Welcome Families!

​We're so glad you're here! Please review this page for location, logistics and safety review.
Please also fill out the Health Form & Parent Agreement sent via email before your first group meeting.
Thank you!

Dates:

*NEW* "Younger Group"
Girls 9th-10th grade

Saturdays 10am-1pm
9/19, 10/17, 11/7, 12/5, 1/23, 2/6, 3/6, 4/17, 5/1, 6/5

Online Saturdays 11am-1pm as needed

+ 3 Online Parent Meetings​
10/29 7:30-9:30p
Rest of dates TBD, likely 1/14, 4/29

"Younger Group"
Girls 10th-11th grade

Saturdays 2-5pm
9/19, 10/17, 11/7, 12/5, 1/23, 2/6, 3/6, 4/17, 5/1, 6/5

Online Saturdays 2-4pm as needed

+ 3 Online Parent Meetings​
10/22, 1/14, 4/28 from 7:30-9:30p

"Older Group"
Girls 11th-12th grade

Sundays 2-5pm
9/20, 10/18, 11/8, 12/6, 1/24, 2/7, 3/7, 4/18, 5/2, 6/6

Online Sundays 2-4pm as needed

+ 3 Online Parent Meetings​
10/22, 1/14, 4/28 from 7:30-9:30p

​
Location:

Location will be Tilden Regional Park or our Orinda Retreat site. You will be notified which location we are meeting at via email by the Monday before each meeting, if not sooner.

Details for Tilden Location:

Tilden Regional Park - New Woodland Group Camp Site

• Map "Lone Oak Road" in Tilden Regional Park > Turn onto Lone Oak Road > Keep driving as it turns into wide dirt road > Road dead-ends where we're meeting.
• We will meet in the parking lot so we walk together to the site.
• "New Woodland Group Camp" is about a 5 min walk, the first and super obvious right off main trail.
• We will meet everyone back at the parking lot.
  
• Please text both Quetzal and Emily if you are running late or needing to pick up early to make sure no one gets lost or confused.

Details for Orinda Location:

4400 El Nido Ranch Road Orinda 94563
Front entrance is marked by two pillars with the address on it. Drop off at the front; turn around is hard in the driveway. 

3 great trails nearby for parents looking for something to do:

• Sibley Park has a back entrance next to the tunnel; it's only a 4 minute drive from the house. MAP LINK
• Lafayette Resevoir, either the flat, paved 3 mile ring around the reservoir (very popular but often more people) or the strenuous, hilly 5 mile ridge trail. MAP LINK
• The Briones Overlook area of the Reservoir; go left and get a spacious, open, sunny walk on the dam and up to the top of the hills; to the right, shaded woods that ring the lake. MAP LINK

What to Bring

• Wear comfy clothes and bring warm layers. We will be meeting completely outdoors so dress for the possibility of bugs or throw extra leggings/sweater in your bag. Orinda tends to be much warmer/less fog. Check the weather before flying out the door.
• Bring a blanket and pillow for laying onto ground to make a comfy sitting spot.
  
• We will be wearing masks the whole time, with breaks for the speaker to remove their mask while speaking in the larger circle, while the rest of us wear ours.
• Snack for yourself. If you're one of those snack loving people like us, feel free to bring a big bag of something wonderful (popcorn, apples, chips, tangerines, etc) as long as we can share it without touching. Bring anything you'll need to safely share snack. We will bring paper cups/small plates and we will pour/distribute snacks in a way that minimizes risk. We will obviously take masks off for snack but will not be sharing containers / touching while eating in any way. Anyone who is not comfortable with this is welcome to keep their mask on and/or not share in the snack, zero judgment.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Journal & pen.
• We will have access to a bathroom, however our host has asked you use the bathroom right before you leave home too.

What to expect

• Drop off / pick up - You're welcome to say hello, but parents must leave the premises during the group. Especially if we haven't met, please introduce yourself :) Please be on time so we can start and end on time. For pick up, please wait until the girls come out, or we give a signal that parents can come in, don't just walk into our circle (we might be having a moment!) Thanks for understanding.
• Despite any impulse to hug and cuddle we'll be 6 ft apart as much as possible, with the intention to keep it that way the whole time. The site is large enough for us to maintain distance.

• Opening: We start every group with an opening circle
  
• Part 1: Smaller groups / paired share activities
  
• Break: We return to the big circle for a snack / break
• Part 2: Developing on theme from Part 1
• Closing: Full circle closing activity / reflections

Covid-19 Protocols & Safety Guidelines

​Masks: All participants should bring a clean face covering that fits securely.

Distance: We intend to meet outdoors, wear masks and stay ~6 feet apart. In talking circle, the speaker will be allowed to remove their mask while speaking. Especially during break or snack time we will restate agreements to stay safe.

Hand-washing: We will have regular hand washing breaks that will include hand sanitizer, and whenever possible soap and water. We also ask that all participants bring their own hand sanitizer.

Capping participants: We will work together to continue to hold groups in person as much as possible, while also staying within the CA state health guidelines.

Staying home if sick: Anyone who has been sick, has been in contact with someone who is either sick or who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two weeks before our meeting should stay home. We may or may not be able to accommodate a Zoom drop in depending on our location and agenda.

Switching to online meetings: If due to Shelter In Place, air quality due to fires, or other unforeseen "disasters" we need to cancel in-person meetings, we will switch to a 2 hour online session instead. This will be decided as far in advance as possible, and by the Monday before that group meeting.

Recommendation: When teens return from meetings, wash hands, change clothes, and possibly take a shower.

Thank you!

Please email emily@loveyournature.com with any questions.