Naturalist Internship Program

                    Earn college credit while you teach students in the great outdoors!

The Glen Helen Outdoor Education Center is a private, non-profit residential environmental education center owned and operated by Antioch University. Our mission is to encourage children to develop a relationship with nature. We are searching for individuals who share our philosophy, and are excited to promote learning in a positive and energetic way. We offer two internship terms per year. The winter term runs from January-early June, and the fall term runs from August to mid December.

Why be a Naturalist Intern?

The Naturalist internship program at Glen Helen is unique. People who are interested in an introduction to outdoor environmental education or are interested in further developing skills in this area have a chance to gain first-hand experience as a Naturalist and receive college credit. Besides training Naturalists to lead weekly trail groups at the Outdoor Education Center, we strive to: 

•  Prepare Naturalists for positions as naturalists, interpreters, and educators.

•  Provide Naturalists with the opportunity to simultaneously be students and teachers.

•  Inform Naturalists and students about environmental issues so they can make better conscious decisions about the earth and its inhabitants.

•  Involve Naturalists in every aspect of residential life by living and working in a community setting.

•  Train three Naturalists chosen to stay on an additional term for an expanded experience.

•  Provide leadership in the field of outdoor and environmental education.

Requirements of the Naturalist Interns

All Naturalists must have a strong interest or background in natural science, be a responsible and supportive colleague, and enjoy working with elementary and middle aged students. Additionally:

•  Each prospective Naturalist must have completed at least one year of undergraduate work in any academic field at an accredited university.

•  Current First Aid and CPR certification is required prior to the start of the term.

•  Each Naturalist is responsible for all academic assignments to receive credit.

Training

Naturalist interns will participate in an intensive, three-week training program to introduce them to the Glen trails, and hike topics. Naturalists are given the tools and information needed to teach a variety of natural history and ecology hikes, and then given the freedom to develop his/her own teaching style throughout the program. Additional training takes place on most Mondays in natural history, outdoor teaching methodologies, exposure to career options, professional growth as Naturalists, and individual academic days. Staff and guest speakers will conduct training, with the possibility of field trips during the term. 

Schedule

The Naturalist internship is a fast-paced program aimed at providing you with a full spectrum of experience in outdoor environmental education. Naturalists should plan on long days and at least two evenings per week. Naturalists are free most weekends. 

Daily Teaching

Naturalist interns will plan and lead approximately seven 2 1/2 hour hikes, plus three one-hour activities each week. Educational sessions (hikes) for training and with the students consist of main themes such as forest ecology, geology, cooperative education, etc. Hikes occur mostly outdoors with some indoor activities. Each trail group will have a maximum of 13 students, primarily 4-6th graders, and will be led by the same Naturalist throughout the week. During the term, there may be opportunities to work with other age groups and children with diverse cultural backgrounds.

Evening Programs

Naturalists will be on-duty two evenings per week. One night will be an evening program presented to large groups of 50-100 students in cooperation with other Naturalists. Programs will be educational and recreational, consisting of such things as dramatics, astronomy, singing and games. The second evening is a night hike with your trail group.

 

Benefits

• Gain invaluable experience developing your own teaching style in a beautiful, outdoor setting

• Earn 10 graduate or 12 undergraduate credits through Antioch University – tuition waived

• Possible extension of internship as an executive intern at end of term review

• Opportunity to work with birds of prey at our Raptor Center

• $260/ month stipend

• $300 bonus upon completion of the program   

• Room and board, including vegetarian and vegan friendly meals during the week

• Opportunity to live and work in a wooded setting within walking distance to the eclectic town of Yellow Springs.

Application Process

Applications are accepted year round and are processed in the order they are received. To apply for an internship position, please send an application (Word/PDF), three references (Online/Word/PDF), and your most recent college transcript to:

Outdoor Education Center
c/o Assistant Director Rebecca Jaramillo
1075 State Route 343
Yellow Springs, Ohio 45387
Phone: (937) 767-7648
Fax: (937) 767-7665
Email: rjaramillo@antioch.edu