Tag Archive for: education volunteer

Education Volunteer Training – Fall Field Trips

*This program is for returning Education Volunteers and/or those who attended the September 12th Zoom program.*

We will spend the morning going over the procedures for setting up for field trips, collecting data with children, and spend time practicing identifications for our two fall field trips: Insect Investigation and Grassland Restoration. Volunteers should be prepared to spend the morning out in the field (a literal field in this instance) and moving up to 1 mile over uneven terrain. This is a chance for new folks to get a feel for what to expect on a field trip (sans kids) and for returners to brush up and help teach those trying it out for the first time!

Cost: Free!

Age: Adults only.

Weather policy: Date and time subject to change dependent on weather. Please check your email for updates on the morning of the event.

COVID-19 Information: This program will be entirely outdoors (an outside porta potty will be available). Please do not attend if you are experiencing or have experienced in the last two weeks any symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.).

Registration is REQUIRED.

Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can open your spot to someone else.

By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.

We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

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Education Volunteer Information Session *Virtual*

***THIS IS A VIRTUAL EVENT***

The Clifton Institute provides around 40 field trips per year to around 1,200 pre-K-12th students from Fauquier County and beyond. During the field trips, students learn about the natural history of the Northern Virginia piedmont and participate in some of our ongoing research projects, such as our Native Grassland Restoration or Vernal Pool Monitoring!

We rely on an excellent team of volunteers to help run large field trips (sometimes 90 students at a time) alongside Clifton’s small education staff. This virtual program will be an introduction to Clifton’s educational mission, an overview of what field trips look like, and an opportunity for curious folks to hear about the volunteer positions available and ask questions.

If, after the online session you feel like you’d be willing to help with our field trip program, you can attend the in-person training on Friday, September 20th. All volunteers hoping to help with the education programs must attend the in-person training. Returning volunteers from previous years are encouraged but not required to attend the in-person training and do not need to attend this virtual session.

A Zoom link will be sent to registered participants the day of the event.

Cost: Free!

Age: Adults only.

 

 

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Education Volunteer Training – Spring Field Trips

More than a thousand K-12 students visit the Clifton Institute on field trips each year. Our goal is to get students outside, engaging with plants and animals, and learning that anyone can participate in research–including kids! On these trips, students help collect data for one of our on-going research projects. They spend anywhere between 2 and 5 hours exploring Clifton’s 900 acres, learning to identify local species, practicing field techniques, analyzing data, and discussing their results.

For some students, this is their first experience in a semi-wild space. Having enthusiastic, engaged adults at their side makes a huge difference in the quality of their trip. Clifton’s education team is very small and we need help to give these students the best experience possible! This training will focus on our spring Vernal Pool and BudOut Phenology field trips. If you are returning from the fall, this training will get you up to speed on data collection techniques and background on these two new subjects. For those who are new, you can check out our Field Trips page to learn a bit more about our trips!

By attending the training, you are not automatically beholden to volunteer. This is simply a way for you to learn more about what the field trips look like, what a volunteer’s role would be, and hone your own identification and field work skills. At the end of the training, there will be further instructions for how to sign up to volunteer.

Availability Requirements: Volunteers must be able to volunteer on Thursdays or Fridays, as those are our big field trip days. Typically the trips go from around 9AM – 1:30PM (but vary by trip). Our busiest months are March – May.

We ask that volunteers help with a minimum of 3 trips per season.

We appreciate your interest in helping us get Fauquier County kids outside and engaged with science! If you have questions about this training or our education programs, email Bridget Bradshaw (bbradshaw@cliftoninstitute.org).

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