Purpose
To enhance the young museum visitor’s understanding of our natural environment by assisting Virginia Living Museum staff in teaching nature education programs for children age Pre-K through grade 5.
Duties
- Arrive 15 min. prior to class time to meet with instructor/teacher
- Supervise children at drop-off site and pass out nametags
- Remain at meeting place and assist with late arrivals until all names are checked off or until 10 min. after class begins
- Help instructor supervise children on museum grounds, nature trails, etc. Make sure all doors, gates, and stanchions are closed properly behind the group
- Assist instructor and help students with crafts and snacks
- At end of class, collect nametags, help children gather belongings and help escort class upstairs for dismissal
- Assist instructor with clean-up of classroom after crafts and at the end of class
- Assist teacher in ensuring all children wash hands before and after touching an animal and snack time
- Other duties as requested by instructor
Procedures
- Wear volunteer uniform shirt or smock, and name tag
- Meet instructor/ teacher in classroom to get instructions for the class activities for the day
- If a snack is desired, bring it with you and eat it during children’s snack time
- Please be aware that since the shift is less than 4 hours, volunteers will not be able to take a break from the Classroom Shift.
Qualifications
- An enthusiastic, outgoing personality
- Ability to work with young children while maintaining and modeling the teacher’s classroom control
- Physical stamina to be active and on feet for several hours
- Interest in natural history, physical science and/or science in general
- Dependability and flexibility
Training
- New Volunteer Orientation
- Job specific training by Education Department
Supervisor
- Reports to Volunteer Services – supervised by Instructors as designated by the Education Director
Please submit a volunteer application application to the Volunteer Services Office.
