Frequently Asked Questions

How long do the classes last? Each class lasts 40-60 minutes.

When do the classes meet? Lessons take place on Tuesdays at 2pm EST during the 1st and 3rd weeks of each month.

Where do the classes meet? Classes are taught on the Zoom platform. You will preregister for each class (it’s easy) and receive a private access link via email.

What happens if I can’t attend a live class? For the duration of your membership, you can watch any and all recorded classes from the video library. It’s definitely not necessary to attend live.

Can I download the recorded videos to my device? The videos cannot be downloaded to your device. They must be streamed.

Do I get access to any videos or other membership materials once my membership ends? No, your access to the live classes, video library, supplementary packets, and free monthly curriculum downloads ends when the membership ends. However, any free curriculum downloads you have saved to your computer over the course of your membership are yours to keep.

Do you have a sample lesson we can view? Yes! Click here to enjoy a full sample lesson.

What class topics are already in the video library? Click hereto see the list of previously taught classes. This list is updated every quarter or so.

Will you teach classes during the summer? Yes. Many schools and homeschools follow a year-round schedule, so lessons continue through the summer. If you take a break from school during the summer, you can use the classes as fun boredom busters or simply catch up on the missed classes using the video library once your school is back in session. 

Do I have to print the class packet? No. It’s simply available to you as an additional resource. Nothing within the live lesson requires the packet.

What’s included in the class packet? Introductory material to get children excited about the topic, specimen images, booklists, lists of previously recorded videos and curriculum that complement the topic, kid-friendly research-based activity ideas, and a printable nature walk challenge. These resources are particularly valuable when using No Sweat Nature Study as your main science curriculum or for families who enjoy unit studies or rabbit trail learning.

What supplies will we need? Most of the time, each student will need a nature journal (or plain, white paper) and colored pencils. Occasionally, other supplies like watercolors, a tape measure, or a magnifying glass are suggested – none of which will be mandatory. Supplies are listed in the registration and email reminders.

Where should we sit to view the class? You student(s) will need a sturdy surface in order to complete the nature journaling activities. Gathering around a table of some sort is probably best.

What if we don’t live in the same area as you? Will the lessons be pertinent to us? Yes, the lessons will be pertinent to everyone no matter where you are in the world or your current season. None of the lessons require you to have certain specimens in order to complete the activities.

How will No Sweat Nature Study lessons fit into my current science schedule? You have a few options:

• Use the lessons as a supplement to your regular science curriculum.
• Use the lessons in place of your regular science lessons for the day (or week if you plan to complete the follow-up activities).
• Forego the live lessons and choose topics from the video library that fit with whatever science or seasonal path you have planned.
• Use No Sweat Nature Study as your entire curriculum for a season. This is done successfully by utilizing the extra resources located in the supplementary packet alongside the video classes.

Is there a scope and sequence to the lessons? No. The lessons cover a variety of topics within all the sciences, particularly botany, animal science, earth science, and space science. They frequently have connections to geography, history, language arts, and math topics, too.

Do students need prior knowledge about a topic to get the most from a class. No. Cindy teaches everything necessary to understand the topic of the day.

Which membership level should I purchase? It’s always suggested that you begin your membership at the monthly level so you can be sure it will work for your family before making quarterly or yearly commitments. We are not able to process partial period refunds. You will have member access until your period expires. 

What is your refund policy? We are not able to process full or partial refunds at any membership level. It’s always suggested that you begin your membership at the monthly level so you can be sure it will work for your family before making quarterly or yearly commitments. You can upgrade or cancel at any time. Upon cancellation, you will have member access until your period expires. 

May I share my membership with another family? No. I’m sorry. Each family needs to purchase their own membership.

Is there special licensing for co-ops and classrooms? Yes. Please contact cindy@ourjourneywestward.com to learn more about a group rate. This licensing is only available to teachers who meet in-person with their students and use the membership while they are meeting together in-person with their students. No virtual co-ops or classrooms are allowed under any circumstances. You may not share the membership, video streaming, or supplementary packets with your co-op families or other teachers. Physical copies of the supplementary packets can be reproduced for each child in the class, but no digital files are to be shared with the students or their families. To reiterate, this special group license is available for one teacher to use in her own in-person classroom.

Do you offer special pricing for groups of families who wish to purchase individual family memberships at the same time?I’m sorry, but we do not offer group rates.

How do I renew or cancel my membership? Your membership will automatically renew. You should receive an email notification a few days before renewal. You may cancel the membership at any time from your account dashboard. Upon cancellation, you will have member access until your period expires. We are not able to process full or partial refunds at any membership level.

Can I pause my membership? No. If you aren’t interested in year-round access, consider monthly or quarterly options that make it easy to cancel and renew at your convenience. 

How can a grandparent or charter school pay for my membership? It’s easiest for them to purchase a gift card for you to apply to your own membership. Gift cards can be added to your account and applied toward future payments. You can find more information and purchase the gift card here.

What if I need a receipt for reimbursement from a charter school? You should receive a receipt via email that works for most charter schools. If not, please send an email to cindy@ourjourneywestward.com for a more detailed receipt.

What if my charter school wants to use a purchase order toward my membership? It’s highly preferred for a charter school to purchase a gift card for you, but purchase orders are accepted. Please ask the charter school to contact cindy@ourjourneywestward.com.