Facilitator Contact 

Dr. Leslie McKesson: (828) 403-8160
leslie@theindustrialcommons.org

Tea Yang: (828) 302-9081
tea@theindustrialcommons.org

What to Bring

Students may bring a water bottle if desired. Lunch and snacks will be provided by TIC.

What to Wear 

• Students should wear comfortable clothes and shoes that are easy to walk in. There will be some walking outdoors, some sitting in air conditioned spaces, and some optional physical activity (basketball and soccer).

• Students will be indoors, primarily, but they should wear clothing that is suitable for the outdoors for our breaks.

• Time spent outdoors will vary depending on daily activities.

Sample schedule

Locations listed below are subject to change:

• Day 1–Burke County History and European American (Appalachian) Story, visit Brown Mountain Overlook

• Day 2– African American Story, visit Uncle Eee’s and New Day Christian Church 

• Day 3–Stories from the Public Square, visit History Museum of Burke County 

• Day 4–Hmong American Story, visit to Xieng Khoung Market, tour The Industrial Commons

• Day 5–Hispanic American Story, visit Law Offices of Bryan Jones

Transportation

Drop Off 

Drop off students at The Industrial Commons, 647 Hopewell Road, Morganton, NC between 9:45 and 10:00 am daily.

Pick Up

Pick-up students between 3:45 and 4:00 pm daily at The Industrial Commons. 

To ensure everyone's safety, students will only be released at the end of the day to the parent/guardian who registered them, unless you specify otherwise. If another driver is picking up students please send a signed note in advance indicating who your youth may be released to and on which day(s). Students are not allowed to leave the designated areas until a parent or guardian arrives for pick up. TIC is only responsible for students during the hours for which they are registered.

Lunch and Snacks

TIC will provide lunch and snacks. Each lunch will represent the culture we are learning about on that day. Please notify us if your child has special dietary restrictions or allergies (if not already indicated in the application).

General Rules + Safety

Students are to remain with their group and lead facilitators at all times. Hometown Walkabout works to provide a balanced, equitable approach to the narration of Burke County history. Whatever your orientation to this community might be, we welcome you to the dialogue and we ask that you be gracious and kind as we venture forth together:

Here are a few ground rules for our time together: 

1. Commit to creating a “brave” space: an environment that invites questions and discussions

2. Be willing to examine blind spots in your (or your fellow participants) views 

3. Accept that each participant is in a different stage of their journey toward cultural awareness

4. Commit to doing the work of this gathering and beyond, however that might look for you

5. Students will be asked to silence their cell phones and only check them during breaks.

COVID-19 Procedures*

• Masks will NOT be required

• If your student is feeling ill or has a temperature, please do not bring them to camp.

• Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are available and students will be encouraged to wash their hands frequently. 

  *Our COVID policies may change based on guidance from the CDC.

Student Behavior and Expectations

• All students are expected to work cooperatively within the camp group and follow the directions of the staff.

• We expect all students to treat each other with respect and communicate with positive messages and acceptance.

• Behavior problems are defined as behaviors that are unmanageable, disruptive to the group or endangering the welfare and safety of other campers, you or one’s self; this includes negative or hurtful communication. 

• Under no circumstances will bullying behavior of one student toward another be tolerated. Bullying behavior is considered harassment that may be verbal or non-verbal, written, graphic or physical that causes another student to feel unsafe or fearful of being in camp and interferes with their ability to participate in or benefit from the camp program.

Consequences of Poor Behavior

Parents will be informed if their student’s behavior is disruptive and will be expected to work cooperatively with TIC staff to correct the behavior. If the behavior continues, TIC reserves the right to dismiss the student from the program without a refund or financial credit.

Registration + Fees

• Please submit consent and waiver forms to complete your registration. These will be available on the first day of the program.

• No Fees are required due to Scholarship availability for all participants

Cancellation Policy

Please contact us as soon as possible if you are unable to make the program. This helps with planning purposes.  

Consent and Assumption of Risk

Disclosure of Risks

• Risks associated with your party’s participation in camp include health risks associated with exposure to COVID -19 and possible illness, sickness, or death. 

• The presence of the COVID-19 virus in the area where activity is being conducted is a risk you assume for yourself, and all whom you are responsible for, including every member of your party.

• Risks may result from your party’s actions, inaction, or negligence, and also from the actions, inaction, or negligence of other individuals (adults and other minors in the space).

Acknowledgment of Risks 

• Parent/Guardian understands the risks of participation in the activities described above, as well as any other activities that result in exposure to other individuals.

• Parent/Guardian will completely and fully discuss any concerns regarding these risks with staff prior to signing the Waiver and Consent Agreement, and prior to Party’s commencing participation in the activity.

Consent to Participate; Limitations

• Knowing and understanding the risks involved in participation, Parent/Guardian consents to the party's participation, upon signing the registration application. Consent is subject to express exceptions, which must be made known to TIC staff members in the application process.

Assumption of Risk and Responsibility

• Knowing and understanding the risks involved with participation in the activity described here, Parent/Guardian hereby voluntarily and willingly assumes full and complete responsibility for all losses and damages, including injury, illness, and death, resulting from party’s participation in the  after school.

• Parent/Guardian agrees that Parent/Guardian is solely financially responsible for any losses and damages resulting from Minor’s participation in the activity. 

• This Waiver and Consent Agreement is assumed when you sign the registration application.

Media Release

• We photograph and film activities to raise awareness for TIC and to document the students’ progress.

• Images of students are frequently posted to Instagram, Facebook, and our website, and may be used in press releases, news articles, presentations, and other printed or digital promotions.

Evaluation/Feedback

At the end of each camp, parents and students are asked to go online to complete a questionnaire that will provide useful feedback to us on a consistent and immediate basis. Additionally, always feel free to talk to our staff with any feedback you wish to share. We are eager to hear from you with both positive as well as constructive comments.