Community Program Instructors

 
Class Proposal

Butterfly In Hand
North Mountain Park Nature Center, a division of APRC, aims to provide recreational and educational programs and events for all ages.  Our programs are taught by community experts, volunteers and professionals.

If you wish to submit a proposal as a paid or volunteer instructor, complete our online registration CLASS PROPOSAL form.

The general timeline for submittals is summarized below. For exact deadline dates please EMAIL

 
Seeking Programs on These Subjects
The Nature Center coordinates community education programs for all ages in topics relating to natural science, cultural history, gardening, nature crafts, sustainability.  We also appreciate creative proposals which engage the community in general outdoor recreation and nature emersion.

Features and Amenities
North Mountain Park consists of 14 acres of natural habitat along Bear Creek, demonstration gardens and a historic farm house which serves as the Center’s base of operations.  Facilities include an exhibit room, pavilion, amphitheater and demonstration gardens .
 
  • Nature Center Exhibit Room - Inside the Center, a large exhibit room, with a maximum capacity 25 people, is appropriate for presentations or hands-on activities.  This beautiful room contains maps, exhibits and a wall to mural of the surrounding bio-region. Chairs, tables, Wi-Fi, and a projector and screen are available for use. Instructors will be trained to enter and lock-up the Center when using the exhibit room after hours.
  • Pavilion - A covered pavilion is located near the Demonstration Gardens and overlooks Upper Pond.  Approximately 35 people can gather comfortably under the pavilion and stay protected from the rain.  Seven benches and two picnic tables are located in this area, and electrical outlets are available. 
  • Amphitheatre - The amphitheater is a semicircle of benches under two large oak trees.  Accessible via our wood-chipped trails, this rustic seating area makes a great outdoor gathering and teaching location. 
     
  • Historic Barn - Another covered teaching area can be found adjacent to the site’s historic barn.  This locale has hay-bale seating and a wooden work-bench for crafts or demonstrations.  Adjacent to the barn are compost bins, a small herb garden, a play water pump and a rustic coral.  Although there is no electricity at this location, a water spigot is available.  
  • Demonstration Gardens - Surrounding the Nature Center, the Demonstration and Heirloom gardens provide a resource for docent-led tours and educational programs about wildlife habitat and sustainable landscaping.  The Demonstration gardens are comprised of a native plant garden, two herb gardens, a butterfly garden, a reptile and amphibian garden, a humming bird garden and bird buffet. 
Scheduling
In addition to community programs, North Mountain Park hosts numerous field trips, pre-school programs, and site service activities.  When programs or field trips are not in session, members of the public are permitted to rent the pavilion or barn. We ask that instructors propose two potential dates for their courses and remain somewhat flexible during the initial scheduling process.
 
Contract and Scope of Work
You are free to set the minimum and maximum number of participants necessary to run the class.  Once your program is confirmed, and if your minimum is reached, we ask that you follow through on your commitment to teach.  
 
Licensing and Insurance
Many Nature Center programs are informal, educational classes offered once a season for an adult or family audience.  In such cases, insurance coverage is not required.  If however, your program involves direct supervision of children or significant risk to participants, you will be asked to provide proof of insurance coverage up to $2,000,000 in liability.  We also ask that you list the City of Ashland as “additional insured” on your policy.  A variety of short-term, event insurance options are available on-line.
 
Payment Arrangements
You may propose a fee for your program.  With your input, the fee will be approved and administered by our staff.  With the completion of a W-9, instructors receive 60% of all registration fees. 
  • Before your class, the Nature Center will take registrations for your program online, in person, and over the phone.  We will update you on how registration is progressing. 
  • During your class, you are welcome to take walk-ins, but all payments must be received and processed by the Nature Center.  
  • After the program, you will receive a check for 60% of all registration fees.  Please allow two weeks for processing.
Some instructors opt to volunteer their time in the service of the Nature Center’s mission.  We may set a minimal course fee, and we thank you for your service.
 
Advertising
We will design a flier for your class and post it at the Nature Center.  We are happy to print color fliers for you to distribute.  We ask that you send the flier to your contacts and poster widely throughout the community.
Our programs are marketed through the Parks and Recreation PlayGuide, the North Mountain Park Newsletter, several community calendars, local press outlets, partner organizations and social media.  
 
Program Evaluation
We ask that class participants complete brief (half page) surveys about their program experience.  A stack of surveys will be provided with your class roster.
You are responsible for administering and collecting these surveys after your program.
 
Submitting a Proposal
We produce three Community PlayGuides per year: Winter/Spring, Summer and Fall. Program proposals must be submitted in time to be included in the next PlayGuide. 
  • Winter/Spring Guides cover January to April; proposal deadline is late September
  • Summer Guides cover May to August; proposal deadline is early January
  • Fall Guides cover September to December: proposal deadline is late May 
Submission of a Class Proposal is NOT a guarantee that the class has been approved by APRC staff. A meeting with Jen Aguayo, Nature Center Coordinator, is required before the class is approved for the APRC Community PlayGuide . 

Primary Contact
For questions about Community Programs contact:
Jennifer Aguayo, 541-552-2473
 
 
Bac​k to Community Programs and Events at North Mountain Park
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