Eden Place Nature Center - Leaders in Training

Eden Place Nature Center - An Urban Oasis

Leaders in Training

Leaders in Training (LIT) is a summer apprenticeship and free enrichment program for local teens. It takes place at Eden Place Nature Center with support from the U.S. Forest Service International Programs, Bank of America, and Building Bridges to the Outdoors, a joint project of the Sierra Club and The Sierra Club Foundation. This will be the second year of the LIT program and the eight-week program will begin on July 7th, 2010. Click here to download an application and description of the 2010 LIT program, or read below for more details.

Interested youth and at least one parent or guardian MUST attend one of our Information Sessions at Eden Place Nature Center. The final two information sessions are scheduled for Saturday, April 17th, from 1-2pm and Saturday, May 1st, from 1-2pm. Call Tiffany with questions or to RSVP at (773) 624-8686.

Program Overview

The Leaders in Training program features the following areas of focus:

Outdoor Adventurers

Participants learn about and engage in nature recreation activities (such as camping, hiking, and fishing) and community service projects related to nature conservation in the Fuller Park neighborhood. The program cultivates environmental stewardship, an appreciation for nature, and a willingness to give back to the community through nature-based service projects. In particular, we focus on preserving habitat for and providing education about the monarch butterfly because Eden Place is the official Illinois location of the international MonarchLIVE program. This year's program will also feature three camping trips: an overnight trip to Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Wilmington, IL; a two-night camping trip to the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, IL; and a four-night camping trip to Starved Rock State Park, IL.

Urban Eden Farm Apprenticeship

Participants learn about urban agriculture, horticulture, organic gardening, and entrepreneurship as they engage in hands-on work at Urban Eden Farm, the urban agriculture program hosted by Eden Place Nature Center. The Leaders in Training will gain skills in leadership, interacting with the public, managing funds, developing a business plan, and more as they help grow organic produce and sell the produce at the Eden Place Farmers Market every Saturday.

Green Career Training

Through field trips and interactions with guest speakers, participants learn about career opportunities in fields related to environmental work such as green energy, forest stewardship, nature conservation, scientific research, agriculture, and more. The summer training program is meant to spark the interest and provide a foundation for youth to consider careers in environmental fields, and the Leaders in Training will interact with professionals and practitioners ready to share their expertise.

Logistics

Leaders in Training is an eight-week program beginning on Wednesday, July 7, 2010. The details are as follows:

Six-Week Apprenticeship: July 7th - August 14th, Wednesday through Saturday, 9am – 2pm. Activities during the apprenticeship will include on-site training, visits from guest speakers, off-site field trips, hands-on work at Urban Eden Farm, team building activities with other visiting youth groups, community garden service days, harvesting produce, and volunteering at the Eden Place Saturday Farmers Markets.

Camping Trip in Springfield for the Illinois State Fair: Wednesday, August 18th through Friday, August 20th. The trip will feature camping outdoors, a visit to the special exhibits at the State Fair and a tour of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Building.

Camping Trip in Starved Rock, IL: Wednesday, August 25th through Sunday, August 29th. This trip will feature outdoor camping, cooking, hiking, bird watching, tracking, and orienteering, and may include rafting or canoeing.

Transportation will depart from and return to Eden Place Nature Center for all off-site trips, and adult chaperones (Eden Place staff and certified volunteers) will accompany the youth on all trips.

Eligibility

The program will accommodate up to 15 new Leaders in Training participants. The ideal candidate for the program has an interest in learning about the environment, enjoys working outdoors, is motivated to engage in community service, and is ready to work hard in a team setting. We will consider youth applicants completing grades 6-12 in the 2009-2010 school year, with special consideration for youth living in Fuller Park, Bronzeville, Canaryville, Englewood, and other surrounding neighborhoods. Youth must be able to provide their own transportation to and from Eden Place Nature Center.

Benefits

Leaders in Training is a FREE intensive apprenticeship and enrichment program that provides youth participants with educational resources, hands-on learning experiences, opportunities for meaningful social interactions with other youth, and positive adult mentorship. Participants will be invited to go on a range of off-site field trips and three extended camping trips. Food, lodging, supplies, transportation, and fees for each of these trips will be provided for all program participants. In addition, participants will receive a small stipend (between $50 - $150) for their work as Farm Apprentices. Participants will have the option to apply this stipend toward the purchase of a bus pass or to cover other transportation costs.

Expectations of Participants

All Leaders in Training participants will be expected to uphold high standards of behavior as role models for other youth and as representatives of Eden Place Nature Center. Each participant will be expected to participate in all activities with a positive attitude and a willingness to work together as a team. Attendance for every day of the program is required. The participant or an adult guardian must call in any absence more than 24 hours in advance in order to be excused. After three absences, the participant will be asked to leave the program.

How To Apply

We recommend that interested youth and their families attend one of the Information Sessions being hosted at Eden Place Nature Center (entrance at 43 Place and Shields) on Tuesday, March 16 or Thursday, March 18. Both sessions begin at 7pm. RSVP is requested at (773) 624-8686. Applicants should then complete the Leaders in Training Application and submit it to Education Coordinator Tiffany Chan by one of the following methods:

Email: tiffany@edenplacenaturecenter.com

Fax: (773) 624-9603

Mail: Tiffany Chan Eden Place Nature Center 4417 S. Stewart Chicago, IL 60609

Qualifying applicants will be contacted by phone to set up an in-person interview. The deadline to apply for the program is May 1, 2010. However, we recommend submitting your application as soon as possible because space in the program is limited and participants will be admitted on a rolling basis.

Funding provided by: