Naturalist Fellowship Description
Training
To get familiar with our program, the first 2 weeks of the fellowship consist of training.
Naturalists attend class during the day learning class content and technique through
participation. Evenings are spent familiarizing staff
with equipment operation, the
liaison role, and other necessary skills useful to residential environmental education.
During winter and spring, additional trainings are interspersed in regular teaching weeks.
Teaching and Presentations
Monday through Friday, Fellowship participants teach an average of 6 half-day
ecology, natural history, cultural history, challenge skills, and outdoor skills classes.
Each participant in the program also presents a one-hour "naturalist program" to
large groups usually in the evenings. Naturalists choose a topic from developed
slide shows, demonstrations, or character programs. They are designed to be
both engaging and informative for the audience as well as provide the Naturalist
with more in-depth knowledge of a natural/cultural history topic.
All staff also
work a rotation of evenings and weekends beyond the Monday through Friday
teaching schedule. |
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Liaisonships
Professional Naturalist Fellowship participants serve as a host or "liaison" for a variety of groups.
The liaison must prepare for the group's arrival, welcome them, lead a few activitiesor classes,
prepare for evening group activities, and serve as the primary Eagle Bluff representative.
The liaison also remains on emergency call throughout the nights when their group is in residence.
Professional Development
A series of seminars dealing with development as educators and naturalists is conducted
by Eagle Bluff year-round staff and others in the EE field. Staff seminars take place each
Friday afternoon. Other opportunities such as First Aid/CPR training, staff field trips, and
off-site workshops are also a focus.
Evaluations
Professional Naturalist Fellowship participants are formally evaluated throughout the course.
Feedback is positive and specific and includes a follow-up meeting with the evaluator.
Naturalists will also participate in a self-evaluation and a peer observations as part of the learning
process.
Compensation and Benefits
Professional Naturalist Fellowship participants live in a private wing of the dormitory. Bedrooms are private with a bathroom/suite shared with one other person. All 12 participants share a common living room, dining room, kitchen, and laundry. As additional compensation, meals are provided when visiting groups are in residence as are food staples for use in the staff kitchen.
Along with room and board; personal VoiceMail, Internet access, staff gear, and use of Eagle Bluff's extensive recreational equipment is offered. |
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In addition to room and board, participants receive a stipend for living expenses. From late August through early June, the stipend is $850/month.
Upon completion of the Fellowship, Naturalists will recieve a comprehensive portfolio summarizing their progress throughout the program. |
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