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Become a Field Institute Instructor

Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s Field Institute is always looking for exceptional instructors with expertise in a wide range of disciplines to develop new and exciting courses. If you have an idea for a course, let’s talk!

Hiking

Field Institute courses offer a unique, in-depth educational experience for adults, with a focus on spending time outdoors in Rocky Mountain National Park’s diverse learning environments. We provide world-class courses, led by talented instructors with a variety of professional and educational backgrounds. We work with artists, scientists, educators, writers, rangers, outdoor professionals, and expert “amateurs” who are committed to sharing their knowledge, skills, and expertise with others who love Rocky Mountain National Park and wild lands.

Single day Field Institute courses are typically four to eight hours long. Multi-day courses usually happen over two or three consecutive days. Some courses begin or end with a classroom session, while others take place entirely outdoors in Rocky Mountain National Park and other public lands.

Sample course topics include:

  • Cultural and natural history of Rocky Mountain National Park and the neighboring communities, including Grand Lake and Estes Park
  • Outdoor skills: birding, tracking, fly-fishing, plein air arts, photography, and beyond
  • Natural science topics related to RMNP: botany, geology, wildlife biology, ecology, etc.

If you’re interested in leading a Field Institute course with Rocky Mountain Conservancy, please reach out to the Education Manager at education@RMConservancy.org. Please include your name, phone number, proposed course topic/title, brief description of the course, and whether your course would take place on the East or West side of Rocky Mountain National Park.

We are currently accepting course proposals for the summer 2025 Field Institute season. Summer courses must be confirmed with Field Institute staff by October 31, 2024.

Rocky Mountain Conservancy’s Responsibilities:

The Field Institute Coordinator will work with potential instructors to set an agenda and develop a syllabus for each course. We will handle all the logistics, including:

  • Marketing via the Conservancy website, Eventbrite, social media, print media, and other channels
  • Managing participant registration and communication, including sending course information and updates to participants
  • Securing entry permits and fee waivers for Rocky Mountain National Park or other public lands as necessary
  • Reserving classroom space in Estes Park or Grand Lake and providing presentation technology
  • Providing transportation (including a driver) for participants and the instructor
  • Providing safety equipment for the group
  • Printing and distributing course materials to participants
  • Collecting feedback from participants and Conservancy staff, and sharing relevant feedback with instructors

Instructor Responsibilities:

Field Institute Instructors are responsible for developing and delivering the course content, with support from Rocky Mountain Conservancy. Instructors are expected to:

  • Outline learning objectives and course activities
  • Provide a list of required equipment for participants
  • Develop a thorough and engaging lesson plan for adult learners
  • Communicate any material needs, such as a screen and projector or field equipment, to the Field Institute Coordinator
  • Deliver high-quality educational programming to the group
  • Participate actively in the course evaluation process and be responsive to feedback

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Sample Course Agenda:

Seminar

8:00 – 8:15 a.m. – Check in at the classroom or travel together to the first field location

8:15 – 8:30 a.m. – Introductions and course expectations

8:30 – 10:00 a.m. – Field session OR Illustrated classroom lecture

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Break, travel to the next location

10:30 a.m. – 12 noon – Field session

12:00 – 12:30 p.m. – Lunch break in the field (full-day courses) OR Wrap up discussion, course concludes (half-day courses)

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Field session

2:00 – 2:15 p.m. – Break, travel to the next location

2:15 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. – Field session

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Wrap up discussion, course concludes

Email education@RMConservancy.org or call 970-586-3262 if you’re interested in becoming a Field Institute Instructor!

 

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