FOCR Education Volunteer Training

Friends of the Chicago River is looking for volunteers to assist full-time staff on education field trips for K-12 and college students to a wide variety of sites in the Chicago-Calumet River system. Volunteer your time to inspire curiosity, stewardship, and river protection. Help foster the next generation of environmental leaders to take action towards a healthy, climate-resilient river system for all.

Training will cover how to assist a Friends staff member on field trips for K-12 and college students to the Chicago-Calumet River—including macroinvertebrate sampling, water quality monitoring, ecology/nature exploration and habitat restoration activities.

10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Northeastern Illinois University
5500 North St. Louis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625
Bernard Brommel Hall (Arts & Sciences), Room BBH-308
View a campus map
Follow rules for on campus parking.
Free parking on N. St. Louis Ave.
CTA bus on Foster.

12:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at River Park
5129 North Albany Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625
River access is in the park near the intersection of Albany and Carmen by the playground

Transportation from NEIU to River Park is not provided (there is a Foster Ave. bus)
Lunch will be provided from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

Dress for the weather, bring a water bottle, and be prepared to wear hip waders (provided) to get into the river. A change of socks and pants is recommended.

View the full Education Volunteer Description here.

After training, prospective volunteers will:

• Officially sign on as an Education Volunteer
• Enroll as a Level II CPS Volunteer
• Pass a background check to work with youth

Founded in 1996, the Chicago-Calumet River Schools Network (CRSN) empowers Chicago-area K-12 teachers in essential science-based curricula. Friends teaches students and trains educators by using our river system as a living classroom to explore STEM topics as well as a range of subjects from history to language arts. It utilizes inquiry and place-based learning to increase empathy and understanding and immerses students in the physical and mental benefits of learning in nature.