Welcome, Natural Leaders instructor!
You make it possible for students to have an amazing experience of encountering nature, of making friends and gaining a deeper knowledge of themselves.
The greater your own breadth and depth of knowledge and personal development, the more you will be able to share with participants.
We are excited for you to grow with us!
The greater your own breadth and depth of knowledge and personal development, the more you will be able to share with participants.
We are excited for you to grow with us!
Safety and Skills
At it's most basic level, your role is to be a life-guard that makes sure nobody gets lost or seriously injured. Or if someone does get hurt, that you can provide effective first aid and get help.
Since we are outside in all weather, it is also very important that you can quickly get a tarp set up, and start a fire, even in rainy weather.
Since we are outside in all weather, it is also very important that you can quickly get a tarp set up, and start a fire, even in rainy weather.
- Safety page
- Learn the knife safety rules
- Understand about widow-makers:
- Exercise 1 - Find 3 widowmakers when you are out on a hike. Look for rotten or suspended branches on trees, and also standing dead trees that look ready to fall over.
- Exercise 2: Identify 3 large tulip poplar trees and see if you can find some widow-makers on them.
- Yellow-jackets and bald-faced hornets
- Ticks - carefully review this page, and come up with a plan for your own safety. Will you have someone that can check your hair for ticks every evening, or can you do so with the aid of a mirror?Will you be using picaridin or permethrin? Feel free to ask us about this.
- 1-match fire - practice a few times, how fast can you do it? Try going out after a rainy day when thing are still wet, can you get a fire going? It will be especially important on cold, rainy days that you can reliable get a good fire going under a tarp to keep students warm.
- Tree ID exercise: find and identify these sources of good kindling for fire-starting. Where do they like to grow?
- red cedar
- spicebush
- mountain laurel
- red maple
- river birch
- Tarps - practice finding a good location and pitching a tarp.
- Tinder - make a tinder bundle out of tulip poplar bark. Light it with a ferro rod if you have one.
- Survival pottery - see if you can find some wild clays, make some small test pots, dry and fire them.
- Survival shelter - build a small survival shelter. How long does it take? What challenges did you encounter.
- Cordage - make some cordage out of grass or other fibers (you might also search Youtube for more, better videos on making it). You can even practice this skill with plastic grocery bags at home to get started...
How to plan out the day!
The Natural Leaders homeschool program was created by reverse-engineering and delegating the instructor's various roles to individual students. As a new instructor, you should learn, practice, and continually improve at each of these roles, shown below.
During our Summer Programs, you will be the primary person fulfilling these roles. During the homeschool program, being capable, confident and experienced with these will help you better mentor and facilitate students leading them.
During our Summer Programs, you will be the primary person fulfilling these roles. During the homeschool program, being capable, confident and experienced with these will help you better mentor and facilitate students leading them.
The following is excerpted from our Homeschool program description here. You should review and practice each of these roles:
Each student is expected to review the relevant online resources in the LEARN! section of this website, and then lead his or her role in the field. Leadership roles include:
A typical day features exploring, group games, story-telling and a skills challenge. See the Coordinator page for more on this topic and an example of a typical day's schedule.
To go much deeper into the theory and practice behind our approach, get the book Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature.
Each student is expected to review the relevant online resources in the LEARN! section of this website, and then lead his or her role in the field. Leadership roles include:
- Coordinator - How to plans and execute the day's schedule
- Storyteller - How to learn, practices and present a story
- Safety Officer - Training you how to identify typical natural hazards of our area
- Navigator - How to lead the group using map and compass - a critical safety skill.
- Field Reporter - How to create a brief report about the day that goes out to parents
- Photographer - How to take good pictures of the day's activities for parents, website, etc.
- Master of Games - Our extensive menu of games, with videos. Very important and helpful.
- Skills coach - Learn and practice hard skills that you can teach students.
A typical day features exploring, group games, story-telling and a skills challenge. See the Coordinator page for more on this topic and an example of a typical day's schedule.
To go much deeper into the theory and practice behind our approach, get the book Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature.
Summer weather! How to navigate and make decisions
While weather forecasts will often predict storms, it is actually rare for us to have actual thunderstorms during program hours (in the greater DC area).
Typically, the day before, the forecast will show a possiblity of storms from 2 - 7 pm. On the day of, the forecast tends to shift later, with storms arriving around 4 or 5, or not at all.
In the 2020 summer season, and previous seasons, we did not have any scheduling changes due to weather, although there were a few times that groups were caught in brief storms.
Weather related decision making is something of an art, and requires considering many different factors. Don't hesitate to contact and seek support from admin to navigate the decision making process, especially when you are first getting started.
The day(s) before:
If you see concerning weather forecast for the next day - even if it says 100% chance of thunderstorms or a hurricane - we would not usually change the schedule just yet, but would announce a weather watch to parents by email.
It is very common for the morning forecast to be quite different from the previous night's, and it allows us to make a better-informed decision.
In this email, we would explain what we are observing, and perhaps explain the kinds of actions we might take in response, and then specify a time in the morning that we will update about our plans. In general, you should aim to update parents at least 2 hours before the program start time, so that they have time to get kids ready and bring them.
See the sample/template below, which you can borrow and modify as appropriate:
Typically, the day before, the forecast will show a possiblity of storms from 2 - 7 pm. On the day of, the forecast tends to shift later, with storms arriving around 4 or 5, or not at all.
In the 2020 summer season, and previous seasons, we did not have any scheduling changes due to weather, although there were a few times that groups were caught in brief storms.
Weather related decision making is something of an art, and requires considering many different factors. Don't hesitate to contact and seek support from admin to navigate the decision making process, especially when you are first getting started.
The day(s) before:
If you see concerning weather forecast for the next day - even if it says 100% chance of thunderstorms or a hurricane - we would not usually change the schedule just yet, but would announce a weather watch to parents by email.
It is very common for the morning forecast to be quite different from the previous night's, and it allows us to make a better-informed decision.
In this email, we would explain what we are observing, and perhaps explain the kinds of actions we might take in response, and then specify a time in the morning that we will update about our plans. In general, you should aim to update parents at least 2 hours before the program start time, so that they have time to get kids ready and bring them.
See the sample/template below, which you can borrow and modify as appropriate:
Subject line: Weather watch for tomorrow
Greetings! The current forecast shows a possibility of storms tomorrow. This means they expect rain-storms to appear, not necessarily that there will be any lightning. In rainy weather we usually set up a tarp in an area away from standing dead trees or limbs, and get a fire going beneath it. We've found that the forecast often shifts favorably overnight, and it's better to make a decision in the morning. I will email you by 8 am if there are any changes to the schedule, like early pick-up. Otherwise, please just be sure to provide a light rain-jacket, and to bring a change of dry clothing when picking up your child. See you soon! |
Morning of the program:
After reviewing the weather sources carefully in the morning, and weighing the site-specific contingency options, email the group your updated plan for the day by the pre-arranged time.
During the program:
Continue to check on the forecast occasionally. If lightning is a concern, you can monitor the Spark app to see where there are cells that have lightning, and if any look like they could come your way.
Also, you can monitor the radar and the sky for indications that a storm cell might be approaching, and be sure to move near your preferred shelter options in advance, as appropriate.
After reviewing the weather sources carefully in the morning, and weighing the site-specific contingency options, email the group your updated plan for the day by the pre-arranged time.
During the program:
Continue to check on the forecast occasionally. If lightning is a concern, you can monitor the Spark app to see where there are cells that have lightning, and if any look like they could come your way.
Also, you can monitor the radar and the sky for indications that a storm cell might be approaching, and be sure to move near your preferred shelter options in advance, as appropriate.
Monitoring the weather:
Weather Underground (Website & App) - Provides a great deal of data in an easy to read format, for 10 days, and on an hourly basis. It's what I use most of the time.
Weather Bug (Website & App) - The App is great for hourly forecast on the day of, and also has a useful Spark feature, where you can see where and when lightning is happening. I also use the radar in this app.
Radar - you can look at the radar animation to see the direction that storm cells are moving, and if any electrically active ones are coming toward you.
Area Forecast Discussion (aka Scientific Forecast Discussion) - if the forecast indicates unsettled weather, I like to monitor this; for my area I just search for "area forecast discussion dc." This is where we can get a better idea of the areas likely to be most affected, and if there is (or is not) concern that storms will bring wind, heavy rain, lightning, hail or tornados.
Situational Awareness! - Keep in mind that the apps are only approximating, and they are forecasting for a specific weather station, which is probably a few miles away from you. You might get hit by something that misses the station, or vice-versa. This is where the live radar is very useful.
Pay close attention to darkening skies, changes in the wind, the growth or arrival of big puffy clouds, and rumbles of thunder. These are your cues to move the group to your safest available location.
Watch the clouds carefully and determine what direction they are coming from, cloud-layer upwind.
If you hear lightning, is it coming from cloud-layer upwind - towards you? Or is it coming from a cell that is across wind, and will probably just slide past your area?
Weather hazards:
Lightning - The deadliest weather feature in our area. If possible, go inside an actual building, or have kids enter vehicles, if it is present, although the benefit of picnic shelters is questionable. Another strategy is to find low ground, if available, and to avoid the taller trees in the area. Fortunately, we can usually avoid lightning storms, and even if we are hit by a storm, are unlikely to get hit by lightning.
Wind - The big concern is falling branches and trees. Read more about widowmakers here. Part of your planning process for windy, rainy days is to have special areas determined in advance where you can pitch a tarp with relative ease, in an area that you've already determined not to be under trees or branches that are likely to fall. Avoid large tulip poplars, especially if you cannot see the crown through the understory of smaller trees.
Derecho, wind gusts - Through advanced monitoring of the weather, you should be prepared to take shelter from severe winds. These are often at the leading edge of an approaching storm. Look for areas away from widowmakers, and ideally where a slope blocks the wind.
Tornados - these are very rare in our area. They are said to sound like an approaching freight train. If possible, go inside a house, preferably in a basement. If not possible, look for a low lying area, ideally a narrow ditch, a pit from a fallen tree, or other site that provides shelter from flying objects and away from likely widowmakers.
Hail - The threat of hail is only a fraction of that from lightning, with only a handful of U.S. deaths over the last century (source). That being said, you should seek shelter under canopy, a tarp or man-made structure if available.
Rain - The main dangers are cold, and widowmakers. Standing rotten wood can absorb water and be more likely to fall during or after ample rain. During prolonged, heavy rains, the ground can become so soft that root systems can fail and entire trees fall over. If and when rain is prolonged, students that get wet (especially smaller ones, that are underdressed) can start to shiver. Bringing emergency mylar blankets, and/or lighting a fire under a tarp, can keep kids warm, and support morale.
Weather Underground (Website & App) - Provides a great deal of data in an easy to read format, for 10 days, and on an hourly basis. It's what I use most of the time.
Weather Bug (Website & App) - The App is great for hourly forecast on the day of, and also has a useful Spark feature, where you can see where and when lightning is happening. I also use the radar in this app.
Radar - you can look at the radar animation to see the direction that storm cells are moving, and if any electrically active ones are coming toward you.
Area Forecast Discussion (aka Scientific Forecast Discussion) - if the forecast indicates unsettled weather, I like to monitor this; for my area I just search for "area forecast discussion dc." This is where we can get a better idea of the areas likely to be most affected, and if there is (or is not) concern that storms will bring wind, heavy rain, lightning, hail or tornados.
Situational Awareness! - Keep in mind that the apps are only approximating, and they are forecasting for a specific weather station, which is probably a few miles away from you. You might get hit by something that misses the station, or vice-versa. This is where the live radar is very useful.
Pay close attention to darkening skies, changes in the wind, the growth or arrival of big puffy clouds, and rumbles of thunder. These are your cues to move the group to your safest available location.
Watch the clouds carefully and determine what direction they are coming from, cloud-layer upwind.
If you hear lightning, is it coming from cloud-layer upwind - towards you? Or is it coming from a cell that is across wind, and will probably just slide past your area?
Weather hazards:
Lightning - The deadliest weather feature in our area. If possible, go inside an actual building, or have kids enter vehicles, if it is present, although the benefit of picnic shelters is questionable. Another strategy is to find low ground, if available, and to avoid the taller trees in the area. Fortunately, we can usually avoid lightning storms, and even if we are hit by a storm, are unlikely to get hit by lightning.
Wind - The big concern is falling branches and trees. Read more about widowmakers here. Part of your planning process for windy, rainy days is to have special areas determined in advance where you can pitch a tarp with relative ease, in an area that you've already determined not to be under trees or branches that are likely to fall. Avoid large tulip poplars, especially if you cannot see the crown through the understory of smaller trees.
Derecho, wind gusts - Through advanced monitoring of the weather, you should be prepared to take shelter from severe winds. These are often at the leading edge of an approaching storm. Look for areas away from widowmakers, and ideally where a slope blocks the wind.
Tornados - these are very rare in our area. They are said to sound like an approaching freight train. If possible, go inside a house, preferably in a basement. If not possible, look for a low lying area, ideally a narrow ditch, a pit from a fallen tree, or other site that provides shelter from flying objects and away from likely widowmakers.
Hail - The threat of hail is only a fraction of that from lightning, with only a handful of U.S. deaths over the last century (source). That being said, you should seek shelter under canopy, a tarp or man-made structure if available.
Rain - The main dangers are cold, and widowmakers. Standing rotten wood can absorb water and be more likely to fall during or after ample rain. During prolonged, heavy rains, the ground can become so soft that root systems can fail and entire trees fall over. If and when rain is prolonged, students that get wet (especially smaller ones, that are underdressed) can start to shiver. Bringing emergency mylar blankets, and/or lighting a fire under a tarp, can keep kids warm, and support morale.
Managing Group Dynamics
Behavior management policy:
Generally speaking after the first incident of concerning behavior that could lead to future dismissal, we start by telling the parent at the end of the day, and informing them that if it reoccurs, we may ask them to stay home and miss a day.
If the problem behavior persists after that, then we may likely need them to discontinue the program.
That is the general sequence. Of course the application is more nuanced and contextual, and we can always discuss other strategies to help prevent escalation of problems and consequences.
At each milestone, the Director of Operations should be notified so that he or she can also weigh in and perhaps help advise on ways to mitigate.
In general, it is very rare that anyone has been asked to miss a day or leave the program, and there are more constructive and commonly used approaches we can discuss, but if needed, we can and do take such measures.
Don't be shy to seek help
When you are first starting to work with kids, it can be very helpful to talk through any challenges you are experiencing with a more experienced instructor or admin.
Proactive approach for helping students improve behavior/habits
Here is a playlist describing the Charlotte Mason method, used in certain schools and some homeschoolers. The following are the most directly relevant to us, although other sections might also be interesting.
Generally speaking after the first incident of concerning behavior that could lead to future dismissal, we start by telling the parent at the end of the day, and informing them that if it reoccurs, we may ask them to stay home and miss a day.
If the problem behavior persists after that, then we may likely need them to discontinue the program.
That is the general sequence. Of course the application is more nuanced and contextual, and we can always discuss other strategies to help prevent escalation of problems and consequences.
At each milestone, the Director of Operations should be notified so that he or she can also weigh in and perhaps help advise on ways to mitigate.
In general, it is very rare that anyone has been asked to miss a day or leave the program, and there are more constructive and commonly used approaches we can discuss, but if needed, we can and do take such measures.
Don't be shy to seek help
When you are first starting to work with kids, it can be very helpful to talk through any challenges you are experiencing with a more experienced instructor or admin.
Proactive approach for helping students improve behavior/habits
Here is a playlist describing the Charlotte Mason method, used in certain schools and some homeschoolers. The following are the most directly relevant to us, although other sections might also be interesting.
- Introduction - Persons or Products (Chapter 1)
- Training Good Habits (Chapter 11)
- Building a Working Alliance (Chapter 12)
- Establishing a Strategy (Chapter 13)