Four Winds Nature Program Volunteer Opportunity at the Village School

Posted 9/8/23

For 30+ years, NBGS and Village School students have had the opportunity to be actively involved in the Four Winds Nature Institute’s Nature Program (previously the ELF program), thanks to the volunteer efforts of parents and community members. 

For the 2023-24 school year, we are in need of one more volunteer for either 5th or 3rd grade (your choice).  Although the program means a great deal to the school and children, the time commitment for volunteers is minimal while the rewards are plenty, and no previous experience is necessary! 

The Nature Institute provides us with 5 two-hour natural science training workshops for the volunteers over the course of the school year. Volunteers then go into the classroom, schoolyard and/or Hiland Hall Gardens to share what they’ve learned that month.  The classroom schedule is determined by the volunteer and the teacher, and is generally flexible.  Time in the classroom varies by teacher but it’s normally no longer than 1 hour.  

This year’s training sessions take place from 10:30 – 12:30 at the Lake Paran indoor pavilion, as follows and then when the volunteer gets into the classroom to the present these lessons is up to the teacher and volunteer. Most years, time in the classroom often runs through to early June.

9/26   All Sorts of Insects

11/7 Conifer Clues

1/2 Snowflakes 

2/27   Track Detectives

4/30  Feathering the Nest

We encourage all volunteers to attend each of the 5 training sessions but if someone is  unable to make one due to illness or schedule conflict, our VSNB Four Winds coordinator will do a “make up” session with that volunteer.

The training sessions are fun and as the saying goes, “to teach is to learn”.  So, if you or someone you know is interested in joining the Four Winds Volunteer Team this year would like more information, please contact Judie Brower, our Four Winds Volunteer co-coordinator at jbrower@vsnb.org. 

For more information about the non-profit Four Winds Nature Institute based in Chittenden, VT, go to www.fwni.org.

Mission

Children are at the heart of all we do. We nurture a child's curiosity, ignite enthusiasm for exploring, develop tools for inquiry, for invention, for achievement. We welcome families into a community-wide collaboration to help our children grow into their best selves - responsible citizens and stewards of the greater world, makers of the future.