Frequently Asked Questions

We’re located in southeast Ohio, about 8 miles from Athens. For more detailed information about our location and how to get here, see our Directions page.

• Clothing for the number of days you’re coming plus a few extras in case of wet or cold (guests staying for more than 7 days can do laundry on site)
• Medications or special food items you require
• Closed-toed shoes suited to the outdoors
• Rain coat if you have one
• Sunscreen
• Toiletries
• Electricity-free fun: puzzles, card games, board games, books, musical instruments
• Outdoor guests: tent/hammock, rain fly, bedding, towel, biodegradable soap

Overnight program fees are refundable until 1 week prior to the program. Workshop fees are refundable up to 48 hours prior to the program. Payments made less than a week in advance of an event are not eligible for refunds.

Our Education page is a great place to start. You can see all of our offerings in one place, from short workshops to our Classic 7-day experience to custom options that you can co-design. From there, you can submit a request form to let us know your interests.

If outdoor recreation is more what you’re looking for, see if there’s an upcoming event that suits your group.

Tenderfoot is proud to welcome learners of all ages! A few of our workshops have minimum age recommendations, but most can be adapted to diverse age groups. The same is true for our overnight programs. When you submit a program request, we’ll ask questions to help us choose the curriculum that is most appropriate to your group.

Always! We have one major volunteer day each season – look for upcoming dates and registration information on our Events page. In addition to these big days, we have many ongoing projects that groups can adopt by working with us over several weekends or months until the project is complete. Lastly, we occasionally seek a small number of volunteers for a weekend project. These are announced on Instagram and Facebook. Follow us @tenderfootlearninglab.

We offer shuttles from the Columbus airport, the Ohio University GoBus station, and the Glen Ebon Rd bike path trailhead for guests arriving for overnight programs. We unfortunately do not offer group transportation for one-day events or workshops.

T-shirts and hats are coming soon, designed by our 2024 graphic design intern!

Our name has layers of meaning. First, a tenderfoot is a beginner, and we’re intentional about being a welcoming place for people who are new to sustainability. Second, our mission is sustainability education – we teach people to walk with a light, or tender footprint on Earth’s resources. Lastly, our co-founders hiked all 2,191 miles of the Appalachian Trail as a fundraiser for Tenderfoot’s startup funds. They had literally tender feet, and they reflect on the experience often to be reminded of the discomfort that sometimes comes with new experiences. Read our blog on this subject to learn about our months-long process of deciding on our organization’s name.

Yes! We have two bookable campsites that can accommodate 1 to 5 people. Campers have access to running water and a privy, and a bundle of firewood is included in each reservation. For larger groups, consider renting our Hammock Garden.

We love dogs, but not everyone is comfortable around them, and dogs don’t always love to meet new dog friends. Campers with a reservation at one of our campsites are welcome to bring pets. However, please leave your pets at home if you’re coming for an educational program in our lodge or another facility.

Tenderfoot is very vegetarian and vegan friendly, but we also love to support sustainable local meat and dairy producers. Our kitchen cooks up delicious, nutritious meals that are sourced from our garden and the many local farms we’re fortunate to have in Southeast Ohio.

With both indoor and outdoor options, there’s something for all comfort levels. Indoor guests stay in doubles or quads. All linens, both bed and bath, are provided. All rooms are furnished with bunk beds, and guests share two bathrooms. Please be aware, there is a resident cat in the lodge.

Outdoor guests bring a tent or hammock and stay in one of three designated camping areas. Water is provided at an outdoor spigot, and an outdoor shower and privy are available. 

1. The lodge, all buildings, and outdoor gathering spaces attached to buildings are tobacco free spaces (this includes all forms of tobacco use).
2. There is to be no use or possession of controlled substances or misuse of prescription medication.
3. Any person under the legal age is not permitted to consume alcohol or marijuana for the duration of their stay.
4. Any person of legal age to consume alcohol/marijuana may not do so during programmed hours (crew, class, meal, project, and volunteer time), and when on free time may not drink to excess or drive while under the influence.