Workshop Training General Info & Cancellation Policy
Vaccination & WNS Requirements
RABIES: Proof of Rabies Vaccination -or- Acceptable Titre (rabies antibody level) is required for all students wishing to handle bats at a "Handling" workshop, or any event that specifically captures bats. Bats will not be handled during any other class, unless specifically indicated in the description, therefore all other trainings have no rabies pre-exposure requirements.
COVID-19: To participate in any in-person training, all students must adhere to federal, state, and any local COVID regulations which may include mandatory masking and/or vaccination and/or testing requirements prior to, during, or after attending an event. Please note training venues may enforce COVID policies that are different than those that students experience in their home states or towns and/or policies may change prior to the start of training. Pre-course materials will include any updates to COVID requirements. Unless otherwise noted in pre-course materials, CDC-recommended face-masks are required to be worn by all students interacting with bats in the field and social distancing requirements between students, between students and instructors, and between students and bats will be enforced.
White Nose Syndrome (WNS): All of our Eastern US "Handling" type events are in long established WNS-positive areas. Participants are expected to bring a supply of disposable gloves for when handling bats. Two sizes may be necessary, one larger so as to fit over a regular bat handling glove. We advise washing clothes and equipment before returning to work at non-WNS positive locations. Additional venue-specific WNS info will be made available in the pre-course material after registration.
Confirmation Details
Courses fill quickly and attendance at each course is strictly limited due to staffing and facilities logistics. Registration and payment is required to reserve a seat in class. An automated receipt for course fees is sent immediately upon registration. Ten-days to 2-weeks prior to the start of class, we will contact class members to confirm registration details and will provide additional pre-course materials including a detailed daily agenda and information on what to bring to and how to prepare to enhance participation.
Deadlines and Cancellation Policy
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: The registration deadline for all courses is midnight on the day 28-days prior to the start of class (listed as “Day 1” on the course agenda). Reservations cannot be held without payment. After the deadline, space in class is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and only if the attendance cap has not been met. Daily rates for courses are not available, except where noted.
CANCELLATION POLICY: Refunds will be issued upon written request (sent via email, post or text), less a $250 processing fee, if a participant must cancel prior to the registration deadline. After the deadline, fees are not refundable but registration is transferable to another participant for the purchased training only. In the event that a training event must be cancelled by the organizer (e.g., BCM or one of our partners or venues) 100% of all registration fees paid will be refunded or credited and can be transferred to another training course. Credits are valid for 24-months from the date of cancellation.
Consider purchasing trip insurance if these policies are not acceptable.
Additional Small Print . . .
What's not included: (1) Meals and/or lodging, unless specifically indicated on the training agenda, (2) transportation to and from the workshop location, and (3) any pre- or post-course. lodging to facilitate student travel. View individual course descriptions regarding any specific meals and/or lodging packages that are included or might be available for purchase at each venue.
What to expect: Certain training venues are located in under-developed areas where primitive conditions may exist. Cell phone and/or Internet service on site may not always be available or reliable. Fieldwork can be inherently challenging for some people and students should expect to encounter uneven terrain, insects, poisonous or dangerous animals, exposure to sudden weather events, or other unforeseen hazards. Our staff has been working at our field locations for decades and take student health and safety concerns seriously, but we cannot protect everyone against every eventuality. A certain amount of proficiency with outdoor activities is expected of all participants.
BCM has the right to refuse participation to anyone in one of our events if we feel that such participation may disrupt class, cause harm to the participant or others, place undue burden on the instructors or local facilities, or jeopardize the goals for the quality of instruction. Any student asked to leave after Day 1 of a scheduled event will forfeit access to any class resources or promised follow-up and will be excluded from future participation in a BatSS-sponsored event.
Workshops are dynamic, no two are exactly the same: Presentations, agendas, and activities listed on the training agenda are subject to change according to group dynamics and local field conditions. If the purpose of attending one of our courses is to help maintain or improve skills related to employment or business, expenses related to the programs may be tax-deductible according to I.R.C. Reg. 1.162-5. Please consult a tax advisor for details.
Completion of any training class does not constitute an endorsement of skills that may be required by a permitting agency.
Please, no audio or video recording during class.
