Teen Programs

The WNC Nature Center offers opportunities for teens to volunteer and gain experience working with animals, interacting with visitors, and learning about the wildlife of the Southern Appalachians.

The Young Naturalist program is a large, long-standing teen program that runs through the summer where teens can make friends, make memories, and make a difference while developing leadership skills.

Young Naturalists

Summer Program
for youth ages 13-17 years old

Connect & Learn

Learn and educate others about the native plants and animals of the South Appalachians while developing your personal connection to nature. Lead dynamic nature-themed activities for Nature Center guests to support the Nature Center’s mission and your own personal professional journey.

Earn Service Hours

Complete projects and attend workdays to earn service hours for school and college applications, and gain experience for job applications.

Leadership Experience

Get a taste of leadership and responsibility while practicing your communication, interpretation, and social skills. For a deeper leadership experience, teens have the opportunity to apply for a Young Naturalist Shift Leader position.

QUESTIONS?
Teen Program Coordinator
ccochran@ashevillenc.gov

Please read the following criteria carefully to find out if you are eligible for this program before filling out and submitting the application.

Qualifications to become a Young Naturalist for 2023:

Be between 13 and 17 years of age on June 10, 2023.
Submit a completed application and a completed Parent Liability Release Form by Friday, April 21, 2023 at 5 pm.
Be excited to try new things and embrace the unknown.
Be willing to follow the rules of the Nature Center and this program.
Have an enthusiastic attitude and plan to have fun!

How to become a Young Naturalist:

1. Read the Information Letter:

2. Fill out a digital application and submit electronically. Applications are due by 5 pm on April 21, 2023.

Young Naturalist Application

1. Applicants will completely fill out the application.

2. Applicants will click the ‘Signature Here’ field above the ‘Applicant Signature’ line and use the pop-up window to sign.

3. Press the yellow ‘Finalize and Submit’ button and use the pop-up window to enter the applicant’s parent/guardian information (full name and email). Press Continue.

4. Ask the parent/guardian to check their email from SeamlessDocs and finish signing the application.

5. Your application is complete and you will hear from the Teen Program Coordinator in May.

Young Naturalist
Shift Leaders

Summer Program
for youth ages 14-17 years old

Connect & Learn

Earn Service Hours

Complete projects and attend workdays to earn service hours for school and college applications, and gain experience for job applications.

Leadership Experience

Get a deeper feeling of what it is like to be in a leadership role. Shift leaders will lead Young Naturalists in their shift duties, assist in behind-the-scenes duties of running a program, help maintain Nature Center grounds, and develop a special project.

QUESTIONS?
Teen Program Coordinator
ccochran@ashevillenc.gov

Please read the following criteria carefully to find out if you are eligible for this program before filling out and submitting the application.

Previous experience in the Young Naturalist program is preferred, but applicants who are new to the Nature Center are eligible to apply. Applicants will be evaluated by their application, letters of recommendation, and previous volunteer experience, if applicable. Due to the size of the program, only 8 applicants can be accepted into the Shift Leader role. Anyone who applies and is not accepted into the Shift Leader position will be eligible to join the Young Naturalist cohort and is encouraged to apply for the Shift Leader position again in the future.

Qualifications to become a Young Naturalist Shift Leader for 2023:

Be between 14 and 17 years of age on June 10, 2023.
Be available on a weekly basis for the duration of the Young Naturalist program (June 10 to August 15).
Submit a completed application and a completed Parent Liability Release Form by Friday, April 21, 2023 at 5 pm.
Pay close attention to detail and follow directions.
Work independently on assigned tasks.
Be excited to try new things and embrace the unknown.
Be willing to follow the rules of the Nature Center and this program.
Have an enthusiastic attitude and plan to have fun!

How to become a Young Naturalist Shift Leader:

1. Read the Information Letter:

2. Fill out a digital application and submit electronically. Applications are due by 5 pm on April 21, 2023.

Young Naturalist Shift Leader Application

1. Applicants will completely fill out the application.

2. Applicants will click the ‘Signature Here’ field above the ‘Applicant Signature’ line and use the pop-up window to sign.

3. Press the yellow ‘Finalize and Submit’ button and use the pop-up window to enter the applicant’s parent/guardian information (full name and email). Press Continue.

4. Ask the parent/guardian to check their email from SeamlessDocs and finish signing the application.

5. Another pop-up window will appear where you will upload a letter of recommendation. Upload the letter and press continue.

6. Your application is complete and you will hear from the Teen Program Coordinator in May.

Teen Programs

Young Naturalists

Connect & Learn

Earn Service Hours

Leadership Experience

Qualifications to become a Young Naturalist for 2023:

How to become a Young Naturalist:

Young Naturalist Shift Leaders

Connect & Learn

Earn Service Hours

Leadership Experience

Qualifications to become a Young Naturalist Shift Leader for 2023:

How to become a Young Naturalist Shift Leader:

Young Naturalist
Shift Leaders