Environmental Education Field Trip Volunteers

Shelby Bottoms Nature Center is seeking volunteers interested in training as field trip support. The Nature Center brings thousands of students to the park each year to explore the natural setting and get hands-on experience with outdoor science. Volunteers interested in training as field trip assistants should be friendly, patient, and ready to train on basic field trip procedures and best practices, as well as some basic park knowledge.  For interested and committed field trip volunteers, there are opportunities to train as a field trip leader after spending time assisting with and observing lessons.

Field trips are scheduled during the academic school year for Tuesday-Friday mornings, with occasional afternoon or full-day trips. Volunteers are needed primarily from 9:30-12:30 on days with large scheduled groups

Given the level of training required to assist with field trips, we ask for a minimum commitment of 3 field trips/season (spring and fall); ideally volunteers would be open to helping with at least two field trips a month during our busy seasons (August-October, March-May) as their schedule allows.
 
Duties

• Read curricula and shadow staff to learn SBNC field trip methods
• Once trained, accompany staff on field trips as support and lesson assistant
• Depending on age of students and field trip topic, field trip assistant responsibilities may include:
  • Keeping student groups together during hikes
  • Circulating during activities to provide support, answer questions (or refer questions to leading naturalist), and gauge student engagement and learning goals
  • Assisting with some setup and cleanup
  • Supporting students who are not experienced or comfortable in an outdoor setting
• Field trip assistants do not need to have teaching knowledge or experience, but should be open to learning and practicing outdoor teaching methods
• Ideal commitment of two field trips a month during our busy seasons (August-October, March-May)
• Availability on Tuesday-Friday, 9:30-12:30, and occasional afternoon or full-day field trips
• All field trip volunteers must pass a background check before working with student groups
• Field trip volunteers should have the ability to walk a mile over even terrain