Help Children Discover the Wonder of the Outdoors
Spend a year helping young children learn, explore, and grow through nature.
As a Nature Preschool Residential Volunteer, you’ll work alongside experienced educators in Ferncliff Nature School, supporting outdoor learning experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, confidence, and a lifelong connection to the natural world.
More than a volunteer position, this is an opportunity to become part of a community while gaining hands-on experience in nature-based early childhood education. You’ll live on-site at Ferncliff, serve alongside passionate mentors, and help create meaningful experiences for children every day.
Whether you’re taking a gap year, exploring a career in education, interested in outdoor learning, or looking for a meaningful year of service, this position offers the opportunity to grow professionally while making a lasting impact.
What You’ll Experience
As a Nature Preschool Residential Volunteer, you’ll assist teachers in creating engaging outdoor learning experiences for preschool-aged children while becoming part of the Ferncliff community.
Your work may include:
- Supporting daily outdoor exploration and play
- Assisting teachers with nature-based lessons and activities
- Building relationships with children and families
- Helping prepare learning environments and materials
- Supporting before- and after-care programming
- Assisting with WILDCraft homeschool programming
- Helping care for classrooms and outdoor learning spaces
- Participating in professional development throughout the year
Every day looks a little different, but each one is rooted in helping children build confidence, curiosity, resilience, and a love of the outdoors.
Why Ferncliff?
Ferncliff Nature School believes children learn best through meaningful experiences in nature. As part of the Residential Volunteer Program, you’ll gain practical experience in nature-based education while becoming part of a community committed to caring for Creation, serving others, and supporting one another.
Volunteers receive:
- On-site housing
- Living stipend and food allowance
- Mentorship from experienced educators
- Professional development opportunities
- First Aid/CPR/AED certification
- A year of meaningful service in one of Arkansas’s leading nature-based education programs
Who Should Apply?
We’re looking for people who enjoy working with young children, appreciate spending time outdoors in every season, and are eager to learn.
Experience in education or childcare is helpful, but curiosity, flexibility, compassion, and a willingness to grow are just as important.
If you’re excited about helping children connect with nature while becoming part of a welcoming community, we’d love to hear from you.
Continue below for the complete position description, qualifications, and application information.
Complete Interest Form
Nature Preschool Residential Volunteer Position Description
General Responsibility: Responsible for assisting Nature School staff in developing and implementing developmentally appropriate preschool and elementary programming in line with the program’s outdoor mission
Specific Responsibilities:
- Assists staff in developing age appropriate curriculum and materials that align with the nature school mission and nurtures the individual growth of all children in the program
- Assists staff in preparing a developmentally appropriate classroom/outdoor environment that encourages learning and growth
- Builds rapport with children and families
- Assists staff in meeting quality and curriculum standards set by the state
- Attends all necessary staff meetings and maintains 15 clock hours of PDR approved professional development on and off site each year
- Attends and helps prepare for all parental involvement activities
- Helps maintain facility and outdoor environments for safety and well-being of students
- Assists all staff in implementation of scheduled plan and activities
- Assists with coverage in before care/after care
- Assist WILDCraft program leads with implementing 1 day a week programming
- Stays up to date on current trends and research in early childhood and nature based education
- Attends PD opportunities that take place throughout the commitment year
Relationships and Accountability
- Directly accountable to the Nature School Lead Teachers and Director
- Attend all staff meetings
Qualifications
- 1-2 years’ experience with young children
- Participates in an active outdoor lifestyle or has experience in outdoor education
- Willingness to understand and commit to the nature preschool model and alternative education
- Demonstrates ability to work as part of a team
- Must have strong written and verbal communication skills
- Must be willing to work flexible hours in order to meet the needs of the program
Physical Capabilities
- Must be able to lift 40lbs
- Be able to walk, squat/kneel, sit on floor, see, hear, speak with children to ensure children’s health and safety
- Must be able to be in the outdoor environment for the majority of the day in all weather
