Orientation for One-to-One Volunteers in Art & Science at Compass

You are registering for an orientation by phone on Monday, July 23 that will be between 10 and 15 minutes long. After you register, you will be phoned on Monday. You may request a time other than 9:00–9:30 in the notes section of the registration form.

We have limited spots available in the program.

The program sessions begin with a two-hour training on Tuesday, July 24, to which you will be asked to bring a Photo ID and complete paperwork to register for the program.

This volunteer orientation is the first step in joining Art & Science at Compass, a program in which members of the community learn nature journaling techniques and then volunteer as individual coaches for a class of fourth-grade public school students as they develop their own nature journal. After orientation, you will attend a training with drawing instructor Erica Beade. Thereafter you will be guided to work with your student partner one-to-one over the course of three 2-hour sessions. The sessions are structured, supervised, and coordinated by Cambridge School Volunteers, with the Compass Program teaching staff also present.

FAQs

What is Art & Science at Compass?

Art & Science at Compass provides one-to-one volunteer mentors in outdoor nature journaling for a classroom of fourth-graders in the Summer Compass Program of the Cambridge Public Schools, to develop basic science skills of observation and recording. Read more about the Summer Compass Program here.

How do I sign up?
To register for the program, you must attend a one-hour program orientation/registration session. Choose an orientation date from the drop-down menu above. The program coordinator will contact you by phone prior to the orientation to discuss the program and registration requirements.

What is the time commitment?
Volunteers commit to attending this 1-hour orientation plus four 2-hour sessions, on: Tues. July 24; Tues., July 31; Thurs., August 2; and Tues., August 7. All sessions begin promptly at 9:15 a.m. and end at 11:15 a.m.

Who are the students? Will I have one student?
The students in the program are all Cambridge Public Schools fourth-graders, from all over the school district, who are enrolled in the Summer Compass Program sited at Tobin Montessori School. Each volunteer in the program is paired with a single student for the duration of the program.

Can I help if I’ve never worked in a school?
Yes! You do not have to have prior experience as a tutor or teacher.

What about training?
Training is required to participate in the program and will be held on July 24.

Do I need to provide references or have a CORI check?
Yes. Please download the Elementary Reference Form and bring two copies with you to your orientation. Your references should be individuals who have known you for at least one year. One may be a personal reference but the other should be a person who knows you in some professional capacity. Also, bring a government-issued photo ID (drivers license or passport) for a CORI (criminal record) check, which will be started at your orientation session.