Safety Guidelines at Harvesting Change

Growing Together in a Safe, Respectful & Welcoming Environment

At Harvesting Change, the safety and well-being of our visitors, volunteers, instructors, and participants are important to us.

We believe that everyone deserves a positive environment where they can learn, create, explore new interests, and connect with others.

To help make every experience enjoyable, we ask all participants to follow these safety guidelines during workshops, educational programs, gardening activities, and community events.

1. General Safety & Conduct

We strive to maintain a friendly, inclusive, and family-oriented environment.

All visitors, volunteers, and participants are expected to:

Treat others with kindness, courtesy, and respect.
Follow instructions provided by event organizers, instructors, and authorized volunteers.
Use supplies, equipment, and shared spaces responsibly.
Walk carefully in activity areas and keep pathways clear.
Report unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, or potential hazards to an event organizer.
Refrain from disruptive, threatening, discriminatory, or unsafe behavior.

Harvesting Change reserves the right to stop unsafe activities or ask individuals to leave when necessary to protect participants and maintain a respectful environment.

2. Children & Family Participation

We welcome opportunities for children and families to learn and create together!

To help keep our younger participants safe:

Children must have permission from a parent or legal guardian to participate.
Parents or guardians are responsible for supervising their children unless an event specifically provides an approved supervised program.
Children may not use sharp tools, heated equipment, chemicals, or other potentially hazardous materials without appropriate authorization and supervision.
Age recommendations and participation requirements will be listed in event descriptions.
Children should remain within designated activity areas.

Some programs may require additional parental consent forms or participation agreements.

3. Arts, Crafts & Creative Workshop Safety

Our creative activities are designed to encourage imagination while promoting safe practices.

Participants should:

Use paints, adhesives, scissors, and other craft materials only as instructed.
Wear protective clothing or aprons when recommended.
Keep paints, small objects, and other supplies away from the mouth and eyes.
Avoid sharing personal items when hygiene or safety could be affected.
Notify an instructor if a supply spills, breaks, or causes irritation.
Wash hands after handling paints, adhesives, or other craft materials.

Certain activities may have additional safety requirements based on the materials being used.

4. Gardening & Outdoor Activity Safety

Gardening activities offer wonderful opportunities to learn about plants, nature, and sustainable growing practices.

When participating in outdoor activities, please:

Wear appropriate footwear and comfortable clothing.
Use gardening tools only for their intended purpose.
Follow instructions when handling soil, compost, fertilizers, or gardening equipment.
Stay hydrated and take breaks as needed, especially during warm weather.
Be aware of uneven ground, insects, thorns, and other outdoor hazards.
Wash hands after handling soil, plants, or gardening materials.
Ask for assistance when lifting heavy items or performing unfamiliar tasks.

Outdoor activities may be postponed, modified, or canceled due to extreme heat, severe weather, or other unsafe conditions.

5. Health, Allergies & Personal Needs

We want participants to feel comfortable communicating any concerns that may affect their participation.

Some activities may involve plants, soil, paint, adhesives, fragrances, or other materials that could cause sensitivities or allergic reactions.

Participants are encouraged to review event descriptions and contact us in advance if they have questions about materials, accessibility, or reasonable accommodations.

Please do not participate in activities when experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness that could put others at risk.

Participants should take breaks when needed and avoid activities that exceed their personal abilities or comfort levels.

6. Volunteer & Instructor Responsibilities

Volunteers and instructors play an important role in maintaining a safe and supportive environment.

Individuals assisting with activities are expected to:

Follow Harvesting Change policies and applicable safety procedures.
Provide clear instructions and encourage safe participation.
Use equipment and materials responsibly.
Report incidents, injuries, or safety concerns promptly.
Respect participant privacy and personal boundaries.
Avoid undertaking tasks or supervising activities for which they have not been authorized or appropriately prepared.

Additional screening, training, or supervision may be required for certain volunteer assignments, especially those involving children or vulnerable individuals.

7. Emergencies & Incident Reporting

If an accident, injury, or emergency occurs:

Stop the activity and notify an event organizer immediately.
Call 911 for serious injuries or emergencies.
Do not move an injured person unless necessary to prevent immediate danger.
Follow directions from emergency responders and authorized personnel.
Report injuries, accidents, and safety concerns so they can be documented and addressed.

Emergency procedures and available supplies may vary depending on the event location.

8. Participation Agreements & Liability Waivers

For the safety of everyone involved, Harvesting Change may require participants, volunteers, and instructors to complete registration forms, participation agreements, or liability waivers before taking part in certain activities.

Parents or legal guardians may be required to sign additional consent forms for minors.

These documents help communicate the nature of activities, potential risks, and participant responsibilities. They do not replace Harvesting Change’s responsibility to take reasonable safety precautions.

9. Respecting Our Space & Community

Whether an activity takes place indoors, outdoors, or at a community partner’s location, we ask everyone to help care for the space.

Please:

Dispose of trash properly and help keep activity areas clean.
Return borrowed tools and supplies to their designated locations.
Respect plants, gardens, displays, and shared equipment.
Follow posted rules and event-specific instructions.
Leave the space ready for the next group to enjoy.

Our Commitment to You

Harvesting Change is committed to planning activities thoughtfully, communicating safety expectations, and encouraging an atmosphere of kindness, learning, and cooperation.

While every activity may involve some level of risk, we will work to identify potential hazards and take reasonable steps to reduce them.

By working together, we can create meaningful experiences where people of all ages feel welcome, supported, and inspired.