image description Education & Camps

 

Junior Educator Volunteers

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 The Education and Volunteer Departments are very excited to launch the third year of the Junior Educators program for summer 2013. We are looking for responsible students, ages 15 and 16, who are interested in volunteering for the AquaCamps summer program and with our daily visitors by sharing information at our touch tanks and interactive carts. Experience with children ages 3 to 9 and public speaking is a plus, but isn't required. Junior Educators will commit to six onsite training days and two volunteer days per week during the summer. To apply for the program, please complete the application attached to this description and return to The Florida Aquarium by January 1, 2013. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and a candidate list will be determined. Those students on the candidate list will be invited in for a short interview before final selections are made. The training portion of the program will commence in early March. The tentative training dates are: March 2 (9am-3pm), April 3 (6-9pm), April 20 (9 am-3pm), May 8 (6-9pm), May 22 (6- 9pm) and June 1 (9am-3pm), June 19 (6-9pm). The application period is now closed. Please check back next Fall.

 

Junior Educator Volunteer Description

 

The program is designed to give each participant an overview of the Education Department at The Florida Aquarium. Participants will learn:

  • Marine science content
  • How to deliver or interpret information for guests
  • How to deliver extraordinary customer service to our guests and campers
  • How to work with children ages 3 to 9 in a camp setting
  • How to handle animals for presentations to Aquarium guests and children. (Subject to discretion of the program supervisor)

Each participant will commit to a minimum of two days of service per week for 10 weeks over the summer. (Accommodations can be made for vacations or prior commitments within reason and with ample notice).

 

On one day of the two-day/week summer commitment, each participant will work with the camp program and be assigned to work with AquaTots (3-4 year olds), AquaKids (5-6 year olds), grade K-1 campers or grade 2-3 campers. On one day of the two-day/week summer commitment, each participant will work on the exhibit pathway with our Exhibit Educators at interpretive carts sharing artifacts with guests and at our touch tanks.

 

The program is designed to fit the individual's capabilities. Those showing interest and have an aptitude based on an assessment from the program supervisor may opt to learn to care for and handle our animals for camp and for general public presentations.