Volunteer

• Overview

Volunteer

We Value our Volunteers

We rely on volunteers from our community to fulfill our mission: Growing Greener Children. Each year, we have over 400 volunteers donate their time to help us offer a wide variety of programs for children and families, and manage the stewardship of our 30-acre property.  With a small staff and a tight budget, your generosity by volunteering your time and talent helps us keep Riverbend financially sustainable in a difficult economy.  We are always looking for volunteers who share our interest in caring for the environment and exposing children to the wonders of nature. Together, we can make a difference.

Benefits of Volunteering

We always strive to provide our volunteers with a fun and fulfilling experience. Your volunteer interview will help the volunteer coordinator match you with the best opportunity based on our needs and your interests.  There are many benefits to volunteering at Riverbend, including:

• An opportunity to make a valuable contribution to Riverbend and support the cause of environmental protection
• A way to connect with and provide service to your community
• A chance to share your skills with others
• An opportunity to expand your knowledge and learn new skills
• A chance to make new friends and develop professional contacts
• Accrue community service hours required by your school or college
• Receive a Riverbend hat after 25 hours of service
• Receive Family/Individual Plus Membership after 75 hours of satisfactory service
• Having fun!

 

Ongoing Volunteer Positions

We welcome many kinds of volunteers, but the ones who can come weekly make a huge difference in our operations.  Keep in mind that Riverbend is not generally open on the weekends, so we are primarily looking for volunteers who can work during weekdays before 5 pm.  We are also not accessible by public transportation.

For full descriptions of our volunteer positions, see our Volunteer Manual.

-  Habitat Maintenance (weeding, raking, mulching, watering, planting, etc.)
-  Facilities Maintenance
-  Educator/Naturalist
-  Administrative
-  Marketing
-  Summer Camp
-  Animal Care

One-Day or Short-Term Opportunities

Various one-day and short-term volunteer opportunities are available at Riverbend, such as: 

• We welcome corporate and school groups who want to organize a day of service at Riverbend
• Participating in occasional weekend service days to assist with habitat maintenance (weeding, mulching gardens and trails, removal of invasive species and tree planting), scheduled a few times a year
• Assisting with Shiverfest, a Halloween-themed family event held in mid-October which requires over 100 volunteers.  We need volunteers to help with set-up, parking, check-in, pumpkin decorating, face painting, moon bounce, etc.
• Helping out at other weekend events, such as Summer Solstice Night, Family Camping Nights, etc.
• Short-term volunteer opportunities are often available for college or high school students on break.  Assignments might include habitat work, helping out at our Year-round Camp Days, or administrative projects.
• Assisting with a special mailing

 

Skill-Based Volunteer Opportunities

We need talented adult volunteers to serve as board members or to serve on ongoing committees (finance, development, property, nominating). 

We also need skilled volunteers to work on specific projects, such as:

• Helping to install a new garden or "adopt" a current one
• Make repairs to our facilities

• Serving on the planning committee for Shiverfest
• Helping to write one or more grant proposals
• Writing an article for our newsletter
• Serving as a consultant in your area of professional expertise

 

Teen Summer Volunteer Program

Do you want to help the environment and learn about working at a nature center?  During the summer we organize a volunteer day once a week for students aged 13 and up.  Come work on our 30-acre property with other like-minded kids.  We'll be doing a variety of projects:  planting, weeding & mulching, clearing trails, cleaning the barn, cutting invasive vines, watering the saplings in our reforestation area, assisting with our new meadow project, feeding the animals, etc.

 

VOLUNTEER APPLICATION PROCESS

Prospective volunteers will need to complete several steps before working at Riverbend.

• If you are interested in volunteering at Riverbend, please complete and send our Volunteer Interest Form to Jeanne Angell, our Volunteer Coordinator, at jangell@riverbendeec.org.
• After filling out our Volunteer Interest Form, our Volunteer Coordinator will review your availability and send you a full Volunteer Application to fill out and return. 
• If after reviewing your application, it appears that your interests and skills are a good match with Riverbend's needs, the Volunteer Coordinator will set up an informal interview.  At that time, we'll have a chance to get to know you better and discuss possible volunteer assignments.  You'll be given a tour of Riverbend, be introduced to some of our staff members, and have a chance to ask questions.  In preparation for your interview, please read our Volunteer Manual.
• After your interview, the Volunteer Coordinator will run a Criminal Background Check and Child Abuse Clearance, and call your references before you are formally accepted as a volunteer at Riverbend. 
• The Volunteer Coordinator will contact you to let you know whether you have been selected as a volunteer and set up your first volunteer shift. 
• Before you begin working as a volunteer, we will need you to complete our Emergency Contact & Waiver Form (signed by your parent if you are under the age of 18).
• On your first day as a volunteer, the Volunteer Coordinator or your supervisor will conduct an orientation/training session, and confirm your work schedule.

 

 

Summer Camp Junior Volunteer Program

Qualifications: Teens, 14 years old and older, who wish to assist Riverbend's summer camp program and have a positive impact on the lives and education of younger children.  Teens who are interested will complete an application and interview process in order to be accepted into the program.  The application includes a written portion and must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation.  Space in the program is limited, so applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Camp Junior Volunteer Program Application Form

Teens who participated in the Camp Junior Volunteer Program previously do NOT have to complete the application or the interview process. However, we do require that you attend the training as a refresher. Contact Stacy Carr-Poole to sign up.

Requirements: 
Teens who are accepted into the program must complete the following requirements:

• Four hours of training:  (1) Four hour session
• Commitment to volunteer for three full weeks (weeks need not be consecutive) during the summer of 2013, hours are Monday-Friday 8:30-4:00.  Weeks must be scheduled prior to the start of the summer.  Weeks fill up quickly so sign-up for your dates early.

Duties:
Camp Junior Volunteers perform a vital role in Riverbend's summer camp program.  Duties include:

• Assisting camp staff with assigned tasks that help with the general management of educational groups, primarily for children 4-6 years of age.
• Providing a role model for the younger children on the appropriate ways to behave at camp and how to successfully explore the natural world.
• Assist with the leading of Circle Time, Activity Day and the All Camp Activity.
• Assist with the clean-up of education spaces, including picnic areas, outdoor classroom, supply room and others.

 

Training Agenda:

• Introduction to Riverbend and Summer Camp
• Exploring Leadership and Teambuilding
• Working with Children 101:  Tips and Tricks
• What would you do if?:  Does and Don'ts
• A Day in the Life of a Camp Junior Volunteer
• Where can I find it?
• Being a Role Model:  Games, Crafts, Songs and More
• Modeling Behaviors
• Questions and Concerns?

 

Training Dates:
Note: All volunteers, new and returning, must attend one of the following trainings.
Sunday, May 19th  1:00-5:00
Saturday, June 1st 9:00-1:00

Camp Junior Volunteer Program Application Form
Contact Stacy Carr-Poole at scarr@riverbendeec.org or call 610.527.5234 ext. 108.

 

INTERNSHIPS

College Internships

Qualified college students or interested adults who are able to commit at least 100 hours (for example, 20 hours/week for five weeks, or 10 hours/week for ten weeks) can apply for a supervised internship.  Internships offer more intensive training and mentoring, a chance to work more closely with our staff members, learn how Riverbend operates at a deeper level, and the opportunity to work on an independent project.  Tasks will be balanced between learning opportunities for you and service to Riverbend.  For the most part, our internships are unpaid, although we do offer a modest stipend for our Summer Habitat Intern. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator for more information if you are interested in our internship program. 

 

Summer Internship in Habitat Management - Paid

Riverbend Environmental Education Center is accepting applications for a 2013 Summer Intern to assist with the stewardship of our 30 acre nature preserve.  The Habitat Management Intern, under the supervision of the Volunteer Coordinator, will take primary responsibility for maintaining the Alex Williamson Bird Observation Area, featuring 118 native plant species, bird feeders, and a pond.  The intern will also help maintain our trails, gardens, ponds, and woodland areas, assist with our reforestation project where saplings have been planted over the past few years, and help with a new meadow diversification project. Primary tasks will include planting trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, watering, weeding, mulching, pond maintenance, clearing trails of fallen branches and other debris, and the removal of invasive species. Interns may also help with minor repairs and general maintenance of the barn, outdoor classroom, deer fence, and parking lot area.

The Volunteer Coordinator will work with the intern to develop management skills.  Management tasks will include working with individual volunteers, helping to manage volunteer groups, assisting with garden design and plant selection, participating in staff meetings, and other administrative projects.

The Habitat Intern will work 10 weeks for 20/hours week, and will receive a stipend of $100/week.  Work weeks, days and hours are flexible and will be determined by the Intern and the Volunteer Coordinator.  College credit can be arranged by the intern and his/her college, if desired.

Requirements:

• College student or recent graduate over the age of 18
• Experience with and/or interest in gardening
• Interest in biology, ecology, botany, environmental studies, or landscape architecture
• Ability to work independently and in groups
• Physically strong and able to work outdoors in hot weather and on a hilly terrain

Riverbend is located in the western suburbs of Philadelphia.  We are not accessible to public transportation, so interns would need access to a car.  Interested students should contact Jeanne Angell, volunteer coordinator at jangell@riverbendeec.org or 610-527-5234 x110 for an application.  Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

 

Marketing Intern – Available immediately

Riverbend Environmental Education Center, located in Gladwyne, PA, seeks to hire a marketing intern to help with marketing, PR and development related tasks. Key responsibilities include:

• Participation in the evaluation of marketing and development plans
• Participation in the evaluation of marketing and PR print materials
• Monthly website updates
• Creation of monthly E-newsletter
• Manage social networking initiatives (Facebook, Twitter)
• Support fundraising initiatives
• Take photographs of children participating in educational programs
• Increase presence on the internet through links on websites with similar missions, goals, and values
• Manage and maintain consistent supplies of printed communications
• Update PR contact list and help with press releases

 
This position requires:

• Excellent communication skills
• Strength in organization
• Creativity
• Solid writing skills
• Ability to work well with others

Sophomore, Junior or Senior Marketing, Communications, or English majors can apply. We seek a commitment on average of 8-10 hours per week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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