Please fill out the application below if you are interested in volunteering as a school program docent for Audubon Canyon Ranch. We are hosting a new volunteer training throughout the 2024-2025 school year. We require a series of 5 trainings in addition to some required time in the field with students. Once you have submitted your application our team will reach out to you to discuss the role and answer your questions.
This training will prepare you to volunteer as a docent at both Martin Griffin Preserve in Stinson Beach and Bouverie Preserve in Glen Ellen. You will have the opportunity to choose where you would like to volunteer.
About School Programs:
We run environmental fieldtrips for school classes at two of our preserves. We have two hiking seasons, fall (mid-September through mid-November) and spring (March through mid-May). Each docent leads a group of 4 to 6 children, accompanied by a chaperone from the school, on a 3-to-4 hour hike. During that time the docent has a menu of lesson options and the flexibility to follow the interests of the children. The docent is responsible for the safety of the children during the field trip.
Our Educational Theory:
Students engage directly with nature; think like a scientist; learn through discussions; experience instructions based on how people learn (learning cycle, culturally responsive teaching practices); share and make connections to their lived experiences and cultural identities; use skills of observation and curiosity to figure things out and reflect on those skills. Our educational theory is based on the BEETLES project and their theory of teaching and learning. Explore more here, including sample lessons: https://beetlesproject.org/resources/for-field-instructors/
Requirements:
CPR - we run CPR courses twice a year and have scholarships available.
Fingerprinting - required by law but the cost is covered by Audubon Canyon Ranch
Field Time with Students - We will require participants to shadow field trips in the fall and partner teach on field trips in the spring
Required Training Dates:
Thursday September 12 (Bouverie Preserve, Glen Ellen)
Saturday September 14 (Martin Griffin Preserve, Stinson Beach)
Thursday November 7th (Bouverie Preserve, Glen Ellen)
Thursday March 27 (Bouverie Preserve, Glen Ellen)
Friday May 2 to Saturday May 3 - overnight options available, but not required (Martin Griffin Preserve, Stinson Beach).
Cost: School Program docent training at Audubon Canyon Ranch is free, we just require a commitment to lead at least 2 hikes a season to remain an active volunteer. We hope volunteers are interested in hiking more than twice a season!
Optional events:
Q&A session on Zoom: Thursday, August 29, 10am.
Saturday, December 7 - quarterly education volunteer gathering at Martin Griffin Preserve
California Naturalist: We are hosting an optional California Naturalist Certification course for those interested in deepening their knowledge of local natural history and ecology. This 10-week course includes both in person field days and online classes. This course is fee-based, but scholarships are available.
