Two Coyotes Wilderness School is ready for summer programs. Classes started June 29.

The nonprofit organization has locations in Newtown, West Granby, and Killingworth. Programs in Newtown are held at Sticks & Stones Farm, 197 Huntingtown Road.

“I am so excited and grateful that we are able to offer summer camp this year,” said Executive Director Maggie Gotterer in a recent phone interview. She added that she is happy to be able to provide a space for children.

The wilderness school offered online programs in the spring, and it offers COVID-19 program updates on its website for parents to stay up to date.

“The state of Connecticut has authorized summer camps to operate this season starting June 22, with new public health and safety requirements in place,” the online updates read in part. “Our camp season will start June 29 and we still have a few spots available.”

New protocols include all staff and onsite adults wearing face masks; children will undergo a health screening when dropped off; groups will be limited to ten campers and two staff; within groups of ten campers, children are not required to stay six feet apart, though activities will be monitored to minimize touch and close contact and increase hand-washing where appropriate. More of the protocols are posted on the Two Coyotes Wilderness School website at twocoyotes.org/covid-19-program-updates. Parents who sign their children up for programs also receive a detailed explanation of current protocols.

Gotterer said she is grateful that the health and safety adaptations are “manageable” for how the wilderness school typically runs its programs.

“We feel pretty excited that we can offer a safe environment for kids to reconnect outside,” said Gotterer.

The trails on the property at Sticks & Stones Farm have been open to the public, and Gotterer said after returning to the property recently that it felt healing to be back

“It’s really a special spot,” Gotterer said.

Offering online programming this past spring due to the pandemic was a “good example of how unusual circumstances create new opportunities,” Gotterer observed. Online spring courses included a series on wild art, and adding an interactive component to the online programs so students could share responses with instructors. Gotterer shared that many students explored their own backyard or nearby outdoor spaces through the online programs.

“It seemed quite empowering for some of our students,” said Gotterer.

The online program experience is inspiring potential future online programming. Gotterer said updates for online programs will be posted to the Two Coyotes Wilderness website. She said the school does not want children who cannot attend camp this summer to feel “left out.”

The wilderness school is also looking ahead to fall programming. Fall options typically include a full-school day program outside from 9 am to 3 pm. Details will be posted on the Two Coyotes Wilderness school website when available.

“We’re excited about some new opportunities this fall, too, and we are going to be working on that real soon, too,” Gotterer said.

More information about Two Coyotes Wilderness School and its programs is available on its website twocoyotes.org.