Are you open indoors again?
Yes! We opened indoors for July 2021 by appointment to the general public. You can book your visit at https://spi.schedulista.com. It's an easy to use system (no username or password required) and we do not collect payment for your visit in advance. It helps us manage our space and staff capacity to serve families well. We accept walk-ins when our capacity limits permit.
What can we look forward to inside SPI Spot right now?
Visitors will notice that we have a new Dynamic Floor area with support from Park National Bank; this is a touchless, interactive element that works using sensors. We are challenging the kids with a "Who Stole the Secret Slime Formula" hunt. Kids can perform four different tasks to deduce which of the five of our named villains is the culprit. There is also an "Ask a Health Hero" space for kids to record their questions for local health practitioners (which may be answered and featured in on our computer kiosk in that space). There is a veterinary play area for giving animals exams, vaccines, doing grooming or looking at samples under our microscope (cat hair, heart worm, a tick, frog blood and more)! Our dark room is currently turned into the inside of a barn to observe the nests and the nesting habits of barn swallows. Kids can use our telescoping mirrors to view into several different nests. We are also incubating eggs to hatch chicks. Kids can observe the eggs and learn about the different stages of egg hatching.
Visitors will notice that we have a new Dynamic Floor area with support from Park National Bank; this is a touchless, interactive element that works using sensors. We are challenging the kids with a "Who Stole the Secret Slime Formula" hunt. Kids can perform four different tasks to deduce which of the five of our named villains is the culprit. There is also an "Ask a Health Hero" space for kids to record their questions for local health practitioners (which may be answered and featured in on our computer kiosk in that space). There is a veterinary play area for giving animals exams, vaccines, doing grooming or looking at samples under our microscope (cat hair, heart worm, a tick, frog blood and more)! Our dark room is currently turned into the inside of a barn to observe the nests and the nesting habits of barn swallows. Kids can use our telescoping mirrors to view into several different nests. We are also incubating eggs to hatch chicks. Kids can observe the eggs and learn about the different stages of egg hatching.
What public health protocols will be in effect per SPI's policies?
You can expect limits on capacity for some time, made possible through the use of our "Schedulista" appointment-setting software, accessible here: https://spi.schedulista.com. Walk-ins are welcome as capacity-limits permit. (If we are booked to capacity, we can not admit you; use of this system is highly recommended to avoid meltdowns and disappointments at the door).
Masking is currently recommended - but not required - inside SPI for ages 3+. It is at the board's discretion to re-evaluate and update this policy at any time for any reason for the protection of visitors and staff.
No food or drinks can be consumed inside SPI; we have installed a picnic table outside for visitors, thanks to a mini grant from the Youth Philanthropy Initiative at the Knox County Foundation.
We've "batched" our play items for regular rotation and disinfection.
Ours is a space that serves an age group that is not yet eligible for the COVID vaccine. It is an interactive and hands-on community play space. Please do not come to SPI if you or anyone if your group is not well or not sure of their health status.
(updated: 3/4/22)
You can expect limits on capacity for some time, made possible through the use of our "Schedulista" appointment-setting software, accessible here: https://spi.schedulista.com. Walk-ins are welcome as capacity-limits permit. (If we are booked to capacity, we can not admit you; use of this system is highly recommended to avoid meltdowns and disappointments at the door).
Masking is currently recommended - but not required - inside SPI for ages 3+. It is at the board's discretion to re-evaluate and update this policy at any time for any reason for the protection of visitors and staff.
No food or drinks can be consumed inside SPI; we have installed a picnic table outside for visitors, thanks to a mini grant from the Youth Philanthropy Initiative at the Knox County Foundation.
We've "batched" our play items for regular rotation and disinfection.
Ours is a space that serves an age group that is not yet eligible for the COVID vaccine. It is an interactive and hands-on community play space. Please do not come to SPI if you or anyone if your group is not well or not sure of their health status.
(updated: 3/4/22)
What information do I need to read and agree to as a condition of participation in SPI programs?
Please see our Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability: www.spi-mountvernon.org/liabiliywaiver.html.
Please see our Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability: www.spi-mountvernon.org/liabiliywaiver.html.
What is your mask policy?
In reference to CDC and Knox Public Health's latest recommendations, SPI is moving to a dynamic mask policy that factors in community-level ratings of "low," "medium," and "high" risk. Currently, Knox County is labelled by the CDC as "medium."
SPI will at this time will RECOMMEND but not require masks for all visitors ages 3+.
Ours is a space that serves an age group that is not yet eligible for the COVID vaccine. It is an interactive and hands-on community play space. Please do not come to SPI if you or anyone if your group is not well or not sure of their health status.
It is at the board's discretion to re-evaluate and update this policy at any time for any reason for the protection of visitors and staff. Thank you for your mindful adherence to our COVID-related policies since reopening - our participants have done a great job helping others feel comfortable inside our shared space.
We will maintain capacity limits inside SPI, so guests are still asked to reserve their time in advance at https://spi.schedulista.com. Walk-ins are welcome only as capacity limits allow.
(updated: 3/4/2022)
SPI will at this time will RECOMMEND but not require masks for all visitors ages 3+.
Ours is a space that serves an age group that is not yet eligible for the COVID vaccine. It is an interactive and hands-on community play space. Please do not come to SPI if you or anyone if your group is not well or not sure of their health status.
It is at the board's discretion to re-evaluate and update this policy at any time for any reason for the protection of visitors and staff. Thank you for your mindful adherence to our COVID-related policies since reopening - our participants have done a great job helping others feel comfortable inside our shared space.
We will maintain capacity limits inside SPI, so guests are still asked to reserve their time in advance at https://spi.schedulista.com. Walk-ins are welcome only as capacity limits allow.
(updated: 3/4/2022)
Can I get an exception to the mask policy?
Our policy on masks is currently: RECOMMENDED but not required for ages 3+.
However, if this changes in reference to community risk metrics (or for WHATEVER reason our board deems necessary) - all guests will be expected to adhere to the current policy. Our staff members are not empowered to waive polices that SPI's board has set in place.
(updated: 3/34/2022)
However, if this changes in reference to community risk metrics (or for WHATEVER reason our board deems necessary) - all guests will be expected to adhere to the current policy. Our staff members are not empowered to waive polices that SPI's board has set in place.
(updated: 3/34/2022)
When you closed indoors due to COVID, I still had time on my membership. What are you going to do about that?
We extended memberships appropriately to adjust for the amount of time members could not access the indoor space at SPI. We publicized this at the time of our closure and - as we approached reopening - we also mailed letters to all members who were current at that time, giving details about their new expiration date. As an added benefit to members, we also negotiated an enhanced agreement with COSI in which named SPI members in your household could enjoy FREE admission to COSI from the date of that letter though October 31, 2021. (Our regular reciprocal arrangement with COSI - 50% off admission - is now currently in effect for those with active SPI memberships).
We hope that in our period of indoor closure you enjoyed our free SPI to Go programming; this initiative paired FUN and free outdoor outings for families with free themed bags of take-home experiments, books, crafts, discussion prompts and more - made possible with support from Ariel Foundation, United Way, Knox County Foundation, and individual donors and volunteers like you!
We hope that in our period of indoor closure you enjoyed our free SPI to Go programming; this initiative paired FUN and free outdoor outings for families with free themed bags of take-home experiments, books, crafts, discussion prompts and more - made possible with support from Ariel Foundation, United Way, Knox County Foundation, and individual donors and volunteers like you!
If your question hasn't been answered here, please feel free to contact us directly to ask. You can email Stephanie, our executive director.