Four Winds Nature Institute

FOUR WINDS) NATURE INSTITUTE As part of our 2012 Four Winds survey, we asked current and former volunteers to share their thoughts on their experience, their students' experiences, and the program's impact on their community. 434 We heard back from volunteers 100 from over past and current schools. Below is some of what we learned from our volunteers, and what we are working on to make the program even stronger. 16000- 1600 21 students volunteers years percent Are currently engaged The average Participate regularly in Nature Program workshops. Of volunteers are length of time a volunteer has completing their first year, while five percent have in schools in Vermont and neighboring states. been involved in the program. volunteered for more than ten years. WHO OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE Our 1600 volunteers range in age from their 20s to their 8os, and have everything from high school credits to graduate degrees 2% 21-29 19% 30-39 53% 40-49 18% 50-59 8% 60+ *Our volunteers typically have TWO kids under their roof 66 Every training session I learn new and exciting things to share with everyone I know with the adults I work with and the kids in the classroom. 99 WHAT OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE SAYING Our volunteers agree or strongly agree that Four Winds has... 92% 84% Increased their own and Increased their own their students' knowledge and their students of the natural world. interest and connection to the natural world. 91% 67% Improved the quality of life in their community Increased their involvement in school or community. (32% just werer't sure). FOUR AREAS WE WILL FOCUS ON TOGETHER THIS YEAR Volunteers power the program Can we expand this corps to bring the program to more children in inore schools. (ideas for: Teachers and principals want parental involvement and community connections to support student achievement. Time is a limited Technology can help us be more efficient resource and though we can't make more of it, let's figure out together how to do the most and effective. (ideas for: exploring how to use media and I.T. in new ways, how to use digital resources to compliment hands-on place-based learning) with what we have. (ideas for: scheduling training workshops, sharing workload, monthly classroom time, materials preparation) (ideas for: teacher extensions, science professional development, updating units to meet common recruitment and orientation of volunteers, partnering schools, building an alumni network) core and new standards) To keep in touch, join us on f Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Four-Winds-Nature-Institute/177535428540?fref=ts) or check us out at www.fwni.org