General Terms and Conditions

Behind the Scenes

Dear Participant,

From the moment you sign up for a course or program, we are busy organizing a wonderful experience for you. We gather materials from nature, make necessary purchases, and consult with instructors and volunteers. Behind the scenes, we are continually working to make each course a unique experience. Please read these terms and conditions carefully so that no one encounters unpleasant surprises.

Information

If you have any questions or want more information about a course, call or WhatsApp Thijmen Apswoude at ~31624218862 or send an email to: info@livingbynature.nl. We are generally reachable by phone from Monday to Thursday between 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM. From Friday to Sunday, we answer the phone if possible. Often, courses are being held, so we may not always be available. You can also reach us through social media channels.

Rates & Information

The rates and other information are listed for each activity on the website and on Facebook. Sometimes we repeat posts or make brief announcements without including all the details. If you have questions or want to speak to someone directly, feel free to contact us.

Each activity will indicate whether there are any additional costs, such as an extra hide for a tanning course if you have time left or wish to continue at home, or the purchase of used tools during the activity.

Registration & Payment

When you definitively sign up for an activity, we will reserve a spot for you. This includes registration with (advance) payment through our website, a completed registration form either digitally or on paper, or an email confirming your participation in an activity.

In some cases, we may ask you to make a deposit of 10% of the total amount to reserve your spot.

The remaining costs of the activity must be paid no later than 1 month before the start of the activity. The payment deadline will also be indicated on the invoice we send you. If you do not pay on time, you will receive a one-time additional 14-day period to make the payment. If you still fail to pay, we will charge you for the extrajudicial collection costs and statutory interest.

Cooling-Off Period

If you are a private individual, you have a cooling-off period of 14 days after signing up for an activity. This period starts after you receive the confirmation of your registration. Within this period, you can cancel your registration free of charge and without providing any reasons by sending us a letter or email. This is called the right of withdrawal.

If the activity starts within the cooling-off period, you can still cancel the activity after it has started. In that case, we will only refund the part of the activity that you did not participate in. You have no cooling-off period if the activity is completed within 14 days of registration.

After cancellation, you have 14 days to return any materials received. Any amounts already paid will be refunded to you no later than 14 days after cancellation.

Dissatisfaction

During a course, you will be asked if everything is to your liking. We do our best to meet everyone’s expectations for the course. If you feel that something is missing, unclear, or have any other concerns, we expect you to bring it to our attention. The instructor will discuss and resolve this with you. If you don’t express what is missing during the course, we cannot change anything after the day. We do not refund course fees if participants do not speak up during the course itself.

Sometimes we may not be able to resolve a complaint internally. If an unfortunate legal conflict arises, the conflict must always be assessed under Dutch law. In the case of a legal procedure, the conflict must be presented to the competent court in the Gelderland district.

Safety

The instructors ensure everyone’s safety. In some courses, you may work with tools, such as knives. The instructor will ensure that you work safely for yourself and the environment. This also applies to stray materials, handling nature, and interacting with others.

In case of a safety disagreement, the instructor has the final say.

The instructors of Living by Nature have the right to remove a participant from the course for misconduct or repeated failure to follow instructions, which leads to unsafe situations. A discussion will follow later between the participant and the instructor. Participation is at your own risk at all times. As a participant, you are responsible for your own safety. If you are unsure about anything, ask questions! And let the instructors know how you feel.

The instructors of Living by Nature are not all employed by Living by Nature. Sometimes we hire external parties to provide an activity. In these terms, we refer to them as “subcontractors.” Living by Nature, or one of the subcontractors, is not liable for any damage or personal injury resulting from participation in one of our activities, unless this damage is a direct result of deliberate action or gross negligence by Living by Nature or one of the subcontractors. You must also have adequate insurance to cover the risk of damage that you or a relative may suffer due to death, injury, or illness caused by participation in one of the offered activities.

Living by Nature is not liable for any damage or personal injury caused to third parties by one of the participants in the activities organized by Living by Nature, unless this damage is a direct result of deliberate action or gross negligence by Living by Nature or one of the subcontractors.

Cancellation Terms

Cancellation by Living by Nature

Living by Nature reserves the right to cancel an activity due to insufficient registrations. You will be informed about this no later than 7 days before the start. Any amounts already paid will be fully refunded by us. We will not reimburse any other costs you may have incurred, such as travel expenses. Living by Nature will, where possible, look for alternative options for the activity.

Cancellation of a Program

To hold your reservation, we charge 10% of the course fee. This amount is non-refundable. If you are not sure about participating, let us know you are interested. We can then inform you when the course is almost full.

If you cancel less than 1 month before the start, we will charge 50% of the total amount.

If you stop after the program has started, you will owe the full amount.

Cancellation of a Single Course

If you decide not to participate less than 1 month before, we will charge 50% of the amount for the time and materials we have invested.

If you cancel 2 weeks or less before the course, we will charge the full amount.

You can also choose to have someone else take your place. You are responsible for paying the full amount, meaning we will invoice you. You are also responsible for transferring all relevant information to both the replacement participant and Living by Nature.

Force Majeure

Unfortunately, sometimes an activity must be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. This may include government measures, illness of staff, or weather conditions. If possible, the activity will be rescheduled to another date. Your registration will then remain valid for the new date. If you cannot attend the new date, we will refund you the money you have already paid. If we cannot reschedule the activity, we will also refund your payment in full. We will not reimburse any other costs you may have incurred, such as travel expenses.

If we are forced to cancel an ongoing activity due to force majeure, you will only receive a refund for the part of the activity that was canceled.

Modification of These Terms

We are entitled to modify these terms. If we do so, you will receive a copy of the latest version via email as soon as possible. The most recent version will always apply.

Version: 01-04-2021