Are you open indoors again?
Yes! We opened indoors in July 2021 by appointment to the general public, asking that visitors book their visits in advance using a new online reservation system found at https://spi.schedulista.com. This easy to use platform (no username or password required) does not collect payment in advance. While we still welcomed walk-in visitors as capacity limits permitted, this reservation system has been a helpful tool for managing our space, anticipating traffic, and serving families well (at a time when cleaning protocols intensified and staffing levels decreased). We currently are NOT using Schedulista until such time as circumstances again necessitate. Families may visit during publicized public hours as capacity limits permit.
(updated: 12/16/22)
(updated: 12/16/22)
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 families with a "Who Stole the Secret Slime Formula" hunt. With help from caregivers or friends , kids can perform four different tasks at various stations in our space 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 currently featuring stations related to amusement parks, carnivals, and county fairs. Kids can try out two different types of roller coaster launch systems - hydraulic and electromagnetic and enjoy other themed activities. New seasonal features are in development and will be installed shortly.
(updated: 10/22/22)
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 families with a "Who Stole the Secret Slime Formula" hunt. With help from caregivers or friends , kids can perform four different tasks at various stations in our space 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 currently featuring stations related to amusement parks, carnivals, and county fairs. Kids can try out two different types of roller coaster launch systems - hydraulic and electromagnetic and enjoy other themed activities. New seasonal features are in development and will be installed shortly.
(updated: 10/22/22)
What public health protocols will be in effect per SPI's policies?
You can expect limits on capacity for some time. We are currently not booking guest visits in advance using our Schedulista platform , so during busy times (school breaks) it may be possible that your party is turned away due to overcrowding. This has not been typical.
Masking is currently not required inside SPI. 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. Ours 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. Several viruses are surging in our community and nationwide. Experts recommend the use of masks as a tool for helping prevent the spread of any infectious viruses. We have masks available to guests upon request.
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.
(updated: 12/16/22)
You can expect limits on capacity for some time. We are currently not booking guest visits in advance using our Schedulista platform , so during busy times (school breaks) it may be possible that your party is turned away due to overcrowding. This has not been typical.
Masking is currently not required inside SPI. 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. Ours 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. Several viruses are surging in our community and nationwide. Experts recommend the use of masks as a tool for helping prevent the spread of any infectious viruses. We have masks available to guests upon request.
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.
(updated: 12/16/22)
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 moved 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 "low." For more information see: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html
SPI at this time does not require masks for visitors.
Ours is an interactive and hands-on community play space. Several viruses are surging right now nationwide and in our community. 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 public health policies since reopening from COVID closure - our participants have done a great job helping others feel comfortable inside our shared space.
We will maintain capacity limits inside SPI, but guests are currently not being asked to reserve their time in advance. If needed, we will reinstitute a system of advance booking at https://spi.schedulista.com. Walk-ins are welcome during publicized hours as capacity limits allow.
(updated: 12/16/2022)
SPI at this time does not require masks for visitors.
Ours is an interactive and hands-on community play space. Several viruses are surging right now nationwide and in our community. 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 public health policies since reopening from COVID closure - our participants have done a great job helping others feel comfortable inside our shared space.
We will maintain capacity limits inside SPI, but guests are currently not being asked to reserve their time in advance. If needed, we will reinstitute a system of advance booking at https://spi.schedulista.com. Walk-ins are welcome during publicized hours as capacity limits allow.
(updated: 12/16/2022)
Can I get an exception to the mask policy?
Our policy on masks is currently: "NOT REQUIRED."
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 current policy. Our staff members are not empowered to waive polices that SPI's board has set in place.
(updated: 10/4/2022)
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 current policy. Our staff members are not empowered to waive polices that SPI's board has set in place.
(updated: 10/4/2022)
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 member households 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 also 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 also 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.