Naturalist Internship & Training Program

“The plain fact is that the planet does not need more "successful" people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind. It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane.”

- David Orr, Ecological Literacy: Educating Our Children for a Sustainable World

Applications for the 2020-2021 Outdoor School year are open.

Click on the button below to follow a link to our on-line application.

At the Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center, our mission is to provide science-based experiential learning in the outdoors while fostering respect for the natural environment and empowering people to act in its interest. Our curriculum is closely aligned with Ohio State Learning Standards for social studies and science, but it is also closely aligned with the expressed needs of teachers, who emphasize nature connection, community building, and opportunities that support social-emotional intelligence for the students they bring here.

By becoming a Glen Helen Naturalist Teacher Intern, you join a 64 year tradition of exceptional educators who have gone on to be leaders in many fields. Being a Glen Helen Naturalist Teacher Intern is a life-changing experience. It's demanding and fulfilling and supportive in a unique way. There's a good chance you'll make great friends, touch many children's lives, and grow significantly as a teacher and as a leader. If you love children, nature, learning, science and being goofy, I hope you will apply.

- Michael J. Blackwell, Director, Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center

Outdoor Naturalist Teacher Training Internship Description

Our Outdoor School year begins with a 3-week intensive training course in mid-August and segues into a 35-week Teacher/Naturalist practicum; an intensive learning experience that merges theory and practice. A typical week involves a Monday learning/training day, followed by Tuesday to Friday Outdoor School. The Naturalist Teacher gains training as a leader for a group of 8-13 school kids (usually 4th-6th grade) who visit Glen Helen for four days and three nights to learn about nature while becoming better friends and community members in the process.

Naturalists have the freedom to creatively develop individual lesson plans and hone their teaching style and persona, as they create lessons to support schools' learning objectives. Lesson options include observation, questioning, senses, wildlife, succession, nocturnal animals, forest ecology, stream ecology, geology, weather, environmental problem solving, cultural history, cooperation, and team building.

We are in the process of adapting U of California Berkeley Lawerence Hall of Science BEETLES curriculum, which is emerging as a national leader in environmental education teaching. Teacher naturalists will experience significant gains in their skills and knowledge base as environmental educators, and as teachers and leaders in general.

The internship provides opportunities for Naturalists to get hands-on experience teaching with some of Ohio’s native wildlife, such as turtles, snakes, owls, hawks, falcons, vultures and eagles. Interns are trained to handle and care for animal educational ambassadors, and many a Glen Helen naturalist has begun a zoo or interpretive career here.

Interns form a personal and professional learning community. We share the values of being inclusive, of growing peacemaking and communication abilities that allow us to become better people and to live and work together skillfully. Interns live in one of three rustic houses in the midst of the beautiful 1,000-acre Glen Helen Nature Preserve while forming a supportive community of diverse, yet like-minded individuals dedicated to education and care of the natural world. The vibrant and artistic Village of Yellow Springs is within walking distance. No vehicle is required, but you are welcome to bring one.

Professional Development

Throughout the 10-month training period, interns also participate in a variety of professional development activities, including seminars, workshops, and training days on topics such as:

Theory and methods of curriculum design and teaching
A well-rounded exposure to natural history and Naturalist's skills in a variety of areas: plants, trees, birds, mammals, weather, fire, tracking, etc.
Group and child behavior management techniques
Project Learning Tree, Project WET, Project WILD, Population Connection
Field trips to local museums, zoos, arboretums, etc.
Attendance at regional environmental education conferences
Opportunities for camping, outdoor adventure and traveling to other nature schools

Responsibilities and Duties

Train as an environmental educator, sharing your learning with students in our week-long residential programs
Share in the daily and weekly responsibilities at the Outdoor Education Center and the Raptor Center

Qualifications and Skills

Passion for working with children, nature, holistic teaching, science-education
Willing to work and live in the community and work as a team
Minimum two years of undergraduate course work or associate's degree (four year preferred)
In-person CPR and First-Aid certification prior to program start (we provide training)
Ability to hike uneven terrain for six 3-hour hikes per week in all weather and work long days with some evening work
Pass BCI/FBI background check

Benefits

Biweekly stipend of $373, from mid-August to end of May, with a month off over winter break
Room and board, including vegetarian and vegan options
Intensive mentoring from Lead Naturalists and Directors
Opportunity to strengthen teaching and naturalist skills over course of guided 9 1/2 month practicum learning experience
Trained to handle and teach with birds of prey from our Raptor Center
Opportunity to deepen personal philosophy and theoretical understandings of education, learning and environmentalism
Opportunity to learn traditional naturalist skills: tracking, interpreting bird language, fire-making, etc.
Opportunity to practice arts-based learning through music, skits, games, and other arts
Gain experience with a carefully designed, state-standards aligned curriculum, including Beetles http://beetlesproject.org/ modules, with freedom for personal expression and interests
Opportunity for continuing year Glen Helen experience if chosen as an Ecocamp Naturalist Counselor positions or second year Lead Naturalist position
Access to a sweet, extensive naturalists' library
Access to Antioch College Wellness center, pool, and fitness programs for $35/month.
Access to on-line research journals through Antioch College
Professional development experiences: conferences, speakers, visits to other centers
Fall, winter and spring breaks