Placer Nature Center summer camps reopening with safety measures

After a cloud of uncertainty looming over how to deal with its children's programs, Placer Nature Center has gotten the green light to move on with its summer camps. Since outdoor museums are listed as one of the "lower-risk" workplaces in Gov. Gavin Newsom's Stage 2 for reopening parts of California's economy, the Placer County center has scheduled weekly programs with safety modifications that fit into CDC and OSHA guidelines. "Just today we were able to publicize it on social media," Kira Greene, PNC's staff education coordinator, said Monday. "We've already gotten a number of people who are interested and signing up. I imagine those will continue to roll in." Executive Director Kathy Davidson noted several precautionary steps Placer Nature Center is taking to combat potential spread of COVID-19. They include, but are not limited to: Staff members and visitors required to wear masks Limiting activity groups to no more than eight participants per session for up to three days a week Each participant assigned their own activity table and materials to eliminate sharing items back and forth Deep cleanings of the museum before visitors arrive Temperature checks for staff members and participants upon arrival Maintaining at least a 6-foot distance between participants Anyone displaying symptoms of illness will be sent home The first camp is scheduled for June 16. The theme is "Dirt Made My Lunch," where campers can learn more about soil, plants and the transformation of solar energy into chemical energy. There will be different themed camp sessions each week – running Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays – until Aug. 6. The first six weeks will be dedicated to ages 6-12 and the final two, which will feature programs on wilderness and environmental leadership, will host ages 11 and up. The nature center began offering virtual hikes in April with veteran docents as virtual tour guides, exploring and educating viewers on local plant and animal habitats. "We are continuing our virtual education and expanding simultaneously with summer camps," Davidson said. "So those who can't come in person for their own personal safety preferences or other reasons can still have educational materials and a place for environmental learning." For more information on Placer Nature Center, please visit placernaturecenter.org.