Making the Tough Decision to Postpone or Cancel Programs

When we make the decision to postpone or cancel a program, it is never taken lightly. Our core belief is that there is no such thing as bad weather, only different opportunities to learn and adapt.

We thrive on being outside in all seasons, embracing the changes nature brings. Year after year, we see that no winter is like the one before, and this unpredictability makes each season an adventure.

This most recent storm is one I have regrets about. A lot of factors play into making the call to postpone a session. We don’t just glance at a single weather app; we cross-check multiple weather networks and follow a trusted forecaster. We consider the safety of our families and facilitators on the roads, the feasibility of getting trails plowed in time, and most importantly, the experience and well-being of the children in the forest.

Part of our process involves listening to families. Sometimes we receive messages asking if a session will be postponed, and we take those into account. We aim to make the call with enough notice for parents to adjust their plans, but not too early, as the weather can shift drastically overnight.

Take the March 2025 predicted storm, for example. Warnings were piling up, and we decided the night before to postpone, giving parents time to prepare. But then morning came. The snowfall was beautiful, the roads were melting, and I sat there wondering—should I have waited? Should I have held off and reassessed in the morning? It’s a tough balance: waiting too long and keeping families in limbo, or making the call too early and watching the weather surprise us.

All we can do is keep learning and adapting, making the best decisions we can with the information we have at the time. Will we always get it right? Maybe not. But our goal is always to prioritize safety, ensure a great experience for the children, and make the most of every opportunity to be outside together. The next time we gather, we’ll make the best of it, no matter what the weather throws our way.