Japanese Garden Lead Volunteer

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Recruit schools, home schools, scout troops, community groups and Book Field trip teaching assistants.
Work with the foundation liaison, college public relations staff, and Japanese Garden social media coordinator (volunteer) to publicize opportunities for organizations and recruit volunteers. Respond through email and phone calls. Arrange speaking engagements for garden volunteers.We begin booking in February for the 2022 season. Typically, our groups are 2nd grade - 6th grade school, extended day or scout groups. They'll get an introduction to Japanese gardens and how they compare with other perennial gardens. They'll tour our garden using a discovery tour based on the coloring book Garden of Many Parts--a new Normandale Japanese Garden Committee publication. During mid-summer, we'll probably have a group from the college STEM camp for middle school girls. Field trips are reserved in advance and are offered free of charge. We encourage donations (suggested $2-5 per person). We encourage their teachers and parents to purchase the coloring books to reinforce what they learn. They are available for a $10 donation (less if purchased in bulk). Teaching assistants need to arrive 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled time to help me with set up and they will remain for thirty minutes afterward to help with take down. Training is arranged through the Education Coordinator (a volunteer position). Summer programs "Show & Tell Sundays" series--Val Wagner began this in 2016 to celebrate the Garden's 40th year. It is a series that highlights the garden's elements. Val did monthly programs, starting with a program about our Cherry Trees on Sunday, April 17, 2016. She had uncanny luck in that the trees burst into blossom on April 17 that year! Other topics were the Koi, the Bentendo, shelters and lanterns; the waterfall, bridges and islands; and artfully pruned trees and shrubs. When we did not repeat the series in 2017, we got several inquiries and comments urging us to do it again. Last year, a couple of Committee members shared the Sundays. If you are knowledgeable about the garden and want to lead a program or two, let me know. If your Sundays are not available, a Saturday morning series might be appreciated. Talk to education coordinator about your idea, please! We continue to offer the Saturday Round Shelter programs: "Imagine Japan!" for families. This is similar to, but shorter than the field trip program And are offered from 10:30-noon on second Saturdays throughout the summer and early fall free.I have selected five dates. We don't require reservations and we offer the program at no charge. (As we do with tour groups, we promote donations and offer the two types of books available at the suggested donation rate of $15-history or $10--coloring per book.) If you want to help us, I encourage you to do so. Sharing the garden with children in this way is the most fun I have had as a garden volunteer!

COVID-19 restrictions: Normandale Community College will review and adjust these as needed. Currently there is no mask mandate but smaller tour groups and physical distancing is encouraged.