Volunteer

• Overview

Volunteer

Service learning and volunteering is an essential part of keeping our communities strong. The generous investment of volunteer time and talent of individuals, school groups and corporations is critical to Riverbend’s ability to successfully realize our mission. We are grateful for the simple willingness of so many who share their gifts and support our vision to be recognized as a model environmental learning resource for children and as a unique and significant destination.

Volunteers are integral to Riverbend's success. If you want to make a difference for children, the environment and your community we have an opportunity for you to help. Hours are flexible depending on availability. Find the volunteer opportunity that's right for you:

Positions Currently Available:

• Education
• Administrative Support
• Special Events
• Habitat and Facilities
• Animal Care Volunteer
• Marketing Intern
• Camp Junior Volunteer Program
• General Volunteer Form

 

 

 

Education

Impact a child's experience directly!

• Summer Camp
  Junior high students (13 years old and up) assist staff educators with our summer camp exploration program. Help with hands-on learning activities, nature crafts, hikes, games and more. Session runs from June to August.
• Year-Round Camp
  Junior high students (13 years old and up) assist staff instructors with our year-round camp program offered during school holidays. Help with hands-on learning activities, crafts, games, hikes and more on Presidents Day, Martin Luther King Day, as well as spring or winter break days.

 

Administrative Support

Help reduce our overhead costs!

• Data Entry
• Mailings
• Filing, copying and collating

Contact Jeanne at jangell@riverbendeec.org or call (610) 527-5234

 

Special Events

Help make fun memories!

Shiverfest (one day in late October):
You can contribute before, during and after the event:

• Set up decorations including carving pumpkins
• Be a "Creepy Critter" or "Ghoul"on the Haunted Trail
• Staff entrance tables to greet the public and collect contributions
• Face paint or lead nature crafts and games with children
• Assist at refreshment table
  
  

For more information, email events@riverbendeec.org or call 610.527.5234

Summer Solstice

• Set up decorations
• Staff entrance tables to greet the public and collect contributions
• Lead nature crafts and games with children
• Assist at Refreshment table
  
  

Contact Stacy at scarr@riverbendeec.org or call 610.527.5234

 

Habitat and Facilities

• Trail Clean-up and Maintenance
  Mow, weed and mulch trails to keep them safe for hiking.
• Garden Clean-up and Maintenance
  Weed and provide ongoing care for our butterfly garden, Lenape Village garden or various other gardens.
• Habitat Restoration
  Remove invasive plant material from trees, stone walls and other areas.
  

Contact Jeanne Angell at jangell@riverbendeec.org or call 610.527.5234

 

Animal Care Volunteer

Help in the upkeep of our live animal collection including reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates used for our programming. Volunteers are needed to come once per week to care for the animals and to clean their habitats. A creative person with experience in aquarium and terrarium keeping can also help to create displays and interpretive material.

Contact Stacy at scarr@riverbendeec.org or call 610.527.5234

 

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.

 

General Volunteer Form

Click here for the General Volunteer Form

 

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 2011 Camp Junior Volunteer Program 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 2012, hours are Monday-Friday 8:30-4:00.  Weeks must be scheduled prior to the start of the summer.

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.
Saturday, May 19th     9:00-1:00
Sunday, June 3rd          1:00-5:00
Friday, June 15th         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.

 

To find out more about any of our volunteering opportunities, or to sign up please contact Jeanne Angell 610-527-5234 ext. 110, or jangell@riverbendeec.org

 

 

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