EDUCATION ASSISTANT
Purpose: To assist education coordinator/naturalist and
naturalist interns with school, preschool and youth group programs.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Attend education assistant orientation
- Help naturalists set up educational materials and classroom space before
field trips and clean up and put away materials afterwards.
- Greet arriving groups with a smile, and send them off with a wave.
- Assist with supervision of children during hikes and activities.
- Provide additional positive attention and encouragement to children
during activities.
- Some programs require an education assistant to lead a simple
"station" activity with a small group of children, usually an identification
game or simple nature craft. Volunteers will learn about these activities at the education
assistant orientation.
Requirements/Skills:
- A love or children and the out-of-doors.
- A friendly, outgoing manner. Able to work with energetic children.
- Flexibility to "go with the flow" as is often required during
these dynamic programs.
- Our classes are "programmed for fun", so education assistants
need to be able to have fun along with the kids. The kids will only enjoy the field trip
as much as the leaders do!
- You do not need to be an expert in outdoor skills or natural
history knowledge. We will teach you what you need to know!
Training Required:
- Education Assistant Orientation
Time Commitment:
- Work a minimum of 4 programs/season. (An all-day field trip counts as 2
programs.) You are welcome to volunteer more!
- Volunteers needed for both week-day and weekend programs.
Benefits:
- Learn more, and become experienced in outdoor skills like snowshoeing,
and fishing.
- Learn more about South Dakota’s natural history, from habitat to
plant identification to insects!
- Satisfaction of knowing that you helped kids gain confidence and
knowledge in outdoor skills and outdoor awareness.
- Experience in public relations and youth work.
- Receive a navy "Volunteer Instructor" t-shirt.
- After assisting with 12 program equivalents, earn a neat pin!
- Meet others who are interested in outdoor activities.
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