School Program Volunteer
Seasonal Training
Nature Exploration at Cox Arboretum
We are welcoming back current volunteers, and recruiting new volunteers, to support our efforts with the educational field trips. Five Rivers MetroParks offers a wealth of onsite educational programs for area school groups. These programs are adaptable to a multidisciplinary curriculum and meet Ohio Academic Content Standards Benchmarks. To see the full lineup of educational field trips we offer: visit our community resource page on our website. Volunteers do not need to have a teaching degree to support our educational field trips, but they do need to enjoy helping kids learn about nature and encourage their curiosity and excitement about new discoveries!
Training for our school field trips is seasonal with sessions primarily in the Spring and Fall. This annual training will focus on the Fall offerings and updates in program details. This session will focus on exploration activities, tips, and tricks for creating a good learning environment, and discover how to best engage kids in fossil exploration and tree hikes. Multiple days are being offered so we can be specific in the focus of the training and locations each day. Volunteers are encouraged to attend as many as possible.
Session Details:
Friday, September 6 - 9 am-Noon
Nature Exploration Day at Cox Arboretum - Volunteers will participate in various exploration activities, learn some tips and tricks for creating a good learning environment, and discover how to best engage kids in fossil exploration and tree hikes.
Wednesday, September 18 - 9 am-Noon
Growing Gardeners at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark - Volunteers will learn about this year-round field trip and the many elements to explore at Wegerzyn during a field trip. This will be an interactive session with volunteers participating in many activities offered and discovering ways to engage young learners in activities and topics such as soil science, plant identification, guided nature hikes, and basic gardening tasks. Volunteers will learn how to pot up a fall plant and be able to take it home.
Each session will allow volunteers to get better acquainted with the unique features of MetroParks, as well as, specific skills, and activities for volunteers to build their abilities. A chance to explore some of the tools available to get students excited about nature and actively involved in field trips, best practices, and safety in nature and on the trails, and share ideas for exploration and engagement when working with youth will be an integral part of this training series. Volunteers will have the opportunity to review the School's Sustainable Lunch protocol and a Get Connected review to be read for the season.
DRESS: Volunteers should wear their volunteer shirt and name tag, closed toed shoes, and any tools they like to use when working with kids in nature.
Please RSVP to all the sessions you can attend. New school program volunteers are encouraged to attend all the sessions. Shadow Experiences will be available during the season for new volunteers.
DO YOU QUALIFY? This training and opportunity are reserved for long-term volunteers who have completed their onboarding qualifications and have received an eligible background check (for volunteers 18 and older), Learn more about our volunteer orientation and onboarding here.
Volunteers should enjoy working with youth, be comfortable in nature, and be excited by discoveries!
Learn more about the Programming Volunteer Position here.
The staff Lead, and content experts, for training dates, will include Doug Horvath (Outdoor Education Coordinator), Christine Gaffney (Outdoor Education Specialist), and Pam Lynons-Gromen (School Program Coordinator).
