Are you seeking an ongoing, meaningful, and fulfilling volunteer opportunity? Do you enjoy interacting with kids? Join the Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve Nature First team! Nature First Rangers are needed to assist with setup, and interacting and engaging with first grade students attending the Nature First program. The program runs Tuesdays through Fridays from September 2 through September 30 from 10:15 a.m.- 1:15 p.m.
Due to the nature of this opportunity, we are asking volunteers to commit to at least one day a week during the program. Please do not respond to this opportunity if you are not able to volunteer once a week.
The Nature First program is a one of a kind nature education program that allows every first grader in the HSE district to visit, explore, and learn about Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve and the environment through a combination of curriculum-based activities and hands-on exploration.
Led by Fishers Parks Staff, classes visit Ritchey Woods in both the Spring and Fall to experience the changing of seasons while also learning about nature and environmental stewardship.
Our Nature First Staff visits each class two times during the year for lessons in the classroom that are directly tied to state standards and curriculum requirements such as science and math.
Benefits
The Nature First program offers children the chance to explore and learn about nature in new ways. Direct experience in nature is important to a child’s intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development, and multiple studies have found endless benefits to environmental education programs, including increases in:
- cooperation and conflict resolution skills
- self-esteem
- problem solving
- motivation to learn
- improved classroom behavior.
