In light of potential poor air quality issues in our community due to wildfires, and with safety as our first priority, Nearby Nature has created the following Air Quality Monitoring Policy.
This policy has been amended regarding summer daycamps as of 8-13-26 to provide information about our Alternative Site for Tree Frog and Blue Heron camps. (Note we are looking for, but have not yet identified, an alternative site for Minnow and Dragonfly camps.)
Note that as of 2024, this policy takes into account the fact that air quality cancellations are a burden for both program registrants and Nearby Nature as an organization. Unless programs are cancelled well in advance, we pay our program staff for their planned work time and program overhead is a cost regardless of whether programs happen or not. The administrative time required to cancel/modify camps is also significant. Individuals/families should read through this policy carefully and make sure it is something they can agree to before registering for our programs, especially if they are scheduled during wildfire season.
Monitoring: On each day that there is a potential poor air quality issue (as outlined in our policy below), we will monitor the AQI (Air Quality Index) starting an hour and a half before a scheduled program. The main source of information we will use for monitoring is the real time Purple Air monitor that we have at our site in Alton Baker Park (as well as other Purple Air monitors around the community as needed). We use Purple Air because we need real time/location updates, and LRAPA’s website (Lane Regional Air Protection Agency) only posts a 24-hour average for the whole Eugene/Springfield area.
We ask that you partner with us in this monitoring on any day that you or someone in your family is scheduled to attend a program. See https://map.purpleair.com/. If you allow Purple Air to access your location, you can find our monitor in Alton Baker Park as well as others in the community.* On potential poor air quality days we ask that you also check your email and texts before you leave for a program to make sure you have received any important updates we have sent.
*Note: In order for us all to be “on the same page” and for you to get the most accurate air quality information from Purple Air, click on the Data Layer box on your Purple Air app and check US EPA PM2.5 AQI on the top line, and in the Apply Conversion box check US EPA.
1 — If the AQI index is 1-100 (good to moderate), and it looks like it will remain that way, we will run our programs for the day. If we are running our programs, you WILL NOT hear from us.
2 — If the AQI is between 101 and 150 (unhealthy for sensitive groups), and is trending downwards, or staying about the same, we will most likely run our programs for the day. You will need to consider for yourself whether you want to send your child to our programs (or attend yourself) at this level. We will keep our activities low key on days with air quality in this range. Again, if we are running our programs, you WILL NOT hear from us.
3 — If the AQI is between 101 and 150 (unhealthy for sensitive groups), and trending upwards, we will most likely cancel our Minnow (ages 3-4) and Dragonfly (ages 4-5) summer daycamp programs for the day. You will get an email from Nearby Nature (if you have pre-registered for a program) if we are cancelling our programs by an hour before the program’s scheduled start time. For Tree Frog (ages 6-8) and Blue Heron (ages 8-11) summer daycamp programs we will move to our new alternative site, the Village School in South Eugene. (Read on for details below.*) For public programs that do not require pre-registration, we will post cancellations on our website calendar an hour before the program’s scheduled start.
4 — If the AQI is over 150 (unhealthy and up), and staying the same or trending upward, we will cancel our Minnow (ages 3-4) and Dragonfly (ages 4-5) summer daycamp programs for the day. You will get an email from Nearby Nature if we are cancelling our programs an hour before the program’s scheduled start time. For Tree Frog (ages 6-8) and Blue Heron (ages 8-11) summer daycamp programs we will move to our new alternative site, the Village School in South Eugene. (Read on for details below.*) For public programs that do not require pre-registration, we will post cancellations on our website calendar an hour before the program’s scheduled start.
5 — If the air quality starts to decline dramatically during a program day, and it is unsafe to continue the program, you will get an email/text/call from our staff asking for a pick-up immediately (for youth programs). For public programs, we will simply discontinue the event.
*Important Details Regarding Alternative Site for Tree Frog and Blue Heron Daycamps 2026
As of 8-13-26, we will not be cancelling Tree Frog and Blue Heron summer daycamp programs. Instead, we will hold camps at the Village School in south Eugene (3411 Willamette Street). We will rent their Commons area (a large lunchroom space) and/or their gym. Activities will be relatively quiet since we will be indoors – storytelling, art projects, board games, and the like. We will also have some gym “run-around time” each day. As much as possible, we will stick to our camp themes, but it is likely that activities will be more generally nature-themed since we won’t be able to use our planned outdoor spaces. Parent/guardians will park along 35th Street in a designated area that is identified on this map and will check their children in/out at the Commons by following signs to the Commons entry door.
If we need to put this plan into action, you will be alerted about our change in venue by 8 am on the morning of the camp by both email and text. Parent/guardians are requested to text their child’s instructor (number is in your camp prep letter) if they decide NOT to bring their child to our alternative location. Drop-off and pick-up will happen at normal times.
Our Air Quality Monitoring Policy has been reviewed, and is in line with OHA air quality safety recommendations.
Refunds/Program Credits: If we cancel a portion of a program due to poor air quality after the program has started for the day, we will not offer program credits or refunds. If we cancel or shorten a program before it starts, you will be offered a 50% credit/refund (prorated for the time missed) at the end of the program season. Adjustments will be made at the end of the season rather than immediately due to the fact that there may be multiple days/weeks impacted by an air quality event.* You will also be offered the opportunity to decline this credit/refund in support of our programs or turn the value of your accumulated credits/refunds into a donation to our Every Child Outside Fund. If it is not a hardship for your family, your decision to decline your credit/refund or to make a donation would be very much appreciated. The added administrative time needed for facilitating credits/refunds and the income lost due to program cancellations is a hardship for Nearby Nature’s finances.
*If waiting until the end of a season for a credit/refund is a hardship for your family, email info@nearbynature.org and we will make an alternative arrangement.
(Updated 8-13-26)