Position

“Assistants in training” are students age 12-14 who are ready to help others walk with Biocitizen. They want to enjoy the fun of Field Environmental Philosophy like they always have, but also want to learn how to share their love of the creatures, places and stories of our Nonotuck biome.

An AIT will assist the teaching staff for one week of Our Place Summerschool (5 6-hour days).

Much of AIT’s work will involve serving the extra needs of teachers while they are occupied with group activities; for example, by ensuring all students have seat belts on, are being sensitive and considerate to others, have applied sunscreen and bugspray, are fully nourished and hydrated, etc.

AITs will be called upon to do fun things: sharing the stories of the natural and cultural history of the places we explore, leading walks under the direction of staff, and teaching identification of flora, fauna, geology, and weather patterns.

With their first aid training, desire to serve others, and high level of awareness in the field, AITs serve as critical back up for staff in maintaining safety and high spirits during our explorations.

Biocitizen’s AIT program inculcates environmental -teaching and -leadership skills.

Requirements

—AITs are students who have attended at least three Our Place sessions during two or more years.

—AITs like environmental philosophy field studies so much they want to go to the next level, and help to execute Our Place’s action-based biocultural history curricula.

—AITs must be Red Cross Pediatric and Adult 1st Aid certified.

—When logistically possible, AITs receive 1 day of on-the-job training in a class that occurs before the one they are AIT-ing. Training will include: camp and campers management, biocultural history, and the practice and art of teaching in the field.