As their primary responsibility, Fellows can expect to spend two-thirds of their time teaching classes that are centered around hands-on, experiential, and inquiry-based learning using the BEETLES teaching methods. They get experience teaching a diversity of students from all around Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa with a large variety of backgrounds and perspectives.  Classes are typically three hours long and include subjects such as environmental science, natural history, challenge skills, and outdoor adventure. Additionally, fellows present a one-hour “naturalist program” to large groups in the evenings about twice a month.

When groups visit Eagle Bluff, Fellows serve as the primary Eagle Bluff representative.  This primarily public relations-oriented role involves coordinating the group’s schedule and cultivating personal connections with the students, chaperones, and teachers.  Liaising includes a variety of responsibilities from welcoming the group to Eagle Bluff, setting up evening activities, leading conservation challenges, and much more. In addition, the liaison remains on call throughout the nights when their group is in residence.

Fellows make the switch to camp counselors come June to run three to four of our 16 summer programs. Camps are overnight and typically a week long with an educational focus. From rock climbing to hunting to animal care, these adventurous and unique experiences are for campers entering grades 4–12.  Fellows get to create the experience by planning and leading a camp each summer.

Earn a Graduate Certificate of Environmental Education

The Fellowship community also serves as a graduate seminar cohort as Fellows participate in intensive training, graduate seminars, and one-on-one teaching observations throughout the year.  Seminar topics include courses in teaching techniques, natural history, program development, and interpretation.   The seminars and training complement the hands-on teaching experience and help Fellows develop their skills as environmental educators.

All Fellowship participants attend all seminars and trainings, but there is the option to receive graduate-level credits from Hamline University for seminar participation. Fellows may elect to take the seminars for credit to earn an Environmental Education certificate at a reduced rate through Hamline University. The cost of earning the full certificate (10 credits) is approximately $2,750. Seminars and credits include the following:

• Fundamentals of Environmental Education (3 credits)
• Natural History of Southeast Minnesota (3 credits)
• Principles of Interpretation (2 credits)
• Program Development (2 credits)

Individuals must have a college degree to receive the graduate credits, but it is not a requirement of the Fellowship program to have a college degree.

Certified Interpretive Guide

Fellows may also choose to become a Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) through the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) during a course run onsite. The CIG training also counts toward the EE Certificate (Principles of Interpretation). The cost of earning the CIG certificate is approximately $150.

Stipend and Amenities

Participants receive a $1,000/month stipend for living expenses and to use towards the cost of certifications. As additional compensation, housing is provided and meals are offered in the dining hall when visiting groups are in residence. Food staples are provided for use in the staff kitchen. In addition, we offer paid sick time and vacation days. Wi-Fi, free laundry, staff gear, and use of Eagle Bluff’s recreational equipment.

Housing

Fellows live in a private wing of the dormitory. Bedrooms are private with a bathroom/suite shared with one other person. Each room has a mattress and bed, desk, chair, lamp, and storage area. Fellows share a common living room, dining room, kitchen, and storage/work-out room. The kitchen is equipped with appliances, dishes, refrigerator, freezer, and dry food storage.

Application Details:

The Fellowship program runs from  August 12th 2024–August 1st, 2025. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis from February to May for the 2024–2025 cohort. You can find more specific information about the program at:

https://eaglebluffmn.org/fellowship/

To Apply please:

1. Email your resumé to: Cheryl Krage, Business Manager: cherylk@eaglebluffmn.org
2. Contact three professional references and direct them to our Online Reference Form (found on our website). It is your responsibility to make sure the references are completed in a timely manner.
3. Answer and submit the online application questions, also found on our website.