Open 361 Days a Year: Admissions 10:00am – 3:30pm; park closes at 4:30pm
Reservations are not required, and tickets do not need to be purchased online in advance.
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.
Summer Program
for youth ages 13-17 years old
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.
Complete projects and attend workdays to earn service hours for school and college applications, and gain experience for job applications.
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
The Young Naturalist program is full for 2023. Please check back in March 2024 for more information about the 2024 Young Naturalist program.
Please read the following criteria carefully to find out if you are eligible for this program before filling out and submitting the application.
1. Read the information letter.
The 2024 program information letter will be available in spring 2024.
2. Fill out a digital application and submit electronically.
Applications for 2023 are now closed.
Summer Program
for youth ages 14-17 years old
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.
Complete projects and attend workdays to earn service hours for school and college applications, and gain experience for job applications.
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
The Young Naturalist Shift Leader program is full for 2023. Please check back in March 2024 for more information about the 2024 Young Naturalist program.
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.
1. Read the information letter.
The 2024 program information letter will be available in spring 2024.
2. Fill out a digital application and submit electronically.
Applications for 2023 are now closed.
WNC Nature Center
75 Gashes Creek Road
Asheville, NC 28805
Getting Here
General Inquiries
828-259-8080
admin@wildwnc.org
Friends of the
WNC Nature Center
PO Box 19151
Asheville, NC 28815
828-259-8092
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