Kline Creek Farm Volunteer Opportunities

Kline Creek Farm

Volunteer Forms | Nature Workday Schedule | The Spirit

Individual and family volunteers are invited to step back in time and re-create life in the 1890s at Kline Creek Farm, the District's living-history farm in Winfield. At the Timber Ridge Visitor Center, volunteers welcome guests and work at the gift shop. Other volunteers, dressed in authentic clothing of the period, experience life on the farm in the late 19th century in areas such as domestic arts, blacksmithing, agriculture and carpentry. These volunteers may plant a kitchen garden, can vegetables in the summer kitchen or collect eggs from the chicken coop. Some may care for livestock, assist with tours of the barn and outbuildings, or enthrall guests during themed weekends. Experience the life and times of 1890's rural living in DuPage County as a volunteer at Kline Creek Farm. Applications are due for all programs by April 1, 2008.

Agricultural Demonstrator:

To assist agricultural staff with care of farm livestock, maintenance of agricultural facilities, equipment and program. To assist farm visitors in learning about the agricultural history of DuPage County through the activities and interpretation of the agricultural program.

Responsibilities:

Many of the activities that the Agricultural volunteers participate in are physically strenuous and often occur in extremes of heat and cold. The type and nature of agricultural activities varies, as do the frequency, some of the activities that agricultural volunteers are often asked to assist with are:

Feeding the cattle, horses, sheep and chickens
Take the initiative in engaging guests in conversation
Cleaning water tanks
Mending and building fences
Cleaning barns, stalls or coop
Mixing feed
Shelling corn
Corn husking and shocking
Grooming horses
Repairing and maintaining historic farm equipment
Pasture maintenance
Assist in training and fitting livestock for shows, fairs and sales
Assist with horse drawn activities

Requirements:

Must be at least 14 years old
Good listening and verbal communication skills
Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions
Able to present information on a variety of topics including livestock, animal care, 19th century agricultural practices and techniques, 19th century vernacular architecture, etc.
Capable of lifting up to 50 lbs
Must be able to climb ladders and stairs safely
Learn to interact safely with the livestock and the public
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

A minimum of 16 hours per month, Thursday through Monday, recognizing that during winter months we still have opportunities but fewer guests
One year commitment

Supervised by Agricultural Specialist, daily activities under the supervision of the paid agricultural staff

Certification Requirements:

Additional Training: Agricultural volunteers in good standing may complete teamster training to ensure the safe operation of the hitched team of horses in a variety of operations, including hayrack rides.

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Bee Keeping Demonstrator:

Interprets 1890s bee keeping techniques to guests and helps maintain the bee keeping area.

Responsibilities:

Giving informal tours by interacting with guests as required during regular open hours and at special events
Performing bee keeping tasks such as weeding bee keeping area, harvesting honey, and maintaining supers
Works in cooperation with staff
Miscellaneous duties as required

Requirements:

Must be at least 14 years old
Considerable skill in communicating verbally
Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions
Good knowledge of 1890s bee keeping techniques and the processing of honey (you will receive training)
Some skill in using 1890s bee keeping equipment
Capable of moving around bee keeping area, equipment storage areas and performing care-taking tasks
Capable of lifting up to 25 lbs
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

A minimum of 8 hours per month
One year commitment

Supervised by Lead Volunteer Bee Keeper and Facility Supervisor

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Carpentry Demonstrator:

To demonstrate the hand tool techniques while maintaining tools and farm buildings based on 1890s techniques.

Responsibilities:

Assist Intermittent Naturalist with construction, furnishing and upkeep of farm buildings and structures.
Aid in the restoration, preservation, or embellishment of existing historic structures, which may include architectural woodworking.
Actively provide information to visitors about Carpentry and its role on the farm.

Requirements:

Must be at least 14 years old
Knowledge of balloon framing, timber framing, and construction techniques of the 1890s
Working skill in the use of a variety of hand tools and equipment familiar to the time period we are presenting to the public
Knowledge of utilitarian value of site farm buildings and their integral value to the farmstead, including main residence
General knowledge of 1890s DuPage County farm life
Capable of lifting up to 50 lbs.
Ability to complete training programs and pass examinations
Ability to work in a group setting
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

A minimum of 8 hours per month
One year commitment

Supervised by Intermittent Naturalist.
Certifications Available to Carpentry Demonstrators: Blacksmithing

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Blacksmithing:

Demonstrate metalworking and forge skills while replicating historic implements and restoring hand tools.

Responsibilities:

The safe operation of the forge and metalworking tools
Actively provide information to visitors about Blacksmithing and its role on the farm

Requirements:

Must be at least 18 years old
Six months as a Carpentry Demonstrator or Blacksmith apprentice in good standing
Some knowledge of blacksmithing technique
Completion of training and testing
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

A minimum of 8 hours per month; participation during busy season and special events
One year commitment, after being certified to the program

Supervised by Intermittent Naturalist

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Domestic Arts:

Interprets 1890s domestic arts activities in the house, summer kitchen, garden, and dooryard to guests.

Responsibilities:

During the school year on weekdays, the demonstrators may be assisting or giving school/youth programs or giving house tours or greeting guests
On weekends and summer months the focus will be on giving tours in the house or assisting with special programs; also, performing domestic chores when time allows unless it is part of the interpretation
Works in cooperation with staff
Miscellaneous duties as required

Requirements:

Must be at least 14 years old.
Considerable skill in communicating verbally
Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions
Working skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with guests and staff
Good knowledge of 1890s farm life in relationship to daily operation of farm, relationship to community, and 1890s life in general (you will receive training)
Some knowledge of basic elements of public relations
Some skill in using 1890s household equipment (you will be trained)
Capable of moving from building to building, and garden and dooryard
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

A minimum of 8 hours per month
One year commitment

Supervised by the Domestic Arts Specialist

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

General Interpreter:

Provide interpretation to visitors while conducting educational programming, assisting with special events or working on projects.

Responsibilities:

Become familiar with the Kline Creek Farm site
Lead school programs
Assist with theme weekend activities
Actively provide information to visitors about the events and activities at Kline Creek Farm
Work in cooperation with staff
Miscellaneous duties as required

Requirements:

Must be at least 14 years old
Considerable skill in communicating verbally
Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions
Working skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with guests and staff
Good knowledge of 1890s farm life in relationship to daily operation of farm, relationship to community, and 1890s life in general (you will receive training)
Some knowledge of basic elements of public relations
Some skill in using 1890s household equipment (you will be trained)
Capable of moving from building to building, and garden and dooryard
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

A minimum of 8 hours per month
One year commitment

Supervised by Naturalist

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Garden Demonstrator:

Interprets an 1890s kitchen garden, hot beds, and cold frames to guests.

Responsibilities:

During the spring and fall of the school year, demonstrator will spend time with school/youth groups, giving or assisting with special programs. If no formal program is being given, then the focus is on visiting guests as it is on weekends and during summer months
Giving informal tours by interacting with guests as required during regular open hours and at special events, performing gardening tasks such as planting, weeding, trimming, harvesting, and watering
Works in cooperation with staff
Miscellaneous duties as required

Requirements:

Must be at least 14 years old
Considerable skill in communicating verbally
Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions
Good knowledge of 1890s vegetables, fruits, herbs, and garden techniques and the processing of foods for daily meals (you will receive training)
Some skill in using 1890s garden equipment
Capable of moving around garden and performing care-taking tasks. Capable of moving to hot beds, cold frames, and equipment storage areas
Capable of lifting up to 25 lbs.
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

12 hours per month minimum from March to October
One year commitment

Supervised by the Domestic Arts Specialist

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Visitor Center Attendant:

To welcome visitors to Kline Creek Farm and to answer visitors questions.

Responsibilities:

Become familiar with the Kline Creek Farm site
Staff Visitor Center’s information booth including hand out brochures and directing visitors according to their needs
Staff gift sales area including handing money, making change and operating a cash register
Answer phone calls
Work in cooperation with staff
Miscellaneous duties as required

Requirements:

Must be at least 18 years old
Considerable skill in communicating verbally
Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions
Working skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with guests and staff
Good knowledge of 1890s farm life in relationship to daily operation of farm, relationship to community, and 1890s life in general (you will receive training)
Some knowledge of basic elements of public relations
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

A minimum of 8 hours per month
One year commitment

Supervised by Staff Assistant

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Wardrobe Coordinator:

Responsible for care of costumes and other textiles.

Responsibilities:

Maintain wardrobe by washing, ironing and mending
Construct costumes as necessary
Maintain equipment for care of wardrobe
Works in cooperation with staff
Sewing and care of costumes, and other textiles
Miscellaneous duties as required

Requirements:

Must be at least 14 years old
Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions
Good knowledge of 1890s construction of garments (you will receive training)
Capable of lifting up to 10 – 15 lbs.
Capable of operating a sewing machine
Capable of going to wardrobe areas and performing washing, ironing and mending
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

A minimum of 8 hours per month
One year commitment

Supervised by Domestic Arts Specialist

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Family Program:

Volunteers may include their children in their volunteer experience by joining our Family Volunteer program. Once an adult volunteer has completed the volunteer training they can enroll in our Family Volunteer program and bring their children when they come to volunteer.

A family unit, as applied to this program, will consist of at least one parent or legal guardian for no more than two children between the ages of 6 – 13 years old. Children volunteering in the agricultural program must be at least 9 – 13 years old. The ratio will be one adult to the maximum of two children.

Responsibilities:

All adults must complete the regular volunteer training before bringing their children to the Farm
Adults must be aware of their children’s attention span and physical capabilities and plan their volunteer shifts accordingly
Adults must supervise their children at all times
All children in the family volunteer program are required to have a current tetanus shot
Family members are required to comply with Kline Creek Farm’s dress code. Kline Creek Farm does not provide all of the clothing for children. Parents will consult with the Domestic Arts Specialist on options
Family will follow the rules and regulations of the Forest Preserve District at all times. Direction and information about misconduct will be given to the adult

Requirements:

Children will obey their parent while on site. The child’s (children’s) behavior while on site is the responsibility of the parent
Children are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior while on site. If the child is having a hard day, or if the child becomes ill while volunteering, the parent is expected to cut their shift short and leave the site. If any illness is caused by anything on the site, please complete an accident report
Any problems arising with the program should be directed to the Naturalist. If further direction is needed, this should be addressed to the Facility Supervisor or the Forest Preserve District Volunteer Coordinator
Repeated behavioral difficulties will be addressed by the Facility Supervisor, Forest Preserve District Volunteer Coordinator and the parent(s). Any unresolved difficulties may result in suspension of Family Volunteer privileges
A District volunteer application, waiver, two references and background check consent form on file

Commitment:

One year commitment

Supervised by Naturalist

For more information, call volunteer services at (630) 933-7681 or e-mail volunteer@dupageforest.com.

Volunteer Forms | Nature Workday Schedule | The Spirit

Street Address: 3 S 580 Naperville Road, Wheaton, IL 60187-8761
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5000, Wheaton, IL 60189-5000
email: forest@dupageforest.com (630) 933-7200 Fax: (630) 933-7204 TTY: (800) 526-0857