Nature PlaySpace Education Volunteers will help plan and facilitate programs in our Nature PlaySpace, an outdoor play area designed to let children ages 7 and under be creative and try new things in nature. Volunteers will help set up, facilitate, and clean up programs, with programs ranging from bringing out extra materials and toys for kids to play with (Nature Play Days) to a nature-themed storytime and activity (Nature Stories) to a pond-exploration designed for toddlers (special monthly program) and more. 

Currently Recruiting for... Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 9:30AM - 12:30PM. Volunteers must commit to at least two shifts per month.

Major Responsibilities 

• Assisting with programs in the Nature PlaySpace

Requirements

All volunteers are expected to interact positively with children, families, and other visitors and communicate updates about the Nature PlaySpace and its maintenance needs to staff. Additional volunteer expectations include: 

• Experience with young children (helpful but not required)

• Able to communicate effectively with people of all ages, abilities, and diverse backgrounds

• Must be able to tolerate being outside in various elements with possible exposure to wildlife and inclement weather 

• Mobility to navigate grassy paths and other uneven terrain. Ability to lift and move program materials as needed

• Ability to remain calm and pleasant on busy days and under pressure

Prairie Ridge Ecostation is seeking volunteers to assist with the preparation, delivery, and clean up of outdoor experiential field trips for school groups. Field trips generally include guided hikes of roughly 1 mile through uneven terrain on natural wooded trails as well as exploration of aquatic organisms that live in our pond. Prairie Ridge is a nature preserve with about 40 acres of created prairie, bottomland hardwoods, ponds and streams. We share our love of nature with students to help foster their love and respect of nature,  so that they grow up to continue to respect and care for our precious planet as adults.  Programs are offered for PreK through High School groups. Descriptions of programs can be found here.

Currently Recruiting for... Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Friday 8:30AM - 12:30PM during the traditional school year.

Major Responsibilities 

• Help the lead teacher set up for the class, assist the lead teacher with program delivery, and help clean up from the program. 

• Volunteers get to pick which dates and programs they want to help with!

Requirements

• Being a nature lover and sharing your love of nature with kids of all ages is a must! 

• Natural history knowledge is a plus, and can be gained through experience volunteering. One example of an experience you may have is holding a snake shed for students to feel - so comfort with the great outdoors and all of it's wonderful inhabitants is essential. 

• Field trip groups generally arrive at 10am, so we like to be preparing by 9am at the latest, and clean up should be complete by 12:30 or often earlier. 

•  Must be able to tolerate being outside in various elements with possible exposure to wildlife and inclement weather. 

•  Mobility to navigate grassy paths and other uneven terrain. Ability to lift and move program supplies as needed.