VolunteerNews
Getting ready for Sugar Bush 2012
“Tis winter now . . . but maple sugar season will come soon! At Merry Lea, we are in the midst of planning for the visit of hundreds of school children to the Yoder Sugar Bush.
Already the program days are fully scheduled, and Larry Yoder has begun the important background work of splitting wood and other preparation at the sugar bush farm. They will be splitting wood every Saturday between now and tapping season if you want to volunteer to help.
Volunteers are needed to help with teaching, program support, and production support to make the Sugar Bush program successful. A special training day is scheduled for Monday, February 13, 9 to 1 at the Yoder Farm. Lunch will be served We encourage all volunteers to attend.
- Read the 2012 letter for Sugar Bush volunteers (pdf)
- Read more about the 2012 Sugar Bush program (pdf) including a timeline and volunteer job descriptions
- Let us know when you are available to help out. Download this Sugar Bush volunteer scheduling form (pdf)
- Sign up to be on an email list to find out about pre season preparation work days at the sugar bush farm.
For more information, contact the volunteer coordinator, (260) 799-5869
Volunteer Certification Program
Merry Lea’s core values are Reverence, Christ Centered, Hope, Humble Stewardship and Integrity. To achieve those admirable values we must continue to educate ourselves on how to become better educators.
It is important that our volunteers and staff teachers are well informed on current issues, pedagogical debates, natural history and the processes and cycles that surround us.
Merry Lea is requesting that each volunteer participate in ONE class from each of FOUR overarching themes in a TWO-year period. The four themes are Science, Elective (Current Issues), Natural History (Biotic), and Science (Abiotic). A volunteer can participate in more than the required trainings. The more learning the better!
Here is a list of the upcoming training sessions. Please register ONE-week prior than the training. Call 260 799 5869.
- November 7, 2011 - ELECTIVE - The Cuyahoga River, Earth Day, and Merry Lea: Environmental Education History and Philosophy (Learning Center)
- December 5, 2011 - SCIENCE - How Ice Has Affected Us: Geology of Northern Indiana (Glacial Retreat Center)
- January 9, 2012 - ELECTIVE - The Original Hoosiers: Miami Native American History and Culture (Learning Center)
- March 5, 2012 - NATURAL HISTORY - How to tell a PeWee from a Fly Catcher: Merry Lea Bird Identification (Rieth Village)
- April 2, 2012- NATURAL HISTORY - We Have Salmon in our Watershed? Fish of Indiana (Luckey?s Landing)
- May 7, 2012 -TEACHING THEORY - We All Deserve Respect: Teaching people with a disability (Farmstead)
Check back here for future training sessions.
Merry Lea to hold Fall Volunteer Training Day
posted 8/18/09
In preparation for the fall environmental education season, Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center will conduct a volunteer training on Wednesday, September 9, from 9:00 to 2:30. All teaching/guide volunteers are encouraged to attend.
The schedule for the day is as follows:
9:00 Introductions and general orientation information
9:45
Autumn Adventures program orientation
11:30 Lunch
12:30 Farmcraft program orientation
2:30 Adjourn
We’ll meet at the Learning Center building for the morning activities; lunch will be served at the Farmstead Barn. The afternoon orientation will take place at the Farmstead. Directions to these locations are available here. Please contact Roberta Miller by September 4 to RSVP.
Volunteers will get a first look at the new Autumn Adventures curriculum that will be introduced for school groups this fall. It promises to be a fun program with great experiential activities.
The Volunteer Training Day is an excellent time for new volunteers to receive orientation to Merry Lea’s environmental education program. You can help make a school field trip to Merry Lea a memorable experience for the more than 2000 children who come every fall. Volunteer registration forms are available online. For more information about working with the program, please contact Roberta Miller.
Getting ready for Sugar Bush 2009
Posted 2/2009
“Tis winter now . . . but maple sugar season will come! At Merry Lea, we are in the midst of planning for the visit of hundreds of school children to the Yoder Sugar Bush.
Already the program days are fully scheduled, and Larry Yoder has begun the important background work of splitting wood and other preparation at the sugar bush farm. So it’s also time to get ready on the volunteer front.
Volunteers are needed to help with teaching, program support, and production support to make the Sugar Bush program successful. A special training day is scheduled for Monday, February 16, 9 to 1 at the Yoder Farm. Lunch will be served We encourage all volunteers to attend. Please RSVP to Roberta [email link] by February 6.
- Read more about the 2009 Sugar Bush program including a timeline and volunteer job descriptions
- Let us know when you are available to help out. Download this Sugar Bush volunteer scheduling form
- Sign up to be on an email list to find out about pre season preparation work days at the sugar bush farm.
For more information, contact the volunteer coordinator, (260) 799-5869
Farmcraft
Our volunteers have been helping elementary students from Northern Indiana learn about farming before electricity. This fall, volunteers will help teach about 2,000 students. Our programs would not be successful without our teaching volunteers. We are still in need of good volunteers who would be willing to help with this program!