VOLUNTEER NATURALIST TRAINING APRIL 2, 4, AND 5, 2008

TRAINING SCHEDULE

Spring Volunteer Naturalist Training will be held on the following dates:

Day 1 Wed - Apr 2	The first night introduces you to DNS, our staff, your fellow volunteers, and the CDN curriculum. We get necessary paperwork out of the way, take some time for a dinnertime snack, and distribute the Volunteer Naturalist Manual. Please note: DNS asks for a donation of $10 to cover copy costs of the manual.
Day 2 Fri - Apr 4	First thing in the morning, you will shadow one of our experienced veteran volunteer naturalists who will be leading REAL children on a REAL hike. After lunch, we spend time learning additoinal theme-based activities that you will use with students from grades K-5.
Day 3 Sat - Apr 5	We spend the morning learning about the natural history of the Nature Center including river ecology, plant identification, and wildlife signs. After lunch, we continue learning about the activities DNS uses for each program and age group. You will also work with one of our veteran volunteers or DNS naturalists on the mechanics of setting up a walk. Lastly, you will get to sign up to lead a Mock Walk (a practice walk) the following week.
Mock Walk Thu - Apr 10 OR Fri - Apr 11	A mock walks is your chance to practice leading a group of children on a nature walk with the added support of veterans or staff. Our goal is to pair each new volunteer with a veteran or staff naturalist so that you will have someone to help you through your first real day. We may add additional Mock Walks depending on how many new volunteers join the training and, if necessary, we can arrange another date for yours.
CDN Walks Tue - Fri mornings Apr 15 - May 23	These walks are the heart of the season and the reason for all the great training! Each season, approximately 1,250 children visit the Nature Center, so every volunteer and every walk is important. Thus, we ask you to sign-up to lead a minimum of three or four walks on Tuesday through Friday mornings during the season. You can choose the dates that work with your schedule or an age group that appeals to you most.