1. family and parenting
2. children

Leaders’ Guide
or everything you want to know about being
a Family Club Leader
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Adapted by Nature Alberta from the
r of BC
Young Naturalists’ Club
e
Nature Kids of Alberta,
v 2015
11759 Groat Road, Edmonton, AB T5M 3K6
e
Phone: 780.427.8124
Email: [email protected] • www.naturealberta.ca
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Copyright © 2013
This manual may be reproduced for educational and capacity building purposes only. Reproduction
for any other purposes is strictly prohibited without written permission from the Young Naturalists’ Club
of BC Society. If you have questions about this manual, its development and use or about family
nature clubs, please contact us!
Young Naturalists’ Club of BC Society
1620 Mt. Seymour Road
North Vancouver, BC, V7G 2R9
Email: [email protected] • Phone: 604.985.3059
Acknowledgements
A number of people dedicated their time contributing ideas and helping to write, edit and design
this manual. They worked together with the shared goal of developing a comprehensive, friendly
manual to support new and experienced YNC Family Club Leaders, assisting them to get more
children outside having fun and exploring nearby nature. Thank you to everyone who contributed to
the process. Special thanks and recognition are due to: Daphne Solecki, YNC Founder and Honorary
President; Tammy Keetch, YNC Clubs Coordinator; Kristine Webber, YNC Executive Director; Ruth
Foster, YNC Director and Alison Garrad, Graphic Design. The production of this manual was also
made possible through the funding support provided by: Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, TD
Friends of the Environment Foundation and Vancouver Foundation.
Dear Nature Kids Leader,
Welcome! Thank you so much for volunteering to lead a Nature Kids Club to serve the children
of Alberta and through them, the future wellbeing of our province.
The purpose of Nature Kids is to encourage and assist young people to develop a love of
nature and a feeling of respect and responsibility for the unique ecosystems, flora and fauna
of Alberta.
As eminent biologist E.O. Wilson has said, “We can only care about what we know about.”
Thus it is necessary that children learn about nature, starting with their own neighbourhood
and province, before they can feel that sense of caring and responsibility.
As Leaders you have undertaken to encourage that love of nature among the children who
join your club. Leaders are the most vital component of our organization – without you there
would be no Nature Kids. The rest of the Nature Kids team – the Directors, Executive Director,
Clubs Coordinator, Membership and Office Coordinator – are here to support you and the
Nature Kids families in your Club.
I hope you enjoy this new challenge and I know you will have a great time with the kids and
parents - they are all so eager to explore and discover the world around them.
Thank you again,
Yours sincerely
Daphne Solecki
Young Naturalists’ Club Founder
Honorary President of Young Naturalist Club of BC
1
Table of Contents
Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................. 4
Program Overview..................................................................................................................................... 5
Vision, Mission and Values ........................................................................................................................ 6
Themes and Principles .............................................................................................................................. 7
Key Components
Summary Table - Who Does What and Who to Contact ............................................................................... 9
The Details - What do Leaders and Clubs do? ................................................................................................ 13
Organizing your Club
Co-Leadership- why it’s a good idea .................................................................................... 13
Explorer Days ............................................................................................................................... 13
Minimum Attendance ............................................................................................................... 14
Planning your Explorer Days .................................................................................................... 14
Nature Mentors (Guest Leaders) ............................................................................................. 15
Tell your members about the Explorer Day ........................................................................... 17
Inform the Nature Kids Office and Register your event ...................................................... 17
Explorer Day Details ................................................................................................................... 18
Communication and Outreach ........................................................................................................... 18
Publicizing Nature Kids in the Community ............................................................................ 18
Volunteer Leader Hours – Recording .................................................................................... 19
Safety and Risk Management .............................................................................................................. 19
Insurance and Informed Consent Forms ............................................................................... 19
Club First Aid Kits and First Aid Certification .......................................................................... 20
Reporting Incidents .................................................................................................................... 20
Final Points ................................................................................................................................................. 20
Changing Club Leadership .................................................................................................... 20
When is a Club no Longer a Nature Kids Club? .................................................................. 20
Club Membership ................................................................................................................................................. 21
How Does My Club Get Members? .................................................................................................... 21
Club Brochure / Poster Template ............................................................................................ 21
Outreach at Community Events ............................................................................................. 21
Local papers / Community Websites .................................................................................... 21
How do Families join Nature Kids? ....................................................................................................... 22
What do Members Get? ........................................................................................................................ 22
Membership for Nature Kids Leaders ................................................................................................... 22
Action Awards Quest ............................................................................................................................. 23
Leaders’ Resources .............................................................................................................................................. 24
Leaders’ Area of the Nature Kids Website .......................................................................................... 24
Leader Meetings AGM/FGM ................................................................................................................ 24
Nature Kids and Nature Alberta ........................................................................................................... 25
Important Information about Nature Kids ........................................................................................................ 25
Where does Nature Kids Get its Funding? .......................................................................................... 25
Donations .................................................................................................................................................. 25
Leader Volunteer Hours .......................................................................................................................... 26
Other ways to Raise Funds ..................................................................................................................... 26
Finances..................................................................................................................................................... 26
The Nature Kids Model ............................................................................................................................ 26
Nature Kids History ................................................................................................................................... 27
2
Appendix ............................................................................................................................................................... 30
Nature Kids Volunteer Leader Agreement - Role and Responsibilities ......................................... 31
What Nature Kids Provides to Clubs .................................................................................................... 32
Explorer Day Field Trip Ideas .................................................................................................................. 33
Explorer Day Checklist (Planning / Trip Day Details) ........................................................................ 34
Forms:
Informed Consent ...................................................................................................................... 35
Incident Report .......................................................................................................................... 36
Leader Information Form .......................................................................................................... 37
New Member Information Form ............................................................................................. 38
Sign in Sheet ................................................................................................................................ 39
Samples
Guest-for-a-Day Pass Sheet ..................................................................................................... 40
Explorer Day Template ............................................................................................................. 41
Some of our Favourite References on the Benefits of Time Spent In Nature ................ 42
3
Nature Kids Introduction
Nature Kids Club of Alberta was launched in 2004 to meet a perceived need – that of the majority
of children who nowadays live in urban surroundings and are largely denied the opportunity to
explore the outdoors and discover nature for themselves.
Nature Kids network of nature clubs provides a much-needed bridge between children, their
families and nearby nature. Nature Kids is part of a larger movement that aims to achieve a
fundamental change in our relationship with the natural world within the next generation.
As a Nature Kids Leader you will play a critical role in achieving this goal. Your primary task will be
organizing opportunities for children and their families to personally explore nearby nature. These
opportunities are provided through Nature Kids Explorer Days - field trips with invited experts (or
Nature Mentors). You yourself are also an important role model, sharing your enthusiasm,
knowledge and passion for nature as well as demonstrating appropriate outdoor etiquette and
having fun outside.
“An environment-based education movement--at all levels of education--will help students
realize that school isn't supposed to be a polite form of incarceration, but a portal to the wider
world.” ~Richard Louv
This Leaders’ Guide details your role and describes the expectations and responsibilities of being a
Nature Kids Leader. Overall, the process tries to be as simple as possible for local Nature Kids
leaders, so they can enjoy being with the kids and their parents and leave most of the paper work
to the office.
The Guide outlines the support you can expect to receive from Nature Kids, such as the Nature Kids
program components which are coordinated by the office (Action Awards, NatureWILD Magazine,
Citizen Science Projects and more); some essential administrative details; and answers to some of
the more commonly asked questions. We’ve tried to include everything you need and more in this
package. However, do not hesitate to contact the Program Manager if you have any further
questions or suggestions.
Thank you for choosing to volunteer your valuable time with Nature Kids and helping to inspire a
new generation of naturalists!
“There’s no way that we can help children to learn to love and preserve this planet, if we
don’t give them direct experiences with the miracles and blessings of nature.” ~Anita Olds
Nature Kids Program Overview
Nature Kids of Alberta is an exciting nature discovery and environmental action program that invites
young people ages 5-12 years to discover nearby nature on Explorer Day field trips with local
experts, learn about native wildlife and plants in NatureWILD Magazine and take part in
environmental actions to protect their habitat through the Action Awards Quest, Citizen Science
Projects and Stewardship Activities.
Nature Kids of Alberta bases its work on the following understandings:
Children benefit physically, socially and academically from time spent outdoors;
Today's children spend less time outside than ever before;
For a child, time freely spent in the natural environment has proved to be linked to the
development of a strong environmental ethic and positive conservation behaviour as an
adult.
“Most children today grow up in big cities where it’s easy to think we don’t need nature. But how
will we know the wonder and beauty of the natural world or learn where our clean air, water and
food come from? More than ever, children need to be connected with the natural world. The
Young Naturalists’ Club (Nature Kids) is a wonderful way to make those connections.” ~ Dr. David
Suzuki
Nature Kids Activities, which are informative, inspiring and fun, encourage children and families to
go out, explore their neighbourhoods, learn from local naturalists, discover nature as it exists around
them, and initiate personal actions to protect the environment. Nature Kids provides opportunities
for hands-on exploration of nature, social interaction and group activities through family field trips
and other events. Other activities are home-based, allowing children to develop knowledge and
skills on their own, without having to be dependent on groups, adults or transportation.
“My son used to come home from school and flip on the TV or play video games. Since joining
Nature Kids ... he heads for the yard to poke around to see what he can find”
Nature Kids Parent, Bugs R Us school nature club.
Nature Kids has been recognized as an excellent way to connect children and nature by Nature
Alberta, BC Nature, and many others. In 2012 the Young Naturalist Club of BC was awarded the
Canadian Wildlife Federation’s National Youth Conservation award. A number of Nature Kids BC
members have also been recognized for their individual conservation achievements.
5
Nature Kids of Alberta
VISION
Inspiring Children Naturally
By providing children of Alberta with outdoor experiences in natural surroundings at an early age,
Nature Kids will inspire them with a love of nature and lead them to make ecologically responsible
decisions as they grow older.
MISSION
The purpose of Nature Kids of Alberta is to encourage and assist young people to develop a love of
nature, and a feeling of respect and responsibility for the unique ecosystems, flora and fauna of
Alberta.
VALUES
These reflect widely-held beliefs among people associated with Nature Kids. These beliefs constitute
the essence of our organisational culture, and provide motivation, stability, and strategic direction:
Respect for Nature – Nature Kids strives for a better understanding of natural history through human
respect for nature, which has values beyond its immediate or practical value to humans. The study
of nature is fascinating in itself, and Nature Kids will share the fascination and joy of working in
nature with others.
Nature Enhances Learning and Health – Personal exploration of nature is an effective way to
educate and broaden childhood well-being, to enhance child development and to assist young
people in reaching their full potential. Regularly spending time in nature provides health benefits to
all ages.
Inter-generational Responsibility - Parents and educators want the best personal learning outcomes
for their children; they want children to be well informed about nature and the environment,
accepting their responsibility as active participants of the world in which they live.
Willingness to act on behalf of nature – Nature Kids encourages children and families to take part in
stewardship activities and other actions to protect the natural environment.
Commitment to People – Nature Kids is committed to the honest, transparent, and respectful
treatment of all individuals, across all cultures, including staff, volunteers, members, funders,
partners, and the wider public.
Nature Kids believes that informed children and their families have important roles to play in
developing an environmentally-literate and concerned public.
6
Nature Kids Themes and Principles
The program content which shapes all the activities of Nature Kids of Alberta - the Nature Kids
magazine NatureWILD, the Action Award Quest, the Explorer Day field trips and other nature
experiences/activities – is consistent with the following guiding principles and themes important to
becoming a naturalist and conservationist and reflects the values of Nature Kids. You may wish to
refer to this when considering your Explorer Day topics.
A special note on Community Connections
A goal of the Nature Kids program is to foster a life-long passion for the natural world. Activities that
make connections in the community – by involving a variety of local mentors/experts or partnering
with other community groups on projects – will ensure that Nature Kids members build strong nature
networks in which they can participate and which will provide continuing opportunities to explore
nature after they ‘age-out’ of our organization.
Principle
Experiencing and learning about
nature while in nature.
Experiences and adventures in
nature foster a love of the
outdoors. Leaders and nature
mentors share the wonder of the
natural world with children
through a variety of activities
from exploration to recreation.
Nature Kids members make
personal connections with the
natural world and learn about
local species, habitat and
ecosystems.
Themes/characteristics
Nature Kids Program
Components
• Emphasis on outdoor activities
• Explorer Days
• Hands-on, experiential learning
• Action Awards
Awareness
In-Nature Experiences & Adventures
• Exploration of nearby nature
• Comfort in the outdoors
• Connect with local nature
mentors, experts and groups in
your community
• Outdoor safety, etiquette,
orienteering
• Not getting lost in the wild
(safety rules, orienteering)
• Outdoor etiquette (keeping
nature safe while observing)
Explorer Day Examples: wetland prowl, animal track identification, family fishing day,
orienteering, outdoor First Aid, tree/fungus interrelationship.
7
Knowledge
Nature Study & Environmental Literacy
Principle
Themes/characteristics
Nature Kids Program
Components
Learning about nature whether
outdoors, inside or online.
• Species identification and
ecosystems
• Explorer Days
Honing nature observation skills,
learning the names and
studying the lives of our wild
neighbours; understanding
basic environmental concepts,
systems and conservation
issues.
• Nature observation and
journaling
• Action Awards
• NatureWILD
• Citizen science activities
• Research projects
Explorer Day Examples: NatureWatch Programs (plant watch, frog watch etc.), nature
journaling through the seasons, owl pellet dissection, coyote, bear and cougar awareness,
raising butterflies for release, great backyard bird count (GBBC).
Action
Stepping up for Nature
Principle
Themes/characteristics
Nature Kids Program
Component
A consequence of
participating in environmental
appreciation and awareness
activities and making a deep
connection to the natural
world is a desire to act on
behalf of nature.
Give Nature a Hand through
stewardship. Activities may be
club-based (Explorer Days) or
individual (Action Awards).
• Explorer Days
Nature Kids members are given
opportunities to ‘step up for
nature’ with stewardship
projects, to make informed
choices to reduce personal
impacts on the environment
and to share information with
others in their community.
• Action Awards
• NatureWILD
Live Lightly on the Earth - by making
informed, eco-friendly choices in
everyday life (e.g. biking, recycling,
composting, energy use reduction).
Sharing: encourage reaching out
to others to share successes, stories
and information through
presentations to school classes and
other youth groups, community
events, web, social media, and
digital story-telling.
Explorer Day Examples: tree planting, bike to school campaign, nest box cleaning, Youth-led
Secret Bog Restoration Project, making mason bee boxes, ‘Only Rain Goes Down the Drain”
YouTube video project, planning wildlife friendly gardens.
8
Key Components of the Nature Kids Program
Leader’s Core Responsibility
Explorer
Days
Action
Awards
Quest
Club
Membership
Citizen
Science &
Stewardship
Action
NatureWILD
Magazine
Website
&
Communic
ations
Summary – Who does What and Who to Contact
Program Area
EXPLORER DAYS
Field trips and other
hands-on programs led
by local naturalists
provide experiences 'in
the field' – e.g. ponding
/insect study, bird
identification/observation
of behaviour,
fungus/forest floor and
other discoveries - plus
opportunities for club
members to learn skills
and to meet like-minded
peers.
Explorer Days are held
outside as much as
possible.
Leader Responsibility
 Organize and Schedule
Explorer Days (using Nature
Kids Themes) & find Nature
Mentors / Guest leaders
 Register Explorer Days with
office before events take
place
 Inform members of events
 Complete Informed Consent
forms at each Explorer Day;
submit forms to office
 Share photos and stories
Office Responsibility
 Maintain 3rd party liability for
leaders, member and nature
mentors
 Develop Nature Mentor
Database to help leaders find
resource people in their
community
 Develop/ raise awareness
about Province-wide
opportunities e.g. Family
Fishing Day, Hypothermic Half
Marathon, Great Backyard
Bird Count etc.
 Liaise with Leaders
Questions?
General inquiries or Explorer Day
listings contact:
[email protected]
9
Program Area
Leader Responsibility
CLUB MEMBERSHIP
Member families along with volunteer
leaders are the core of Nature Kids.
Nature Kids invites children ages 3-12
years to discover nature in their own
neighbourhoods, explore local
ecosystems on Explorer Days, learn
about native wildlife and plants in
NatureWILD Magazine and take part
in environmental actions to protect
their habitat with the Action Awards
Quest.

Increase awareness about
your Nature Kids club and
outreach to public

Recruit members for your
club at community events
/ via media and other
methods using Nature Kids
tools e.g. club brochure,
poster template,
NatureWILD magazines at
displays, Nature Kids Guest
Pass
Membership is $26.25/year for the
entire family. To join the club you can
download a membership application
from our website and mail it to:

Nature Kids of Alberta
11759 Groat Road, Edmonton, AB
T5M 3K6
Questions?
Membership and promotion
contact:
[email protected]
Membership forms are available at:
http://naturealberta.ca/youth/
Leader Membership- Leaders are
provided with a membership without
cost.
10
Maintain a current Nature
Kids Membership, at no
cost.
Office Responsibility

Process new and
renewed
memberships and
send out welcome
packs

Notify leaders of
new members;
send out updated
member list
monthly

Produce and print
club brochures

Facilitate new club
set up and support

Maintain member
database

Respond to
member inquiries

Pass on feedback
from members to
leaders

Fundraise to
subsidize low,
accessible
membership fee
Program Area
NatureWILD MAGAZINE
This Nature Kids publication is
Alberta’s premier nature
magazine for children,
containing articles written by
leading Albertan naturalists
and scientists, projects,
puzzles, games and
competitions, and is emailed
to members quarterly. It is
also available for schools,
libraries, and individuals.
Nature Kids members are
invited to contribute their
field notes, observations,
photos, drawings, etc.
Leader Responsibility
 Encourage members to
contribute to the magazine
 Copies of NatureWILD are
sent to leaders so that you
can share them with others
 Members and leaders are
sometimes profiled in, or write
stories for, NatureWILD
Office Responsibility
 NatureWILD editorial
team responsible for
production and printing
of NatureWILD Magazine
four times per year.
 NatureWILD is distributed
by the office to members
and leaders.
 Suggestions for topics,
presentation, etc., always
welcome.
 Previous copies can be used
as part of a community
display to promote your
Nature Kids club.
Questions?
Contact:
[email protected]
ACTION AWARD QUEST
Bronze, Silver & Gold levels
The Action Awards Quest
rewards members for their
individual and community
activities. The program
encourages members to do
all that they can to be wiser
naturalists and energetic
environmentalists! Awards
are given for completing a
selection of activities in four
categories: Nature Detective,
Environmental Action,
Leading Others and
Participation Days
 Raise awareness of Action
Award Program with your
club
 Where possible, Leaders
present certificates /buttons
to members at club events to
help encourage participation
Questions?
Contact:
[email protected]
 Action Awards Program is
developed, maintained
and tracked at the
office.
 Action Award Guides are
available online
 The Nature Kids Leader is
alerted when club
member achieves an
Action Award
The program is currently
under redevelopment
11
Program Area
WEBSITE &
COMMUNICATIONS
The Nature Kids
website, displays at
community events,
articles and local
news releases are
some of the ways
that we get the word
out about Nature
Kids and attract new
members and
funders.
Leader Responsibility
 Each Leader is responsible for
local outreach to encourage
club membership - you know
what works best in your own
community. Nature Kids
communication tools are
available to assist you (see
Leaders section of website).
 Register Explorer Days with
office before events to post on
the website
 If your club has an active
relationship with the local
Nature Alberta Club, ask them
to consider including updates
about Nature Kids in their
newsletter, these updates to be
contributed by the Nature Kids
leader or members.
Questions or Explorer Day listings on
Nature Kids website/promotional
materials?
Contact:
[email protected]
Financial
Management
Office Responsibility
 Nature Kids Office maintains
regular communication with
leaders and members (e-news,
phone, email, web)
 Develops tools and support for
Club Leaders and provides
promotional materials
 Organizes and supports annual
member drive
 Volunteers promote Nature Kids
by attending meetings and
public events with the Nature
Kids Touch Table and Display
 Provides updates for Nature
Alberta Magazine
 Organizes leader meetings
 Writes articles to raise the profile
of Nature Kids
 Works with Nature Kids
volunteers
 Fosters positive relationship
between Nature Alberta clubs
and Nature Kids
 Nature Kids Management
provides financial and
organizational management
including compliance with
Federal charity regulations and
Provincial Society Act
 Manages donations designated
for specific clubs
 Develops, reports to, and
maintains Nature Kids funders
The Details: What do Leaders and Clubs do?
As the Leader of a Nature Kids Family Club, your principal responsibilities will be:
1. Organizing Explorer Days
2. Recruiting members
3. Communicating with Clubs Coordinator and Membership & Office Coordinator
ORGANIZING YOUR CLUB
Why Co-Leadership is a Good Idea.
Share the Fun of Leadership! It is strongly recommended that Nature Kids leaders recruit at least one
other co-leader and work as a team. Although this is not mandatory, having a co-leader means
you have someone to share the workload with especially when your personal life/work gets busy. It
can also make the transition for new leaders easier.
EXPLORER DAYS
Discovering nature first hand is the core activity of Nature Kids so your number one priority is
organizing local Explorer Days Field trips - outdoors as much as possible. This encourages contact
with the natural environment, which many children do not experience in their everyday life. Club
activities can take a variety of forms--there is no strict protocol and clubs operate in many different
ways. All activities are family oriented and are planned to meet one or more of the Nature Kids
Themes (see the Introduction) when developing your Explorer Days.
Although a Nature Kids club leader may choose to lead some Explorer Days, usually s/he finds local
resource people to guide and provide the 'expertise'. Explorer Day guest leaders (or Nature
Mentors) provide variety for your club, take advantage of the wealth of expertise in your
community, and take some of the pressure off you as a club leader. Local experts can be found
through nearby adult naturalist clubs (often through Nature Alberta), local colleges and universities,
facilities such as hatcheries, provincial and federal outreach personnel; chances are you already
know many community experts (see Nature Mentors section for more information).
Variety is Key
Children respond in different ways, so fill your Explorer Day field trips with a variety of activities and
changes in pace. If you intend to take children to see wildlife for example, play a game that
involves running around and letting off some energy before expecting them to be quiet.
“Whether it is exploring intertidal life, learning about fungus in the forest, birdwatching or cleaning
up shorelines, the Young Naturalists enjoy a wide variety of nature discovery and conservation
activities. Some of our long-term members are now passing on their knowledge and getting
involved in conservation activities on their own initiative.
For example, one member helped to start a Young Naturalist club in her school, which now has 30
members and a waiting list of eager Grade 3’s and 4’s. This individual has grown so passionate
about nature that she attends environmental meetings in which she is the only child in the
audience. Another long-term member is 14 now, but enjoys the Young Naturalist Club so much she
wants to stay on as a Junior Leader. I believe that children like these have a “ripple effect”,
stimulating others to enjoy and protect nature.”
Anthea Farr, RPBio. Leader, Nicomekl Young Naturalist Club (Nature Kids)
13
Minimum Attendance
The minimum number for a sanctioned Nature Kids event is two adults and three children. For the
protection of both the adults and children Nature Kids Leaders and/or Nature Mentors (Guest
Nature Kids Leaders) must not be alone with children at any time. Many leaders ask for an RSVP with
a deadline to help confirm numbers prior to the Explorer Day.
Note: Although children under 3 years are not yet members, they may attend events with parents
and siblings (otherwise probably no-one could do so). However, on occasion, an event may be
inappropriate for younger children. In this case, an age limit can be set and passed on to your club
members when your Explorer Day announcement is sent out (i.e. “this event is for children 8 and up
only”).
Friends may be invited to ‘try out’ Nature Kids program once but it is important to note that
future attendance at Nature Kids events will require a Nature Kids membership.
PLANNING YOUR CLUB’S EXPLORER DAYS
It is a good idea to plan your Explorer Days well in advance, at least a season at a time if
possible. Explorer Days are generally offered once a month, but if this proves to be
difficult, once every two or three months will be sufficient so long as you inform your
member families so they know what to expect. Explorer Days don't have to be on a
specific regular weekend (although many clubs do follow this format); the day chosen
can be one that is convenient to the resource person you invite. Many clubs operate
from September to June, taking a break over July and August, while others continue to
get together over the summer. A few clubs have held a camp for their members. Decide
what timing works best for you and your co-leader.
As you plan, make sure club activities dwell on the positive and on learning about this
wonderful world of ours.
Advice from a Seasoned Nature Kids Leader
“Running a club is not about being a “teacher” per se, it’s about being a good role model as
an advocate for nature. When I first started out as the 10+ leader I made that mistake myself,
by making events that were a little too structured and “school like”. Now, I see that it’s most
important that the children simply spend happy time outdoors in nature—that they have very
positive experiences associated with the outdoors and nature. Hopefully, when they grow up
they will remember that nature provided an important foundation for who they became and
they will encourage nature experiences for the children in their life.”
Elke Wind, Young Naturalist Club (Nature Kids) Nanaimo
14
Explorer Day Inspiration
There is a large range of possible activities you might consider when planning your
Explorer Days, from building nest boxes, to hiking, pond-dipping, or hands-on workshops
on nature photography. See the Appendix for a list of ideas to get you started and a
handy checklist to help you organize and plan. If more inspiration is needed for a
certain explorer day or you need help with initial explorer days, feel free to contact the
Nature Kids office at [email protected]. The office is also building a
database of “Explorer Day in a Box” kits to help leaders with new and exciting activities.
The Leaders area of the website (http://naturealberta.ca/youth/) is an excellent place
to find resources for Explorer Day planning. You will find a compilation of the forms and
resources needed for organize your club.
Invite a Nature Mentor to Lead and Explorer Day
Local Nature Mentors (guest field trip leaders) enrich and add variety to Explorer Days
when they share their expertise, skills and knowledge with your members. Most invited
mentors are happy to share their passion with young people so long as they know it will
be only once a year or so. Potential Nature Mentors include professional biologist,
geologists, naturalists and environmental educators, both active and retired.
If you’re having trouble finding Nature Mentors in your area, email our Program
Manager ([email protected]) and we will help you find some local experts.
15
Tips for Nature Mentors
It is helpful if Nature Mentors are sent some basic information to guide them in
their preparation for speaking to your members on the Explorer Day; this will
make it a more enjoyable experience for them and the members. Check with
your Nature Mentor to find out if s/he has experience speaking to/working with
young children and are comfortable in this environment; some will have limited
experience.
Let your guest Nature Mentor know:
16

About Nature Kids of Alberta
Nature Kids is an exciting nature discovery and environmental action program that invites
young people across Alberta ages 3-12 years to discover nearby nature on Explorer Day
field trips with local experts, learn about native wildlife and plants in NatureWILD magazine
and take part in environmental actions to protect habitat with the Action Awards Quest and
stewardship projects. Nature Kids is a program of Nature Alberta which is a registered
Canadian Charity powered by volunteers and generous donations. Read more at
www.naturealberta.ca.

Typically Explorer Day field trips are held outside and are 1.5 - 2 hours in length.

Emphasize that this is a family club and the members are the children. At least one
parent/guardian per family will always be in attendance and they are often eager to ask
questions, the focus should always be on the children.

There will be a range of ages attending (potentially 3-12 year olds) so a good rule of thumb
is to aim at age 7, which will hit somewhere in the middle of the audience. (Unless your club
members are predominately made up of a certain age, if so, advise the Nature Mentor).

Suggest Nature Mentor shares his/her enthusiasm, how and why interest in topic began.

Talking should be punctuated with physical activities that are as hands-on as much as
possible. Suggest the Nature Mentor bring props and incorporate activities. If you notice that
attention is fading, be prepared to intervene to assist the Nature Mentor to switch activities
or wrap up.

For the protection of both adults and children, Nature Kids Leaders and/or Nature Mentors
(Guest Nature Kids Leaders) must not be alone with children at any time.

Advise Nature Mentors that you will be conducting some ‘administration’ at the beginning
of the Explorer Day (e.g. sign in, announcements, awards, etc.)

As the Nature Kids Leader you are there to intervene if there are any behavior issues
and to assist in any other way that may be required.
TELL YOUR MEMBERS ABOUT THE EXPLORER DAY
The primary way your club members will hear about your Explorer Days is through you. Nature Kids
leaders prepare and send program information and registration details to members via email (and
cc it to [email protected]). As a leader you will be provided with up-to-date member
email / contact information by the Nature Kids office.
Please use your club email account to send out notices of Explorer Days and be sure to check this
email regularly. You will have to telephone the very few members who do not have e-mail.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Members and their families are responsible for their own transportation to and from
Explorer Days. The Nature Kids Insurance Policy does not cover transportation and as a
leader you must never provide rides to any members. Although we support
carpooling, it is up to the members to arrange that on their own. One way you can
help your members is to provide bus/transit information, maps and other useful details.
INFORM THE NATURE KIDS OFFICE AND REGISTER YOUR EXPLORER DAYS
Once you have your Explorer Day schedule planned, send a copy to the office
([email protected]). An easy way to remember to do this is to add these email
addresses to your club membership email list (if not already done so by the office).
This is important for a number of reasons:
i.
we want to know about all the great Explorer Days you are organizing
ii.
it helps get the word out about your events
iii.
the information is used as a resource and source of inspiration for other leaders
iv.
last but not least, it is an important condition of our Insurance Policy that your Explorer
Day information be sent to the office prior to your outing.
17
EXPLORER DAY DETAILS
There are a few administrative details to complete before the Explorer Day program begins:
gather the group before the event and be certain to have all participants and the guest
leader sign the Informed Consent Form. See the Appendix for a handy ‘Explorer Day
Checklist’ to assist you.
All children must be accompanied by an adult guardian - parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle,
older sibling, or friend of family (with appropriate permission from the parent). This is an absolute
requirement for participation in Explorer Days.
Before the Explorer Day program begins gather the group and be certain to have all guardians
and the guest leader sign the Informed Consent Form. You may also want to go over any particular
safety information for the event, make any Nature Kids-related announcements / present any
awards and remind participants of the Explorer Day Etiquette.
Review Explorer Day Etiquette (included in new member pack)
Hello Nature Kids!
While enjoying you Explorer Day, remember to:
Arrive on time
Listen to leaders and follow instructions
Show respect for all participants, guests and leaders
When visiting natural spaces, practice respect and care:
Walk quietly, you will see more wildlife
Stay on designated trails at all times
Leave everything as you found it
COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH
Publicizing Nature Kids Events in the Community & Recruiting Members
You may also want to advertise your Explorer Day events in the free community listings in your local
paper / community website or post them in places around your city/town using the Nature Kids
Explorer Day poster template and your customized club brochures (see
http://naturealberta.ca/youth/ and look in the Leaders’ Area)
Consider inviting a local reporter to attend an Explorer Day and/or send regular items to your paper.
In smaller communities especially, local papers are usually very willing to cover Nature Kids events or
feature submitted descriptions and photos by you and the children which may help generate new
18
members. If you would like suggestions on approaching the local paper or wording an
announcement, please contact us at [email protected]. If you do receive local press
coverage, please forward it to the office – this publicity is an important factor when applying for
grants.
Member Activities - Action Awards
Although this member activity is primarily administered by the office, as a Leader you should be
aware of the Action Awards Quest program and actively encourage participation with your club
members. The purpose of the Action Awards in particular is to encourage children to undertake
individual as well as group actions. See the Club Membership section for more information.
Record your Volunteer Hours
Fuelled by the work of many generous volunteers, Nature Kids clubs would not exist without
volunteer leaders like you! Help Nature Kids celebrate you and communicate how much you do to
connect children with nature by recording the number of hours you volunteer each month. This
information is very helpful in getting funding support for the organization.
Please estimate the number of monthly hours that you contribute to Nature Kids and email it to our
Program Manager ([email protected])
When recording your hours consider all the ways you spend your time volunteering with Nature Kids
e.g. planning and prep for Explorer Days, arranging guest Nature Mentor leaders, email
correspondence with members and office, Explorer Days attendance/delivery, Explorer Day follow
up/event clean up, work with volunteers, contact with adult naturalist club, media etc.
SAFETY AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Safety First!
‘Safety First’ is a good maxim, but at the same time appropriate risk taking is good for children’s
healthy development and learning. Remind members that the natural world is full of surprises and
paying attention is part of getting to know nature and learning how to be outside safely.
Insurance and Informed Consent Forms
Nature Kids, its members and volunteer leaders are covered by 3rd Party liability insurance. At every
event the Informed Consent Form must be signed (this acts as a register and photo permission as
well). This is the ONLY way that ensures coverage for members and guests.
New regulations require that these Consent Forms be kept until the children are 18 years old. We do
not expect Nature Kids leaders to keep them! Please collect and send to the Nature Kids office
twice a year January 31st and July 31st or more often if you prefer.
19
Club First Aid Kits and First Aid Certification
It is important and a good practice that Nature Kids clubs and leaders are prepared to deal with
injuries or accidents in the unlikely event that they occur on an Explorer Day event. To this end,
Nature Kids highly recommends that leaders be certified with current Emergency First Aid. If your
club has co-leaders, the priority should be for the leader who generally attends Explorer Days to be
certified. Please contact the Clubs Coordinator if you need assistance with certification.
In addition, each Nature Kids club will be provided with a dedicated first aid kit that should be
carried on each Explorer Day outing and should remain with the club when leaders change. Make
sure everyone knows where it is when you set out on your Explorer Day.
Some helpful websites to help locate an emergency first aid class near you:
Canadian Red Cross
http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=000620&tid=021
St. John’s Ambulance
http://www.sja.ca/English/courses-and-training/Pages/default.aspx
Reporting Incidents
In the unlikely event that an accident or incident occurs during an Explorer Day or other Club event,
please record the details on the Nature Kids Incident Report as soon as possible while the event is
still fresh in your mind. You can find the Incident Report and the Informed Consent form in the
Appendix and in the Leaders section of the website.
You may want to print a copy to carry with you (perhaps in your club First Aid kit) so that it is on
hand and can be filled out on the spot.
FINAL POINTS
Changing Club Leadership
If you wish to step down as a leader please give the Nature Kids office and local adult club affiliate
(if applicable) as much notice as possible; this will ensure the best opportunity to find a
replacement and ensure a smooth transition of club leadership. We hope you will help us in finding
that new leader. There may be a Nature Kids parent that can step up or a Nature Alberta Member
from the adult naturalist club or even one of the Nature Mentors/guest leaders. The Nature Kids
office will also schedule an exit interview and we welcome your feedback and suggestions.
Note: a number of items must remain with the club and help maintain continuity for members - for
example the first aid kit, any supplies purchased on behalf of the club by the office.
When is a club no longer a club?
There are two main reasons why a club may cease to exist:
1. The club has no members
2. A replacement leader cannot be found
20
YNC Leaders’ Manual | Membership
Club Membership
HOW DOES MY CLUB GET MEMBERS?
You may be starting a new club or taking over the Nature Kids Leader position in an established
club. Either way you’ll want to increase awareness about Nature Kids in your area and recruit
members locally. This can be done in any venue or in any way that the Leader feels is appropriate
to the area.
Club Brochures & Explorer Day Poster Template
Your club will be provided with club brochures with contact information, which is updated annually.
You will be given a package of 50 to start and a PDF digital file to run off more as required. Use the
Nature Kids Explorer Day Poster Template, or create one of your own, to spread the word in the
community about upcoming Explorer Days.
These can be distributed and posted through libraries, community centres and schools, or any other
suitable venues. Ask your local adult Nature Alberta Club to distribute them at their meetings. (Your
local Nature Alberta club may also cover the cost of printing if requested as many local Nature Kids
do not have funds of their own.)
Outreach at Community Events
A display table at community events is a great way to let people know about the club and gain
new members. Invite local Nature Kids members to help you. ‘Touch table' items (rocks, fossils, skulls,
cones, in fact any item from nearby nature) are always an attraction. Put your club brochures out
and some sample copies of NatureWILD. The office can send you some issues from previous years
which you can give away (contact [email protected] to request). You may also want to
print some Nature Kids ‘Guest for a Day’ coupons to give out to those who would like to try an
Explorer Day (see the Appendix for a sample).
Local Newspapers & Community Websites – Articles and Club Photos
Local papers, especially in smaller communities, are usually most cooperative in running a story or
two about the Nature Kids launch; some follow the activities regularly and/or have regular columns.
Newspapers and community websites are often willing to print/post club photos from Explorer Days
(refer to the Informed Consent form for photo permission).
After the first few successful Explorer Days have been carried out, word of mouth by happy
participants is often the most effective recruiting method.
21
HOW DO FAMILIES JOIN THE NATURE KIDS
Membership applications are found in the Nature Kids brochures, NatureWILD magazine or online
at http://naturealberta.ca/youth/. Memberships can be paid for by mailing in the application and
cheque to:
Nature Kids of Alberta, Nature Alberta
11759 Groat Road, Edmonton, AB
T5M 3K6
In 2015 the membership fee is $26.25 for the family; all children between 3 and 12 will qualify for
membership. Memberships run for one calendar year from date of joining.
All memberships and renewals are processed at the office by the Nature Kids Coordinator. Leaders
will be notified of new members joining their club. Updated membership lists will be provided at
regular intervals and will also indicate those members who have not renewed and thus should be
removed from your club email list. If you have any questions about membership lists please contact
[email protected].
WHAT DO MEMBERS GET WHEN THEY SIGN UP?
When children join Nature Kids they become part of a local Nature Kids community of children and
families that share their love of nature.
1. New memberships are confirmed by email and sent a digital copy of NatureWILD (four issues a
year – these can be photocopied at home if there is more than one child).
2. A welcome letter will arrive along with the emailed copy of Nature Wild.
3. The family is invited to attend Explorer Days with their local club.
4. The family is emailed or mailed (additional cost for hard copy magazine is $15.00 without tax) one
copy of Nature Alberta magazine (four issues a year), which features articles that outline current
environmental issues relating to Alberta.
5. Children are invited to participate in contests and citizen science opportunities, and to enroll in
the
Nature Kids Action Awards Quest Program.
MEMBERSHIP FOR LEADERS
As a Club Leader you are also a Nature Kids Member in
good standing. Each fall Nature Kids renews your annual
membership on your behalf.
22
YNC Leaders’ Manual | Membership
MEMBER ACTIVITIES – ACTION AWARDS
Although this member activity is primarily administered by the office, as a Leader you should be
aware of the Action Awards Quest program and actively encourage participation. The purpose of
the Action Awards in particular is to encourage children to undertake individual as well as group
actions.
Action Awards Quest
The purpose of the Action Awards Quest is to build on the group learning opportunities provided by
Explorer Days and NatureWILD, by encouraging our young members to become self-motivated
naturalists and environmentalists. By promoting individual and independent action by members,
taken on their own initiative, we hope studying nature and caring about the environment will
become part of the way they live their lives.
There are three levels of awards Bronze, Silver and Gold (these categories may be renamed). The
Action Award Quest booklet is available for download from the Nature Kids website
(http://naturealberta.ca/youth/).
Each time a member completes a level, s/he will receive a certificate, prize plus a write up in
NatureWILD Magazine. The award certificate and prize can be mailed to the member or—
preferably—sent to the leader for presentation on a suitable occasion during an Explorer Day to
congratulate the member and encourage others to participate.
Members are invited to complete activities in four different categories as follows:
Nature Detective - study, experiment, or research the natural world and report on it and your
work. Discover new things by taking part in a nature-related field trip, program or community
event.
Environmental Action - protect, conserve, preserve, or restore a part of the natural environment
around you, directly or indirectly. Participate in a Citizen Science Project by monitoring wildlife
or plant life in your community and reporting back.
Leading Others -share nature and environmental actions with your friends, family, school or
community at large by giving a presentation, show & tell, making a poster or artwork, creating
a blog or YouTube video, or drawing a comic book or graphic novel. You can also lead a
nature walk, participate in invasive plants removal, raise funds, write an article for a newspaper
or even start your own local chapter of Nature Kids.
Participation Days – attend Nature Kids recognized events that focuses on learning about
nature. This could be a Nature Kids explorer day, or another event put on by a related club.
23
Leaders’ Resources
LEADERS’ AREA OF THE NATURE KIDS WEBSITE
The Leaders’ section of the website is the place you should go to find resources, ideas and info to
help you plan your Explorer Days and any Nature Kids forms you need! Go to
http://naturealberta.ca/youth/. Features of the Leaders area are shown below.
Leaders’ area resources:
 Leaders' Manual
 Explorer Day Poster Templates
 Explorer Day Inspiration (list of past Explorer Days from clubs)
 BioKit Resource and Guide (pre and post Explorer Day/ Family Stewardship activities)
 Informed Consent Form
 Volunteer Tracking Form
 Incident Report Form
 Nature Kids Club Brochures
 Nature Kids Thank you cards
 Info about available Club Funding /Leader training
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING and LEADER MEETINGS
Nature Kids is a program of Nature Alberta which is a registered charity and
as such is required to hold an Annual General Meeting. As a member of
Nature Kids you are able to vote at the Annual General Meeting. Nature Kids
also has Leaders’ Meetings each year held to bring the leaders community
together to discuss progress and setbacks that they are experiencing in their
local clubs.
Nature Kids encourages leaders to attend whenever possible. The Leaders’
Meetings are a great chance to meet other leaders, share ideas, discuss
emerging topics or matters of concern as well as meet Nature Kids staff. If
there is a particular topic you’d like discussed or training you feel would
benefit leaders please contact the Nature Kids Coordinator.
24
NATURE KIDS AND NATURE ALBERTA
Nature Kids is a program that is currently administered by Nature Alberta. Nature Alberta provides
office space and guides the goals of the Nature Kids, but most importantly many of the Nature
Alberta adult Clubs work closely with local Nature Kids.
Local adult Nature Alberta Clubs are a wonderful source of knowledge and experience and are
often staunch supporters of their local Nature Kids Club. Some Nature Kids Leaders are members of
the adult naturalist club. Nature Alberta Clubs may offer joint membership at a reduced rate for
Nature Kids Families. Some contribute financially in support of local Nature Kids clubs covering the
cost of photocopying brochures or paying for meeting space or occasional interpreter fees. Adult
Naturalist Clubs are an important resource and stepping stone for older children ‘aging out’ of
Nature Kids.
We encourage all leaders to reach out and develop good relationships with members of their local
Nature Alberta Club.
Important Information about Nature Kids
WHERE DOES NATURE KIDS GET ITS FUNDING?
The Nature Kids budget is approximately $60,000 each year and those monies are raised through a
range of activities including grants, donations, membership fees and fee-for service activities. In
addition we estimate that volunteers contribute in excess of $10,000 worth of their time each year.
Nature Kids has intentionally kept the costs to members low, only recovering small amount of the
operating budget through the $26.50 annual family membership fees. We know this is important to
ensure access to families with lower incomes. Sometimes we get designated donations to support
memberships for those who can’t afford even this modest fee or to support work in inner city
schools.
DONATIONS
Nature Alberta is a registered charity which means that we can issue tax receipts for donations. It
also means we need to be vigilant in reporting any donations to Revenue Canada in our annual
filing. Any funds received using the Nature Alberta charitable number must be processed through
the office.
Nature Kids is able to receive donations online through paypal on the Nature Alberta Website
(http://naturealberta.ca/support/donate/) and by cash or cheque at the Nature Alberta office.
25
LEADER VOLUNTEER HOURS
Volunteer hours are valued as ‘in-kind donations’ and are given a dollar value. They are an
essential component when applying for grants, as Nature Kids needs to show that it is contributing
(as far as possible) as much as the granting agency to the work for which support has been
requested.
For more information about recording your volunteer hours see the ‘What do Leaders and Clubs Do’
section.
OTHER WAYS TO RAISE FUNDS
There are many ways you and your club can help Nature Kids raise the funds to keep connecting
children with nature far into the future:
Writing letters of support for use in grant applications
Holding a mini-fundraiser such as a bottle drive, penny drive, or sale
Participating in the Hypothermic Half Marathon and run to raise funds for Nature Alberta.
Becoming a Nature Alberta donor
Spreading the word about Nature Kids to others to encourage membership and support.
FINANCES
Each year Nature Alberta undergoes a financial review and the financial statements are presented
at the Annual General Meeting and later posted on the website. A graphic summary of the
finances are also in the annual report as is a list of the many donors. You can view a list of the
current funders in NatureWILD Magazine and on the website. Funders are also updated annually on
the Club brochures.
THE NATURE KIDS MODEL
The Alberta Nature Kids model has been adapted from the Nature Kids of BC, formerly the Young
Naturalists Club of BC. In the past, some fantastic local nature clubs were organized in BC, notably
in Vancouver and Victoria. However, after a period of time the clubs folded, usually when the
founding leader stepped down. The Young Naturalist Club was developed with the idea that by
organizing a province wide network of clubs and providing leaders with management support to
take care of matters such as funding, membership records and other paper work, leaders would be
able to commit their time and energy directly to their clubs. Management would also be
responsible for program elements such as NatureWILD, Action Awards, Province-wide citizen
science and stewardship activities.
By linking leaders and providing them with resources, a more resilient and thriving network of clubs
could exist and grow into the future. And it seems to be working!
Thus, whilst your primary responsibility is for Explorer Day delivery and interaction with your club
members, the part time Nature Kids Management Team, Nature Alberta volunteer Board of
Directors and office volunteers takes care of everything else.
26
Nature Kids History - How it began
BACKGROUND
In common with most naturalist organizations in Canada, the Alberta naturalist community became
concerned with the fact that their members were aging and younger and more vigorous members
were not being recruited. Yet the environmental movement in this province originated in the
naturalist clubs, many of which were started as long ago as the early 1900s and had a strong
conservation ethic. At that time, with a smaller population, there was a close relationship between
naturalists, academia and government. In the 70’s the population grew and with this growth, threats
to natural habitat increased. This spurred the emergence of more activist groups. A split seems to
have developed between the knowledge-based naturalist clubs and the action-based
environmental groups.
The aim of Nature Kids is to develop a younger generation of naturalists who are both
knowledgeable in natural history and ecology and prepared to take action on behalf of the
environment. Perhaps the biggest change between then and now is that early naturalists were
surrounded by nature – they just stepped outside and there it was. Nowadays, the great majority of
the population is urban and the natural world is hard to find without some guidance.
ACTION
In 1993, Rob Butler proposed that the Federation of BC Naturalists create a young naturalist
program based on the youth program of Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (UK, Europe’s
largest conservation organization with one million members). Their youth program, the Young
Ornithologists’ Club (now known as RSPB Wildlife Explorers), has been in existence for 60 years. The
Vancouver Natural History (VNHS, now Nature Vancouver) decided to act on behalf of all FBCN
clubs to develop a program for young people. As a run up to starting the young naturalist club, a
local family program called ‘Step into Nature’ was started in 1997. The Young Naturalist Club of BC
was launched in spring 2000 by a working group of VNHS members - Karen Buschert, Carole Grupe,
Diane Lepawsky, Muren Schachter and Daphne Solecki (chair). Monica Belko joined us through the
BC government’s E-Team initiative and from 2000 to the present, she has been the production editor
for the BC NatureWILD magazine. Given the quick success of BCs Young Naturalist program, Nature
Alberta decided to follow the same path and created the Young Naturalists’ Club of Alberta in
2004.
27
PROGRESS
In 1995, Daphne Solecki of the BC Young Naturalist Club visited the RSPB HQ at Sandy, UK. The RSPB
was very generous with help, advice and materials and an invitation to make use of everything that
could be adapted to the local conditions of BC without further permission. The BC Nature Kids has
made full use of this generosity and passed it on to Nature Kids of Alberta who has benefited greatly
from the hard work that BC Nature Kids has done.
Nature Alberta also adapted the main elements of their program – outdoor explorations and
activities, action awards and a magazine - which evolved into (1) monthly Explorer Days Field trips;
(2) Action Awards (Bronze, Silver and Gold) for activities involving nature study, sharing knowledge,
outdoor exploration and community action; (3) NatureWILD, the only quarterly publication for
children with a focus on Alberta nature and environment.
TODAY
There are over 5 regional family-based clubs throughout Alberta, with more on the way, serving
over 400 children and their parents. Full insurance coverage is provided.
FUNDING
This will always be an area of concern, however, Nature Kids currently has generous funders that
continue to support this important. We are always looking to the future and for ways to grow and
improve the program, without “empire building” and any great demand for further funding.
FUTURE
Alberta, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have adapted the BC program to their regions and
interest has been shown by Saskatchewan and Ontario. Nature Canada is currently interested in
working on a young naturalist program and has cited the Young Naturalist Club of British Columbia
as a good model. We are looking forward to the establishment of a young naturalists’ network from
coast to coast.
"In the end, we will conserve only what we love,
we will love only what we understand,
and we will understand only what we are taught."
Baba Dioum
28
Appendix
1. Nature Kids Volunteer Leader Agreement - Role and Responsibilities
2. What Nature Kids Provides to Clubs
3. Explorer Day Field Trip Ideas
4. Explorer Day Checklist (Planning / Trip Day Details)
5.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Forms:
Informed Consent
Incident Report
Leader Information Form
New Member Information Form
Sign in Sheet
6. Samples
i. Guest-for-a-Day Pass Sheet
ii. Explorer Day Template
7. Some of our Favourite References on the Benefits of Time Spent In Nature
29
Nature Kids Volunteer Leader Agreement
Role and Responsibilities
 Fulfil Nature Kids Leader responsibilities as outlined in this manual and updated from time to
time by Nature Kids
 Create a supportive, welcoming club atmosphere for children and their families to explore
nearby nature
 Organize and run Explorer Day field trips that meet the Nature Kids Themes
 Share your enthusiasm for nature
 Model being a naturalist; demonstrate appropriate, respectful behaviour in the outdoors
 Help promote Nature Kids in your community and actively recruit new members
 Raise awareness and promote other Nature Kids activities and opportunities with your
members i.e. Action Awards Quest, Citizen Science and Stewardship projects
 Foster positive relationships with nature mentors in your community (e.g. Nature Alberta
Members, biologists and others)
I have read and understand the above and am in agreement with the Roles and Responsibilities as
outlined
Volunteer Leader Name (please print)
_______________________
Date
Signature
____________________________________
Club
_______________________
Received by
Please return to Nature Alberta:
Nature Kids of Alberta, Nature Alberta
11759 Groat Road, Edmonton, AB
T5M 3K6
30
Nature Kids will Provide Clubs with the Following Tools
Nature Kids Club Brochure
Membership list for your club
Nature Kids Membership for Leaders (renewed annually)
Leaders’ Manual and Welcome Package ID
Leader Resources and Support
Club First Aid Kit
Support for First Aid Training (funds permitting)
31
Explorer Day Field Trip Ideas
OUTDOORS
Bird watching
Looking at nests
Forest walks: bark, wildlife trees, leaf types
Nature journaling
Fungus search
Wildflower Walk
Tracking
Hunting for Fossils
Astronomy - evening outing
Night Hike – Owling
Orienteering
Wetland explore/ Ponding, dragonflies,
frogs
Overnight Camp
Geocaching
Survival in wilderness - building snow
caves
Looking for bees &
butterflies
Day Camp
Looking for snow fleas - other snow
explores
Why worms are important
Invasive plant removal
Local geology - rocks - minerals
Great Backyard Bird Count
(February)
Adopt a stream
program
Great Canadian Shoreline clean-up
(September)
Butterfly gardens
Spiders and webs (fall)
Visit local Bug Factory
Caving
Learning to sketch; nature note book
Environmental Games
Adopt-a-Raptor
program
Local wildlife rescue centre
INDOORS
Fossil or Mineral Museum
Mammals in winter
Build bird boxes, bat boxes, bird feeders,
mason bee homes, turtle/ water fowl
resting platforms
Snakes, salamanders, fish
etc (local society or fish
hatchery)
Inside a Beaver
Lodge
Visit local college or university biology/
invertebrate/ botany lab
Hug-a-Tree
(Search & Rescue
presentation)
Videos or slide shows
Presentations on bears, coyotes.......
talk & activities about bears, their habits,
tracks, scats and habitat
32
Explorer Day Checklist
a) Planning and Preparation

Plan and organize Explorer Days for the season or year (for assistance see
http://naturealberta.ca/youth/; Leaders Area)

Confirm Nature Mentors (NM) and dates; send Nature Mentor Tips

Email Explorer Day info and RVSP date (optional) to club members using email (or
telephone where applicable)

Email Explorer Day info to office prior to events for insurance purposes (send to
[email protected])

Use the Nature Kids Explorer Day poster template to advertise in your community / send info
to community listings in local paper/website (see Leader’s section of website)

Confirm member participants/ minimum numbers for the Explorer Day; answer any inquiries

Print the rest of the Explorer Day Checklist to take with you

Consider making permanent name tags with your members that they bring to each Explorer
Day.
NOTE:

At the end of January and July mail the office your Informed Consent forms or more
frequently if you prefer
33
Explorer Day Checklist
b) Before Leaving Home

Print and fill out a copy of the Informed Consent Form for the day of the field trip (see
Leader’s section of website); pack pens

Place Nature Kids Club First Aid Kit in your pack for the day; include a copy of the Incident
Report should it be needed

Prepare Nature Kids thank you card for the Nature Mentor (see Leader’s section of websiteNature Kids Admin Tab)

Bring plain stick-on address labels and marker to make name tag for Nature Mentor and
others as needed
c) Before Starting

Get mandatory signatures of all participants and Nature Mentor on the Informed Consent
Form for liability insurance, record of attendance, and photo release (attach any ‘Guest for
a Day’ coupons if applicable)

Encourage members to bring to Explorer Days and use at other environmentally focused
community events (parents can sign if forgotten / attend other events)

Make any Nature Kids announcements / present any awards

Review any safety info for the day/ announce where the Club First Aid Kit can be found /
review Explorer Day Etiquette

Welcome and introduce Nature Mentor (Optional: child members introduce themselves they can introduce their accompanying adult ~ this helps to reinforce that the focus is on
the children)
d) During / Wrap Up

Assist Nature Mentor as needed; take photos; remind members of appropriate behaviour as
needed. Have fun and share your enthusiasm for nature!

Thank Nature Mentor and give Nature Kids thank you card (Optional: get one of the
members to present)
e) Back at Home

Keep track of your monthly estimate of Nature Kids volunteer hours and email the number of
hours to [email protected]

If applicable, complete the Incident Report (see Leader’s area of website) or fax, scan and
email a hard copy to [email protected]

Send the office any photos of the Explorer Day for your Club page / awards presented for
NatureWILD magazine (*check photo permission on Informed Consent form).
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Nature Alberta, 11759 Groat Road, Edmonton, AB, T5M 3K6
INFORMED CONSENT FOR PARTICIPATION AND PHOTOGRAPH RELEASE
Activities during regularly scheduled meetings are organized according to set standards and
guidelines for activity management including supervision, training, equipment, and health matters.
During a regular meeting, your child may participate in activities, supervised by the custodial parent
or guardian, which may include, but are not limited to:
- activities (physical activities may involve hiking, walking, running, jumping, tossing, climbing;
indoors or outdoors)
- use of equipment (for science experiments, crafts, and games; water quality devices,
pocket knife, scissors, glue, markers)
- handling and measuring plants and animals, measuring devices, rulers, scales, microscopes)
I have read and understood the information provided with this form. I understand that there is a
degree of risk involved in some activities. After carefully considering all the risks involved, and having
full confidence that reasonable precautions will be taken for the safety and well-being of my
child/ward, l authorize my child/ward to participate in the activities at regular unit meetings as
described above. I agree to provide a completed Personal Health Form for my child/ward if current
form is not currently on record.
Name of child/ward:__________________________________________________________________________
Name of custodial parent or guardian:_________________________________________________________
Relationship to child/ward:____________________________________________________________________
Signature of custodial parent or guardian
Date
_____________________________________________
________________________________
Witnessed by
Date
_____________________________________________
________________________________
PHOTO RELEASE
Nature Kids has my expressed permission to use photographs of my child in their publications.
Signature of custodial parent or guardian
Date
_____________________________________________
________________________________
35
Incident Report Form
Date: _____________________
Club: _____________________________
Registered Leader:____________________________________________
Name and age of injured party(s):
____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Description of incident (including date, time, location, nature of injury/issue, reasons, etc.):
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Measures Taken:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Emergency personnel required?:
Yes
No
If so, explain
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Follow-up/results:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Signature (Leader):
_____________________________________
36
Witness (
):
___________________________________________
Leader Information Form
Club Location/Name: ______________________________________
Leader Name: _____________________________________________
Address:________________________________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number: (_____)_________________________________
E-Mail Address: ____________________________________________
May Nature Kids of Alberta contact you via E-mail:
 Yes, please contact me  No thanks
Birth Date (dd/mm/yyyy): _______/_______/_____________
Motivation or interest in volunteering with the Nature Kids:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Areas of expertise/interest:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Have you submitted a Police Records Check?
Yes
No
Do you have a current, basic first aid certificate? ___________________________________
Expiration date ___________________________________
I hereby certify that the information contained in this application is accurate.
Signature: __________________________
Date: ______________________________
37
New Member Information Form
Child’s Name___________________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Name _______________________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________________________________________
Home phone (_____)_______________________________ Cell phone (______)__________________________
Email _____________________________________
May Nature Kids contact you via email with information regarding membership and club events?
 Yes, please contact me
 No thanks
Name of Emergency Contact ___________________________________________________________________
Phone # of emergency contact person: (______)_____________________
Medical Health Card #_____________________________________________
Any known allergies_____________________________________________________________________________
Treatment of allergies___________________________________________________________________________
Is child’s tetanus shot up to date?
 Yes
 No
Any special instructions for leaders:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: ____________________________
Date:__________________________
38
39
40
Explorer Day Adventure
for children and families
Join us on….
Event Details Go Here
Location:
Date:
Time:
For More Information: Leader Contact Info
Goes Here
Join the Club!
Nature Kids Club is for children ages 3-12 and
their families. Hands-on outdoor adventures
with nature mentors, NatureWILD magazine
and more! Try an Explorer Day once for free,
then join the club for just $25/year per family.
For more information visit us online at www.naturealberta.ca/youth/
41
Some of our Favourite References on the Benefits of Time Spent In Nature
Louv, Richard. Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children from Nature -Deficit Disorder.
Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill. 2006
Balmford, A., Clegg, L., Coulson, T., & Taylor, J. “Why Conservationists Should Heed Pokémon.”
Science, 295(5564), 23672367, 2002.
BBC Wildlife Magazine: Environment at risk if children don't play 'wild'
www.bbcwildlifemagazine.com/newsread.asp?id=45018 July 2008
Chawla, Louise. “Learning to Love the Natural World Enough to Protect It,” in Barn nr. Norsk senter
for barneforskning. 2 2006:57 -58. © 2006
http://www.cnaturenet.org/02_rsrch_studies/PDFs/Chawla_LearningtoLove.pdf
Wells, N. M., & Lekies, K. S. “Nature and the life course: Pathways from childhood nature experiences
to adult environmentalism.” Children, Youth and Environments, 16(1). 2 2006:57 -58. © 2006 This
study is available online at:
http://www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/16_1/16_1_01_NatureAndLifeCourse.pdf
Pergams, O. R. W., & Zaradic, P. A. (2008).“Evidence for a fundamental and pervasive shift away
from nature-based recreation.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United
States of America, 105(7), 2295 -2300. (2008)
www.videophilia.org/uploads
Zaradic, P. A., & Pergams, O. R. W. Videophilia: Implications for childhood development and
conservation. The Journal of Developmental Processes, 2(1), 130-147. (2007).
http://www.videophilia.org/origins.html
Gov’t of Canada Report: Parks Canada Attendance 2004-2005 to 2008-2009
www.pc.gc.ca/eng/docs/pc/attend/table1.aspx?m=1
Roberts, D. F., Foehr, U., & Rideout, V. Generation M: Media in the Lives of 8 to 18 Year Olds.
Kaiser Family Foundation (2005) http://www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia030905pkg.cfm
Tandy, C.“Children's Diminishing Play Space: A Study of Intergenerational Change in Children's Use
of Their Neighborhoods.” Australian Geographical Studies, 37(2), 154 -164, (1999). (Institute of
Australian Geographers) www.iag.org.au/index.html#IAGPubs
Pilgrim, S. E., Cullen, L. C., Smith, D. J., & Pretty, J. “Ecological knowledge is lost in wealthier
communities and countries.” Environmental Science & Technology, 42(4), 1004-1009. (2008).
http://pubs.acs.org/
Wells, N.M. “At Home with Nature: Effects of ‘Greenness’ on Children’s Cognitive Functioning.”
Environment and Behavior. Vol. 32, No. 6, 775-795.
http://eab.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/32/6/775
Maller, C., Townsend, M., St.Leger, L., Henderson-Wilson, C., Pryor, A., Prosser, L., and Moore, M. “The
health benefits of contact with nature in a park context: A review of relevant literature.” Deakin
University and Parks Victoria. (2008).
Also see
Children and Nature Network (US)
www.childrenandnature.org/research
Child and Nature Alliance (Canada)
http://childnature.ca/
42