Campbellcroft Outdoor School – Enrollment FAQs

1. What are the different enrollment pathways?

We offer three enrollment pathways to match your family’s rhythm and commitment level:

🌳 Roots Plan: Full-year, consistent attendance with guaranteed weekly days and priority access. Ideal for families who want stability and long-term connection.
🌿 Branch Plan: Flexible monthly commitment. Choose your days each month within a minimum attendance requirement. Reserved spots and predictable participation, with room to adapt.
🍃 Leaf Plan: Space-available enrollment for occasional or trial attendance. Perfect for families exploring the program or attending irregularly.

2. How do I choose the right pathway?

Roots: If your family plans to attend regularly all year, this is the most predictable and value-rich option.
Branch: If you need flexibility but still want some consistency, this pathway allows you to pick days each month.
Leaf: If you’re new, trying the program, or attending occasionally, this pathway is space-available and flexible.

3. Can I change my pathway mid-year?

Families may move between pathways at the start of a new term, subject to availability.
Roots families remain on the annual plan but can change their weekly days without penalty during designated term windows.

4. How does scheduling work for each tier?

Roots: You select your guaranteed weekly days at the start of the year; these remain yours throughout the school year. Changes are allowed only during term windows.
Branch: Monthly registration windows allow you to choose your days for that month within the minimum commitment. (4 days per month)
Leaf: Book days on a space-available basis after Roots and Branch selections are complete.

5. What happens if my child misses a day?

Roots & Branch: Tuition is based on commitment, not attendance, so missed days due to illness, family events, or weather are not refunded. This allows the program to maintain a consistent schedule and ensures all children have reliable staffing and resources.
Leaf attendance is fully flexible — you only pay for the days attended (or reserve spots when space allows).

6. How do you manage capacity?

Each day has a maximum number of children to maintain quality and safety.
Roots families always have guaranteed spots.
Branch families reserve spots during monthly registration.
Leaf families may book once availability is confirmed.

7. Do you offer tuition payment plans?

Yes! Roots families will have equal monthly payments to make full-year tuition manageable. Branch and Leaf families pay per month based on selected days.

8. What about inclement weather or school closures?

We follow our standard weather and closure policy. Roots families have holidays and closures built into their discounted pricing, no refunds are offered for inclement weather. Branch families have a limit of one rollover day per month. Leaf families are only charged for attended days.

9. Can I try the program before committing to Roots or Branch?

Absolutely! The Leaf Plan is designed for families new to Campbellcroft or wanting occasional attendance. Many families start as Leaf and move to Branch or Roots once they find a rhythm that works.

10. Why implement these tiers?

These pathways are designed to:

Honor highly committed families with stability and priority access
Encourage new families to try the program with flexible options
Allow each family to find the right balance between consistency and flexibility
Support a sustainable, year-round rhythm for children and staff

11. How does the Branch Plan work?

The Branch Plan is our flexible monthly attendance option. Families select the days their child will attend each month, giving you flexibility while helping us plan staffing and ratios. It’s perfect if your schedule varies from week to week. You can choose Monday one week, and Tuesday and/or Thursday the next if desired.

How do I register?
The registration link is open from the 1st to the 5th of each month. During this 5-day window, you can choose your child’s days for the upcoming month. After the 5th, we finalize spots and staff to ensure every child has a reserved place. Registration links will be emailed to regular families, and posted on the website for new families to access also.

What if plans change or we hit bad weather?
We understand life and weather happen! Each month, families receive one rollover day that can be used if your child cannot attend due to inclement weather or other unavoidable conflicts. Rollover days have no cash value and must be used the following month, no accumulating days for later use.

How is tuition calculated?
Tuition is based on the days your child is scheduled to attend each month. You only pay for the days you choose and the rollover day ensures you don’t lose value if a snow day occurs.

Why choose the Branch Plan?
It offers flexibility without sacrificing placement security or program quality. You select the days that work for your family, enjoy one built-in inclement weather day, and we can confidently plan staffing and spaces for all children.

12. How does the Roots Plan compare to our previous $50/day structure?

Under our previous model, families were billed only for the days their child actually attended.
You were not charged for:
Christmas break
March break
Stat holidays like: Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Family Day, Easter, Victoria Day

However, when snow days occurred, those days were simply missed. Families received make-up days/credits where possible, but sometimes felt like lost value.

📊 Example: A Family Attending 3 Days Per Week
Under the Old $50/Day Model
Your child attended 3 days per week at $50/day.
Because we operate for 35 program weeks, your expected attendance would be:
3 days × 35 weeks = 105 scheduled days
105 × $50 = $5,250 for the year
If 6 snow days fell on your child’s scheduled days:
6 × $50 = $300 worth of missed program time
So while you weren’t billed for days we were closed for holidays, winter weather often meant families paid for days unable to be accounted for during the winter season.

Under the Roots Plan
Tuition is now calculated across the same 35 program weeks, but at a lower effective daily rate.
3 days × 35 weeks = 105 program days
105 × $45 = $4,725 for the year
Divided into 10 equal monthly payments:
$472.50 per month

💛 What This Means for Your Family
Old structure: $5,250
Roots Plan: $4,725
That’s $525 in annual savings.
The value difference feels even greater because:
✔ Payments stay consistent
✔ Tuition is structured thoughtfully across the full school year
✔ Your child’s space is secured- never worry about missing registration windows or spots being “full”
✔ Budgeting becomes simple and predictable

Roots means predictable tuition and a reserved spot for your child all year-long, so you can focus on the experience, not the calendar