Forest Days Leader

About Forest Days

Forest Days is a nature-based learning program that provides young children with regular, immersive outdoor experiences that support curiosity, resilience, social-emotional growth, and environmental stewardship. The program partners with educators and school communities to create meaningful, child-led exploration in natural settings.

• Coordinate all components of the Forest Days program to ensure smooth daily operations.
• Supervise and support Forest Days Assistant Teacher(s), including delegation of responsibilities, feedback, and ongoing guidance.
• Oversee volunteers and interns, ensuring they are effectively integrated into program activities.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and mission-aligned team culture.
• Encourage increasing independence and confidence among school-based educators in outdoor learning practices.

• Serve as the primary liaison between partner schools and the Forest Days program.
• Maintain clear, consistent communication with principals, teachers, paraprofessionals, and school staff.
• Act as the main point of contact for volunteers, interns, and school personnel regarding program logistics and expectations.
• Collaborate with the Program Developer and Department of Early Childhood to align activities with curriculum priorities (e.g., Focus on PreK).
• Share program updates, documentation, and logistical information with families, including photo permissions and program communication.

• Plan, schedule, and lead trainings and orientations for teachers, paraprofessionals, and school staff.
• Develop and distribute orientation materials, reference guides, and ongoing support resources.
• Oversee onboarding for volunteers and interns, including:
• Communicating expectations and program procedures
• Conducting site walk-throughs
• Providing logistical guidance and support
• Serving as a point of contact for questions and troubleshooting

• Coordinate Forest Days scheduling with school staff and administrators.
• Prepare and distribute teacher packets and program materials.
• Manage supply inventory, including wagons, activity materials, storage bins, and children’s outdoor gear (outerwear, boots, etc.).
• Ensure all materials are prepared, organized, and accessible for daily program use.
• Maintain systems and documentation that support program continuity and future implementation.
• Ensure adherence to site-specific rules and guidelines (e.g., Arnold Arboretum policies).

• Facilitate and support child-led play, exploration, and inquiry in natural environments.
• Create safe, engaging outdoor learning experiences that promote curiosity, problem-solving, and connection to nature.
• Support children’s social-emotional development through responsive guidance and relationship-building.
• Partner with classroom teachers to support children’s health, safety, and well-being in outdoor settings, including weather preparedness and risk management.
• Model and teach environmental stewardship, outdoor safety, and respect for natural spaces.
• Document children’s learning, observations, and growth through photos, narratives, and reflective documentation.
• Integrate relevant curriculum concepts and vocabulary into outdoor experiences when appropriate.

• Track and maintain documentation related to volunteer onboarding and participation.
• Record participation in staff trainings and orientations.
• Maintain attendance records and support safe transitions during programming.
• Ensure proper implementation of safety protocols, including supervision practices and risk management procedures.
• Coordinate and document safety-related procedures such as emergency preparedness and drills.
• Maintain first aid kits and ensure required safety supplies are stocked and accessible.
• Support completion and organization of child records and required program documentation.

• Experience working with young children in outdoor, early childhood, or nature-based education settings.
• Demonstrated leadership experience, including supervising staff,…