Outdoor Classroom Guide Training

Volunteers interested in teaching children about nature and conserving natural resources are invited to attend the Outdoor Classroom Guide Training meeting from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 5, at the Cibolo Nature Center auditorium.

 

Volunteers will help staff the Cibolo Nature Center’s award-winning Outdoor Classroom program as Trail Guides this spring, leading children in fun, educational activities designed to teach them about the natural world and conserving natural resources.

 

The meeting, which includes breakfast, is an introduction to the program for prospective volunteers and will demonstrate the new Volgistics program that makes signing up for Outdoor Classroom assignments easier for volunteers.  No formal teaching experience is necessary – simply an appreciation for nature and children.

The Cibolo Nature Center’s Outdoor Classroom is a nationally recognized program that serves schools in the public and private sectors, as well as home-school groups. Curriculum for grades K-8 emphasizes conservation of natural resources, addresses scientific concepts and is fully aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards. In addition to science, the curriculum integrates math, reading, writing and social studies. All are taught through a variety of hands-on activities that appeal to a wide range of learning styles.

 

The Outdoor Classroom is made possible through the dedication of volunteer Trail Guides who are trained in the curriculum by certified science teachers. New guides will shadow veteran guides in the delivery of the curriculum until they feel comfortable leading activities. For each group of 40-60 students, there are four Trail Guides who lead four different activities that teach the selected curriculum topic. The 30-minute activities are divided into four consecutive rotations to help focus the children's attention and energy on their outdoor learning experience.

 

Register here.