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Program FAQ's

EdVentures Program FAQ’s

Q: Where do I find specific program information such as dates, pricing, etc.?

Visit our Program Page and view our upcoming programs to see what is right for your child. If pricing is not provided, please contact our Education Director, Josh Boyle, at josh@weare.eco or call 234-254-3494.

Q: Locations and Leadership

Boardman Office

Mill Creek Park – Primary Program Location

  • Birch Hill Cabin (Info)

  • Slippery Rock Pavilion (Info)

  • Pioneer Pavilion (Info)

  • Ford Nature Center (Info)

Bending Oak Permaculture Farm – Partner Location

  • 100 Cottage Grove Dr. Youngstown, OH 44505 (Info)

Climb Youngstown – Partner Location

  • 1221 W. Western Reserve Rd. Youngstown, OH 44514 (Info)

Q: Cancellations: What are my options if I cancel, or the program is cancelled by ECO?

A: We understand that schedule changes may occur sometimes. Should a conflict with an ECO program occur, resulting in you cancelling, please contact our Education Director, Josh Boyle, at josh@weare.eco or call 234-254-3494 to discuss refunds and future enrollment.

If ECO chooses to cancel a program, we will notify all registered parties and issue refunds on the next available business day. Questions regarding ECO’s decision can be forwarded to our Owner, Courtney Boyle, at courtney@weare.eco.

For our After School Programs, if a program day is cancelled, we will communicate these changes with all Boardman schools involved in the program and all attending parties. Rescheduling the cancelled program day may occur, this decision is heavily dependent on Boardman schools’ calendar and availability.

Q: What is ECO doing to prioritize the health and safety of my child during programs?

ECO provides a healthy, safe, and inclusive environment for your child during each program. Programs focus on outdoor exploration or physical activities, and children should be prepared to be active. Children are in groups and interact with each other during programming. Any individual not feeling well or exhibiting symptoms should not attend programming.

ECO also has many policies and procedures implemented to protect children during the time they are with us. Our policies are aligned with the American Camp Association’s guidelines and local, state, and national enforcement policies for outdoor programs.Caregivers with questions regarding our current policies and procedures or program safety may contact our Education Manger, Samuel Heinze, at samuel@weare.eco or call 234-254-3050.

Q: How do I receive the most up-to-date information on programming?

ECO primarily utilizes emails to communicate program developments and new opportunities throughout the year. Be sure to check regularly for registration information or changes to programs.

During programs, ECO will utilize Remind to update the adults of attending children on program changes, lost, and found items, or supply photos from the program. These groups have specific codes to join and will be supplied to adults before your program starts. Downloading the app can be found here Remind Download Link.

Q: Is my child the right age for Summer Edventures?

Most of our weeklong programs serve children between the ages of 5 and 14 years old. We do offer other program opportunities that tailor towards younger or older children. Contact us directly for more information on those other programs.

Q: How much of your programs are conducted outside?

100% of our programs are conducted outside. During summer seasons, we prioritize shade and hydration breaks to prevent heat related illnesses. Programming will remain outside unless inclement weather occurs and prevents us from safely conducting a program.

Q: What should my child bring for programs?

NOTE: Many of our programs operate in the outdoors and all participants should come prepared for any weather conditions. Children should wear clothes they are comfortable with getting dirty and/or wet. We discourage bringing newer clothes or shoes as the outdoors can be unpredictable. Students should also bring a backpack with the following inside:

  • Water bottle

  • Sunscreen

  • Bug spray

  • Clothes and shoes for that day’s predicted weather (rain, chilly, etc.)

  • Lunch and 1-2 snacks

  • Rain jacket

Other recommended items include:

  • Change of clothes

  • Hat or sunglasses

Program Specific Items:

  • Bathing suit, towel, water shoes - Standard Weeklong Summer Programs Only

  • Long pants - Bending Oak Summer Program Only

If you have questions pertaining to what items are recommended for the program you are attending, please refer to the information email sent prior to your program or contact our office at 234-254-3050/edventures@weare.eco.

Q: What should my child not bring to programs?

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

  • Children are responsible for their own belongings including backpacks, clothing, and other personal items. We highly discourage children from bringing their own electronic devices, phones, other toys, games cards, books, money, etc. If these items are brought, ECO staff may collect them and return them following the conclusion of the program day. We like to offer children a different atmosphere outdoors and these items conflict with what we like to provide your children in terms of programming.

DENGEROUS ITEMS & CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

  • Controlled Substances: Illegal drugs, controlled substances and alcohol are not permitted during ECO programs. Required medications and allergic reaction devices should be may aware to ECO staff prior to programming for storage and safe administration of said medications.

  • Tobacco-Free Programs: ECO does not endorse the consumption of tobacco related products and works closely with our community to offer a safe environment outdoors for your children.

  • Pets: Pets and other animals are not allowed and are not to be brought to any ECO program. Service animals and physical assistance animals should be contacted by our Education Director, Josh Boyle, at josh@weare.eco or call 234-254-3494 to discuss involvement in programming and ease of access.

  • Weapons: No children, staff parents or visitors are not permitted to bring or possess weapons (including firearms and pocketknives).

  • Matches, lighters, and firecrackers are not permitted.

  • Soda, sugary or any carbonated drinks are not permitted.

Q: Is there financial assistance available for ECO programs?

Yes. Scholarships or financial assistance are available for all ECO programs. To request information or to utilize these opportunities please contact our Education Director, Josh Boyle, at josh@weare.eco or call 234-254-3494.

Q: How do I register for programs?

Visit our Program Page and view the available programs we offer. When you decide on a program, you will select the week you would like to attend and fill out the necessary information, including contact information, payment information, and attendee information.

Q: Do you offer any discounts, such as multiple children, early registration, and previous program involvement?

We do offer plenty of discounts for our customers. We provide discounts for multiple children, early registration, and if you have attended a prior program to name a few. For specifics on discount codes and applying them to your registration, please contact our Education Director, Josh Boyle, at josh@weare.eco or call 234-254-3494.

Q: Can the program rate be prorated if my child is not attending the full program?

We do offer reduced fees on a case-by-case basis. Prior to registration in our programs, contact our Education Director, Josh Boyle, at josh@weare.eco or call 234-254-3494 and they will assist in creating an alternate attendance and payment plan for you and your child.

Q: What qualifications do your staff have?

Qualifications for educators include first-aid skills, education experience, behavior management, DEI training, and youth/adolescent care.

Regarding first-aid, our entire full-time staff team has attended a Wilderness First Aid course through our provider NOLS. More information on the course can be found here (Information). There will also be a staff member on site during programming who has CPR/AED training and certifications.

Each of our educators have a wealth of experience ranging from outdoor skills, environmental science, camping, outdoor education, and leadership. We also conduct annual training which covers topics such as diversity, equity, and inclusion; behavior and group management; team building; social-emotional learning; and outdoor program safety practices.

Q: Do you offer any programming for adults?

We currently do not offer programs tailored to older audiences; however, we have offered backpacking courses and outings. We also collaborate with NOLS to offer Wilderness First Aid training to the public.

Q: What does a common day at an ECO program look like?

NOTE: The following schedule rhythm follows our traditional weeklong summer programs. If you have questions pertaining to your program’s rhythm, please view the information email sent prior to programming or contact our office at 234-254-3050/edventures@weare.eco.

Morning:

  • 8:30am: Drop-off

    • Free time while kids arrive. We will do a morning meeting & activity and prepare for the morning hike.

  • 9:00am: Morning Hike

    • Groups head out, navigating the trails and looking for wildlife. We will stop playing, do educational activities, and explore. Staff will have backpacks with first aid supplies and some additional snacks. Occasionally we will take field trips to other local parks nearby.

  • 11:30am: Lunch

    • We eat lunch back at the cabin/pavilion or at a point of interest.

Afternoon:

  • 12:15pm: Activity

    • Catching insects, exploring the creek, identifying trees, food web game, scavenger hunt, field trips, etc.

  • 2:45pm: Afternoon Hike

    • Groups head back out on another hike. We will stop to rest, play, do educational activities, and explore.

  • 2:00pm: Free time

    • We usually end the day at a playground or splash pad, or with creek exploration or games.

  • 3:30pm: Pick-up

    • We hike back to our pickup location by 3:10 for pickup at 3:30.

Q: What are your inclement weather policies?

In the event of inclement weather, on-site ECO staff will move all children indoors for the duration of the weather event. ECO is prepared to handle all major and minor weather-related scenarios in Northeast Ohio. These include but are not limited to the following:

  • Thunderstorms/Lightning

  • Wind Advisories and watches

  • Excessive Heat (including heat-related illnesses)

  • Tornadoes

ECO will continue to conduct programs outside during rain showers if lightning and thunder have not been reported. We will take intermittent breaks to reduce exposure and prevent children from getting sick. Children should have proper rain gear including boots and a jacket for these activities.

Q: Who do I contact in case of an emergency?

The primary educator for all programs will be our Education Manager, Samuel Heinze, you can reach them at samuel@weare.eco or call 234-254-3050. In the event they are not available, please contact our Education Director, Josh Boyle, at josh@weare.eco or call 234-254-3494.