Policies

Mission Statement

The mission of Bumbershoot Aerial Arts (BAA) is to enrich the lives of students by offering high quality instruction in aerial, circus, and movement-based arts ”for all levels and abilities” in the context of a caring community and within a safe, nurturing environment.

Entering the Studio

The entryway of our studio is outfitted with cubbies for your shoes and personal belongings. Make sure everything fits neatly in a cubby so that it doesnâ€™t get lost or tripped over. You will also find hooks for hanging coats or bigger bags.
After putting your belongings away, make your way down the steps to the podium area. If itâ€™s your first time being at our studio for class, please check in with the coach on duty. They will likely be at the podium.
With the exception of service animals, and special request situations, pets are not allowed on the premises.
While in the entryway, please be mindful of others and leave room for other students and classes that may need to travel through. The entryway is a shared area, so please share the space and pick up after yourself.
Family, friends and visitors of students may watch from the the seating area provided against the two main walls, but are not permitted in the training areas.
No smoking is permitted in our studio.

What to Expect as a Student

BAA coaches prioritize facilitating and encouraging a supportive environment. Your coaches will meet you where you are and will coach with your specific goals in mind. Goals, preferences, questions, concerns, critiques and feedback of any kind are highly encouraged.
At the end of a session, workshop or private lesson, we encourage you to talk to your coach about any classes or workshops you are considering next. They will help you determine what level classes might be right for you and may be able to suggest future classes that fit your particular interests.
All our students and programs at BAA are important. Each individual is valued for what they bring to the studio, and what their individual goals and needs are. If you have any concerns, please bring them to your coach so that we can continue to create the environment that welcomes everyone.
Your coach will greet you as they take roll for the class and introduce everyone to start the class. The coach will go over the â€œFirst Day Talk,â€ detailing some studio policies and focuses for your time while in class. Please let them know about any limitations, adaptations or concerns that might affect your ability to participate fully in class or might require adjustments to the techniques offered. Coaches are happy to make accommodations and youâ€™d be surprised how often an adjustment is possible.
After introductions, the coach will lead the class through a warm up followed by skill building, technique learning, sequence choreographing as well as any supplemental conditioning, creative or training skills that may be useful to the students. Please feel free to communicate with your coach what your interests are. They are always happy to take these into consideration where appropriate.
Our coaches teach in clear progressions and use a lot of hands-on spotting. They will communicate about spotting to you in advance and let you know what the goal of the spot is. If you have any spotting related questions or concerns, please bring them up with your coach. They are happy to provide additional information. If you are uncomfortable being spotted or with a particular spot, the coach will either adjust the skill or spot or they can adjust an activity to be something that can be done safely without a spot. There are many skills that simply must be spotted until a student is ready. BAA coaches are available to talk about this openly with students and parents to make sure everyone is comfortable and we encourage open communication about safety of every kind.

During Class and Training

Help us get the most out of our time together by arriving on time. Students arriving more than 10 minutes late may be asked to sit out.
No food, glass, or open containers are allowed in the training space, however you are welcome and encouraged to bring a water bottle.
Use a crash mat at all times (unless you have special permission for a specific reason). Note that the red carpet bonded foam mat does not count as a crash mat.
Follow the instructions of your coaches at all times. Anyone not following instructions or being disruptive may not be allowed to participate at the coaches discretion.
Only use equipment you have been expressly given permission to use by a coach and only when you have permission to use it.
Any students participation can be limited by a coach at any time if the coach feels that their safety is compromised for any reason including but not limited to illness, injury, fatigue, distractions or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Students suspected to be intoxicated or high will be asked not to participate.
Cell phones are not permitted for use of calls or texts while in the training spaces. However, phones can be used for video use when approved by a coach. To take video, most of the time your coach will encourage you to listen to instructions (as opposed to videoing instructions) and learn the material fully first. Afterwards, you can have a coach or fellow student take a video of YOU actually executing the skill. We find students learn the material more completely this way.
All injuries, no matter how minor, must be reported to your coach.
For some injuries, including concussions, students may be required to have written permission from a doctor to return to class.
No one may use equipment or train while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, excessive fatigue or any other consideration that would impede their ability to train safely. Coaches may prohibit participation if they suspect any of these factors are the case.
Refrain from coaching other students - let the trained coaches do that and use your training time to focus on your own goals and progress.
Coaches may add to the studio rules at any time to ensure the safety of the students.
If you have a safety concern of ANY kind, please bring that to your coach, who will address it promptly.
Potential students may observe an approved class once only, and only with special permission of the instructor.
If you have concerns or feedback about your classes, or if you just want to sing the praises of an amazing coach email us at info@thebumbershoot.com.

Drop in Policy

Bumbershoot allows drop ins for Aerial Fitness, Straddle Up Power Hour (if approved by your instructor), Conditioning for Aerialists (for students level 2 and higher), and in our stretching classes.
Rate: $35 for 90 minute classes and $30 for 60 minute classes. Students must create an account on the website, sign an electronic waiver, and purchase a Drop In Pass through the website prior to the class. Students do not need to pick a particular class when purchasing their Drop In Pass. Just make sure to select the correct time option, 60 minutes or 90 minutes. After purchasing your Drop In Pass, just show up 10 minutes before class and let the coach on duty know you are there for a drop in.

Make Up Policy

Bumbershoot allows 1 makeup class per 6 week class per session. Makeups can be done in either an Aerial Fitness class, a Stretching class, Straddle Up Power Hour, or by attending an Open Aerial practice free of charge.
Students do not need to call or email before doing their make up in one of the approved classes (Aerial Fitness, Straddle Power) or open aerial.

What To Wear

Fitted, workout type clothing that you can move in. Yoga pants, leggings, running, and biking pants, are great. For most Aerial activities, you will want fabric covering the backs of your knees down to about mid calf or full length. NO SHORTS. For some more advanced moves you may want to bring long sleeves. Leotards or shirts that will stay tucked in are recommended.
Kids should wear comfortable, athletic clothing. Pants, tights, or leggings and a top that is long enough to tuck in or a leotard.
No metal or hard plastic of any kind. No fitbits, apple watches, buttons, zippers, snaps, grommets, velcro, or other accessories or embellishments that could snag the equipment. If your clothes have any of these items on them, you may be asked to purchase and wear studio shorts, pants, or tops over or instead of your own clothing so that you can participate in class.
All jewelry except very small, non dangly earrings must be removed before class. If jewelry is permanent, and at risk for snagging on equipment, it needs to be taped or covered.
Students practicing for Showcase or First Fridays may be permitted to use approved ear buds for practice but anything metal or hard plastic other than the ear buds itself must be covered by clothing at all times while on the equipment including clips or fasteners. Bluetooth behind the head earbuds that allow the ipod to be left on the ground is preferred.

Skill Requirements

Beginner/Introductory classes have no prerequisites. All other classes have specific prerequisites that are designed to help ensure that the class is a good fit for you. Please see class description and prerequisites for details and/or ask an instructor if unsure if a certain class is a good fit for you.

Student Performances

Throughout the year, BAA provides opportunities for students to perform if they choose. It is not required, but performing can be a tremendous asset to connect with your aerial training on a deeper level and share with others. We offer opportunities including our monthly First Friday shows and annual Student Showcase. Talk to your coach if you are interested in performing and they will connect you with some options and opportunities.

Open Aerial Practice

Students must create an account, sign a waiver, and purchase an Open Aerial drop in through our website prior to participate in Open Aerial.
Open Aerial Practice is a supervised but open practice time and no instruction will be given by the instructor.
Cost is $18 for Bumbershoot students and $25 for non-students.
Prepaid punch cards are available to Bumbershoot students at a discounted rate ($150 for 10 practices). Families may not share punchcards. All students much purchase their own prepaid punch card.
You are considered a current Bumbershoot student if you are enrolled in a class or have taken a class or private lesson within the last 2 weeks.
Participants must be 18 years of age or older in order to participate. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis for Bumbershoot students.

Open Aerial Rules for Students

You are only allowed to use equipment on which you have obtained instruction from a Bumbershoot Coach.
Open studio time is a time to practice skills that you have learned in a class AT BUMBERSHOOT and which have been approved by your coach to practice. It is NOT a time to teach yourself new skills or practice skills that your coach has not yet approved you to practice in OA.
You may NOT teach or spot another Open Aerial student on any new skills. Spotting for conditioning exercises, however, is encouraged!
If the instructor on duty feels that something you are doing is not safe for you to practice during Open Aerial you must stop until approval is agreed upon by your coach and the instructor on duty.
Share the equipment, warm yourself up before getting on it, and always have an appropriate mat underneath you. If this is unclear to you, check with the instructor on duty.

Open Aerial Rules for Non-Bumbershoot Students

In addition to the rules above, you must call or email ahead and set up a complimentary orientation with a Bumbershoot coach prior to participating in Open Aerial for the first time.
Non-students may not do any drops or rolls during Open Aerial that have not been approved by a Bumbershoot coach.

Youth

All children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
The policy above may apply to youth over the age of 13 depending on the youth.
Youth under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for all private lessons. This is not necessary for classes.
Parents/adults may NOT bring children with them to play quietly by themselves while the adult is in class. If an adult would like to bring a child with them to be at Bumbershoot while the adult is in class, another adult supervisor, must be present.

Age Restrictions

For adult classes, all students must be 13 years of age or older, or have an instructor's permission.
Kids' classes are age specific; please follow age guidelines for the corresponding class.
Any student under eighteen years of age must have a parent/guardian create an account for their child, read, agree to, and sign our Liability Wavier on behalf of and for the student prior to any participation.

Student/Employee Relationships

For the safety of our students and coaches, any consensual romantic relationships between BAA coaches and a BAA adult student MUST be disclosed to management to ensure that it does not affect the students experience at BAA or other students experience at BAA or the ability of the coach to perform their job. No relationships of this nature are permitted between BAA coach and a student under the age of 18.

Mandatory Reporting

Some of BAAâ€™s youth programming falls under the mandatory reporting guidelines and some may not. However, all BAA coaches and staff are required by BAA to act as mandatory reporters for every program involving students under the age of 18. This means that all staff are required to report any suspected child abuse or neglect.

Payment

We accept all major credit and debit cards. All registrations and payments for workshops, private lessons, open aerials, drop ins and classes must be done on this website.
Payment for the entire session must be received prior to the first day of class.
There is a processing fee of $15 per class. This fee is waived for all classes paid for before the registration deadline.
To inquire about a payment plan, email info@thebumbershoot.com. Unless a payment plan has been authorized otherwise, all payment plans must be complete by the start of the program.

Refunds and Cancellations

Bumbershoot has a No Refunds policy on all classes, workshops, and intensives unless canceled by the instructor, regardless of students ability to attend. This also means no transferring to a different class or session unless the class you signed up for is canceled by Bumbershoot.
Bumbershoot reserves the right to cancel any class or workshop that does not have 6 or more students registered. Students who are registered in a class that gets canceled will be allowed to transfer into a different class or receive a refund.
Private lesson students must give 24 hours notice for cancellation in order to avoid being charged for the full price of the lesson.

Discounts & Perks

By signing up for more than one class during a term, you will receive a 10% discount off the total price of each class after your first one. Less expensive classes will be discounted first.
Families will receive a 10% discount off the total price of classes taken by additional family members including spouses, and children. Less expensive classes will be discounted first.

Liability Waiver

Prior to participation all students must first create an account on the website, read, agree to, and sign our Liability Wavier which is available online through our website.
Any student under eighteen years of age must have a parent/guardian create an account for their child, read, agree to, and sign our Liability Wavier on behalf of and for the student prior to any participation.

Emergency Information

Medical Emergencies: If you or someone else has a medical emergency, please notify the nearest coach immediately. The coach will assess the situation and may need to follow our incident/accident protocol which may include completing a report (anything more than basic first aid), requiring the individual seek medical attention or calling 911. Anyone who falls in a manner that could have caused damage to their head, neck or spine will not be moved and 911 will be called.
Tornado or Severe Weather - Coaches, students and visitors should gather in bathrooms and away from windows.
Fire, Earthquake or Evacuation - Coaches, students and visitors should leave through the nearest exit. Coaches should guide visitors to the nearest exit.
Lockdown Procedure - When there is an immediate threat making it more dangerous to exit the building than to stay inside, a lockdown procedure may be necessary. This is designed to secure the safety off all occupants of the building. If it is safe to exit the building, exit the building. If not, students, staff and visitors should go to the bathrooms or the storage storage closet. The storage closet door is lockable from the inside. Bathroom doors can be barricaded or wedged shut with a door-stopper. Call 911 and wait for emergency services to give the all clear.