Stream clean up activities are very important for the environment and for the community. They best serve the community when volunteers are recruited from the neighborhood. It is critical therefore to make sure that those volunteers have a fun, successful and safe day. Sending out team leaders with groups of volunteers is the best way to make this happen. The same thing is true for any group working with volunteers outside. Whether is planting, seed collecting, nature journaling or birdwatching, it is best to have team leaders who have thought about how to respond to the many emergencies that may arise.
Fortunately, it is rare that volunteers run into problems but things do happen. Advanced Scouting helps prevent problems from arising in the first place. Well prepared team leaders can help volunteers avoid hazards and can address any problems that do occur.
Greenway Network’s Team Leader Academy seeks to establish a cadre of certified team leaders across the State of Missouri. A group of people ready and willing to assist in leading volunteer activities. The academy is focused on preparing team leaders for trash clean ups with volunteers. However, the basic special handling seminar is an invaluable resource for anyone working with volunteers in the outdoors.
Basic Team Leader Special Handling Seminar covers what to do when encountering hazards like barrels, drug paraphernalia and sharps in the outdoors. It also provides an over-view of issues like trespassing, poaching, pollution and medical emergencies. Participants leave with a packet of resources and specially equipped team leader backpack.
Team Leader Scouting Seminar is a hands-on day spent pre-scouting sites with expert scouts. Participants will learn how to estimate the volume of trash and the number of volunteers needed. They will also be on the look out for hazards that require special handling and will get a first hand look at how to deal with them. The second half of the day will be cleaning up a scouted site to compare the estimate with real world results.
Team Leader Capstone Experience is leading a group of volunteers on one of the sites that were scouted previously. Post scouting and a follow up discussion will be a critical component of this exercise.
Schedule for the 2024 Team Leader Academy
February 24 Team Leader Special Handling Seminar, 9 am – 4 pm. Cape Girardeau Nature Center, MO, Lunch provided. Team Leader Backpacks or dry boxes from Alpine Shop given upon completion.
March 9 Team Leader Scouting Seminar, 9 am – 3 pm. Columbia Bottom Nature Area. Lunch Provided. Dress for the weather. Wear sturdy shoes. Bring a water bottle and gloves.
March 23 North City/County Capstone Clean Up, 7 am – 3 pm. Columbia Bottom Nature Area. Breakfast and lunch provided. Dress for the weather. Wear Sturdy shoes. Bring a water bottle, gloves and your team leader backpack.