School Program Volunteer

Seasonal Training

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!

We are welcoming back current volunteers, and recruiting new volunteers, to support our efforts with the educational field trips.  Training for our school programs are seasonal with sessions in the Spring and Fall.  This Annual training will focus on the Spring season and include: updates in program details, best practices for working with students in nature, engaging different age groups, and allowing volunteers to get better acquainted with the unique features of MetroParks, as well as, specific skills, and activities for volunteers to build their abilities. 

We are expecting a full field trip calendar! Volunteers who are excited to work with youth are an essential part of making field trips an enjoyable learning experience for each group! This year, training takes place over 4 days.  If you can not attend all sessions but still want to support field trips, contact Yvonne.Dunphe@metroparks.org to schedule shadow experiences.

Day 3 - Part 1: Wegerzyn Gardens

Monday, March 17, 9 AM - 11:30 AM  

The morning session will be at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark and focus on Growing Gardeners stations and cool park features to be discovered.  This is a year-round field trip and volunteers will have a chance to learn about the many elements to explore at Wegerzyn during a field trip.  This will be an interactive session with volunteers participating in many of the activities offered and discovering ways to engage young learners in activities and topics such as plant identification, guided nature hikes, and basic gardening tasks.  We will also be welcoming our new staff lead for the Wegerzyn Gardens field trips.

Day 3 - Part 2: Carriage Hill MetroPark

Monday, March 17, 1:00 - 3:30 PM, Redwing Shelter
This is a great location for Habitat Safari. We will familiarize ourselves with the equipment box and field trip route as we lead our own Habitat Safari.
***Those volunteers attending both part 1 & 2 sessions will enjoy a boxed lunch at around 12:15 pm at Carriage Hill.

Day 4 - Sugarcreek MetroPark

Wednesday, March 19,  9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Ecology Hikes are popular at this location, and this session will focus on elements of a good discovery hike.  Volunteers will investigate signs of spring, flag interesting stops along the way, and review the best hiking paths.

Additional Notes

• This is a Long-Term Volunteer Opportunity. Learn more about our types of service here. 
• Volunteers will be standing, walking, bending over, and reaching.  Walking through the field trips will require hiking (about 1-1.5 miles), pond-dipping, and insect netting.
• Volunteers should make every effort to attend all sessions. 
• If you can not attend all sessions but still want to support field trips, contact Yvonne.Dunphe@metroparks.org to schedule shadow experiences.  Please RSVP for dates you can attend.  
• An early Ecology hike is already scheduled with young learners on March 20. Volunteers interested in supporting the  March 20 field trip are strongly encouraged to attend the March 19th training.
• Dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes for hiking, and wear your volunteer t-shirt and name badge.

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. 

Learn more about the Programming Volunteer Position here.  

This session will focus on the field trips at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark and discovering the unique features used to engage the kids. 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: 

Wednesday, September 18 - 9 am-Noon

Field trips at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark - Volunteers may 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 Betty Hoevel (Outdoor Education Coordinator) and Pam Lynons-Gromen (School Program Coordinator).