Early Childhood Education (I)

Irvine Nature Center is a non-profit educational organization that offers programs of environmental studies and natural science to children and adults of the greater Baltimore area. Our mission is to educate and inspire current and future generations to explore, respect and protect nature.

Internship Description

This internship is UNPAID, but eligible for academic or course credit if approved by your educational institution. Volunteers and interns in the Early Childhood Education Department at Irvine work with one or more of the following programs:

The Nature Preschool

• A mainly outdoor licensed preschool for children 3-5 yrs. old.
• Classes held Mon/Wed/Fri or Tues/Thurs from either 9:00am – 12:00pm (half day) or 9:00am – 2:00pm (full day).
• School year runs from September 5th to May 25th.
• No classes April 3rd – 7th (Spring Break) and a few other select dates.

Forest Explorers

• Our exclusively outdoor Forest Kindergarten for children 4.5-7 yrs. old.
• Classes held Tues. from 9:30am – 12:30pm, Wed. from 9:30am – 12:30pm, and Wed. from 1:30 – 4pm.
• Spring semester runs from February 21st – May 17th.
• No classes April 3rd – 7th (Spring Break).

Earth Friends Outdoors

• Exclusively outdoor thematic nature classes for homeschoolers, 6-12 yrs. old.
• Classes held Mon. from 9:30am – 12:30pm, Wed. from 9:30am – 12:30pm, Wed from 1:30 – 4:00pm, and Thurs. from 9:30am – 12:30pm.
• Spring semester runs from February 20th – May 18th.
• No classes April 3rd – 7th (Spring Break).

Volunteers and interns serve as teaching aides to help facilitate nature-based play and investigation in an environment that values hands-on learning, risky play, and getting muddy. Duties include assisting children with self-help skills, facilitating social interaction and cooperation, engaging in play with children, recording anecdotal records, reading to children, assisting with outdoor exploration, and helping with set-up and clean-up. Volunteers/Interns must be physically capable of hiking up to two miles per day. Interns also collaborate with the ECE staff and the Director in completing a project to benefit the program and its students or families. All interns/volunteers must complete a background check and attend an orientation. Preschool volunteers and interns must also comply with other state requirements.

Position Responsibilities

• Assist the two class teachers in leading classes of 8-14 students, aged 3-12 yrs. Old (dep. upon program).
• Set up materials for the class.
• Participate in and supervise nature play and investigations.
• Provide group management with the assistance of teachers.
• Provide 1:1 or small group assistance to students needing help with an activity or in need of a break.
• Clean up materials after class.

Qualifications

• Experience and/or strong desire to work with children ages 3-12 years old.
• Trust in children’s abilities and a willingness to step back and let them take the lead.
• Enthusiasm and curiosity about the natural world.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Strong communications skills.
• Positive attitude and professional demeanor.
• Your own transportation.
• Current First Aid/CPR helpful, but not required.

Hours

• Variable, depending on desired age group and program needs.
• However a commitment for the duration of a class meeting regularly throughout the season is preferable.
• Minimum time commitment for Forest Explorers or Earth Friends Outdoors is 3 hours a week.
• Minimum time commitment for the Nature Preschool is 6 hours per week.
• Maximum commitment is 30 hours per week.

TO APPLY: Please fill out the Volunteer Application on our website at https://www.explorenature.org/get-involved/volunteer/ before sending your resume and three references to our Volunteer Coordinator, Maggie Winkler, at [email protected].