Forest School Mentor - Kickapoo Valley Forest School

FOUNDED IN: 2009

Address: 789 Myrick Park Dr. LaCrosse, Wisconsin 54601

Actively Recruiting: Yes

Position title: Forest School Mentor - Kickapoo Valley Forest School

Final date to receive applications:

Type of Position: Intern / Individual Placement

Town, City, Park, etc: La Farge

State / Territory: Wisconsin

Benefits: Education Award, Housing Stipend/Assistance

Project/Program Focus: Education/Interpretation

Primary Focus: Our primary focus is to engage young adults through hands‑on service opportunities in environmental stewardship, accomplished through partnerships with land management agencies and environmental education organizations across Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest.

Service Time: September 1, 2026 – May 28, 2027 (1,200 hours total, 39 weeks, 35 hours per week)

Benefits: Living stipend total for the whole term = $16,500 ($423.08 per week). An additional housing stipend of $4,875 total for the whole term ($125 per week) will also be provided. An Ameri Corps Education Award of approximately $5,176 will be awarded upon successful completion of service.

OVERVIEW: The Kickapoo Valley Forest and Field Schools (KVFS) strive to create a child-centered, safe, inclusive, and sensory-rich environment in which children will learn and grow through play and exploration in the beautiful and abundant natural environment that surrounds our community. Our education philosophy is rooted in the belief that child development is at its best when the whole child is honored, and that ‘play’ in a rich environment is the true work of the child.

We also recognize that children are individuals whose interests, capacities and gifts demand that our teaching style and environment be accessible from many different points and levels of ability. Additionally, as humans we thrive in environments full of love, inspiration, wonder, connection and beauty.

SERVICE

DESCRIPTION:

The Kickapoo Valley Forest School (KVFS) place-based curriculum is based on the experiences that the students encounter throughout the seasons. Enthusiasm and willingness to explore and learn along with the students is a quality we seek in the Forest School Mentor. The Forest School Mentor will work alongside dedicated teachers to help provide a safe and welcoming learning environment for our youngest learners.

The Kickapoo Valley Forest School Mentor will work with the school daily during the school year.

RESPONSBILITIES:

• Oversee, guide and engage with students as they explore nature both individually and in small groups.
• Observe children as they play and engage in nature, listening to and learning about children through this play.
• Co-create and facilitate nature themed small group lessons, games and art projects.
• Support place-based curriculum led by teachers.
• Provide thoughtful, conscious supervision for students while outside in a variety of settings.
• Help facilitate student work time where students choose from a variety of activities on an individual basis.
• Facilitate and tend to children’s needs while hiking for long distances.
• Help children maintain and put on outdoor clothing and gear.
• Remain outdoors for extended periods of time, in all weather conditions, and while traversing rugged terrain.
• Show enthusiasm for being outside in all weather conditions and for the natural world.
• Model appropriate outdoor clothing choices.
• Participate in a high-energy and rigorous outdoor learning environment.
• Model age-appropriate play and language.
• Be a model for wondering at and respecting the natural world, helping children to do the same.
• Attend family events outside of school hours.