School Program volunteers help build access, comfort, convenience, and safety into our school field trips. Those who support the school program field trips allow staff to extend the opportunities for school groups to get outside into a living classroom and connect STEM standards to real situations. Volunteers enable more individualized support for first-time learners and create an inclusive skill-building environment. Volunteers help make it possible for kids and teachers to develop a stronger connection to nature by making it easy to experience the outdoors in fun activities.
Growing Gardeners Field Trip
School group size: Dayton Christian Mini Camp
40 Pre-K students with 10 chaperones (teachers and parents). Students will be broken into smaller groups.
Growing Gardeners is an interactive school field trip throughout the season at Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark, engaging young learners in a variety of activities and topics such as soil science, plant identification, guided nature hikes, and basic gardening tasks. Volunteers will help with groups of children in sensory exploration in nature and be a part of inspiring future generations of gardeners!
Tasks
- Welcome participants, assist with check-in, and help organize the group upon arrival.
- Help staff with program set-up & tear-down, including distributing program supplies.
- Assist with executing program objectives.
- Lead or assist in leading various stations within the specific field trip.
- Assist with guided hikes (1-to 3 miles) and participate with children in program activities.
- Provide excellent customer service to participants and visitors.
Eligibility: This opportunity is open to individual, long-term volunteers, ages 18 and up who have qualified as School Program Volunteer. Simply click the blue RESPOND button to sign up or click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer. 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), plus 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.
***If you missed the training session but are interested in responding to this opportunity, email volunteer.services@metroparks.org to review the training materials and schedule shadow experiences.
Additional Notes
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Parking & Meeting Instructions: Click here for a map of Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark. Volunteers should park and meet staff at Skeeter's Garden. Volunteers are scheduled to arrive 1/2 hour before the school arrives for a brief orientation, review of stations, and to gather supplies needed.
Cancellation: If you need to cancel a shift at the last minute or are running late, please contact your Staff Lead at the provided number.
Environment & Physical Demands: This program takes place outdoors - Please be aware of outdoor exposure risks (i.e. sun, poison ivy, insects, etc.). Volunteers should be aware of seasonal allergies (i.e., grass, pollen, bees, etc.), and may participate in some bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting objects of 15lbs or more. Volunteers may lead a group over uneven terrain and may be walking (1-to 3-mile hikes) during this opportunity.
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Dress: Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear their MetroParks name badge and t-shirt, long pants, closed-toe shoes, and have their favorite teaching aids, water bottle, sunscreen, and bug spray.
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:
