The annual NOFA Vermont Children’s Conference, an event that parallels the NOFA-VT annual winter conference, taking place this year February 15 and 16 at the UVM campus, is seeking group leaders. This two-day conference offers children the opportunity to connect to their community, become involved in the Vermont food-scene, and explore the wonders of farming and gardening, seeds and soils, composting and cooking, animals, and much, much more!
A total of 6 “captains” to lead groups of 10-12 kids over the two days of the conference is needed. Your main responsibility will be to support and lead kids as they shuffle between activities throughout the day at UVM (including on-campus field trips). You will be their “go-to” person within their specific age groups.
Activities planned are fun and environmentally related (bike-powered smoothie blending, worm-bin composting, art, music, working with wool, etc.). You will be responsible for the kids (ages 6-12, and grouped by age), but not the activities (there are other educators coming in to lead those). Captains are to be present at all workshop sessions to support presenters, aid in transitions, and provide meaningful educational connections with the presented material. Captains should be able to think on their feet and have a “bag of tricks” ready for use at any given downtime. This is a great opportunity for anyone who loves hanging out with kids, those who enjoy experiential education, environmental studies majors, and/or those involved in elementary ed programs.
It’s a long day (7:30 am – 5:30 pm), and in exchange a complementary 1-day registration and lunch at the NOFA VT Conference on the day you aren’t leading a group is offered (lunch will also be provided during the day you are scheduled to be a captain), as well as a NOFA Vermont membership.
Contact laurenlenz@gmail.com if you are interested. This is a great opportunity to get involved in the Vermont food/agriculture scene and gain additional experience working with kids (not to mention free admission to the conference itself)!