Junior Naturalist Program at Deering Estate

A five-day training course at the Deering Estate that encourages youth to take an active role in environmental stewardship and education and prepares them to serve as peer mentors. The course includes certifications in American Red Cross First Aid and Adult/Child CPR, in addition to an introduction to basic canoeing, South Florida ecosystems, and Leave No Trace.

This counselor-in-training program provides service-learning hours to participants and prepares the Junior Naturalist for experiences, internships, and other opportunities in environmental studies, natural sciences, nature-based recreation, and volunteerism. This course also allows youth to assist staff and enjoy being mentors to our Summer Camp participants during our Summer Camp Sessions after they have completed the week-long training.

After the training session has been completed, participants must be available to volunteer for an entire camp session (Monday through Friday) at a time. Volunteer scheduling will be assigned at the end of the Junior Naturalists training week, once the training has been completed.