School Program Naturalists use many resources during field trips to engage students and connect them to nature and the natural world. This opportunity is a planning time for the Fall season and training. Experienced school program volunteers (those who have participated in multiple tours) will assist staff in reviewing new field trip outlines and share ideas for how experienced volunteers can play important roles in the training of new volunteers. Volunteers are an essential part of making each field trip engaging and a learning experience, and as we welcome new volunteers, getting a good training lays the foundation for their success.
Impact
Volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our programs for all interested in learning. They enable more individualized support for first-time learners and create a better skill-building environment. Volunteers help people make a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.
Tasks
- During the 1st hour, get acquainted with new volunteers interested in helping with school field trips.
- Volunteers will work with staff to sort, purge, and organize materials and equipment used for school and teacher programs.
- Review training materials used in the past and assist with assessing value and planning the spring training.
- Review how the new material may be used, as well as how to utilize the space during programming with kids and family.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to individual, long-term volunteers, ages 18 and up who have qualified as School Program Volunteers. This opportunity is available for OSUE Master Gardener service hours.
- GET STARTED: This opportunity requires Volunteer Onboarding (Profile, Volunteer Handbook Signature, and for those 18 and up, an eligible background check), and completed School Program Volunteer training. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to begin completing the required qualifications, or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.
Additional Notes
- Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Cox Arboretum MetroPark. Volunteers arrive 15 minutes before the program begins to allow for parking, meet up with the staff in the Wallace Library/Resource Center. Lunch will be provided, and NEW volunteers will already be at the meeting location. After lunch, assist with getting any materials needed. Staff leads will orient volunteers to the day's activities, where supplies are located, and other important information.
- Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place primarily indoors, but access to the basement requires a brief outdoor time. Volunteers may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects to 10 lbs or more.
- Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather. Wear your volunteer name badge and your volunteer apparel.
Learn more about Programming opportunities with us on the Volunteer Position page! Have questions or need help getting started? Contact Volunteer Services at volunteer.services@metroparks.org or #937-275-7275, or join us at a Volunteer Open House
Want to Branch Out? Exploring multiple opportunities is a great way to 
stay involved, build new skills, and experience different parts of the parks! Consider this/these opportunities:
