In the spring of 2019 when I was searching for an internship, I stumbled across the Great Bay Discovery Center education intern position. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I couldn’t be happier with the time I’ve spent here. In the spring, I lead school groups as that visited the estuary and explored Great Bay. I was able to connect kids to the outdoors and when curious students came up with some creative questions I was able to draw from staff and volunteer experience, building my knowledge of estuaries! I also had to hold in my excitement when I found out there was a Discovery Tank…..we get to hold horseshoe crabs!?!?! When the spring programs ended, I helped with the summer bayventure programs which reminded me of my childhood experiences at summer camp. For these programs, the kids stay with us all day and we lead them through different activities based on the theme of the week.
It was exciting to be able to teach about ecology and natural systems while engaging with kids from the area. I got to learn so much about the local ecology of the Bay that I had been living next to for 3 years. The Great Bay Discovery Center has become one of my favorite places and I have been able to learn and grow during my time here. The support and feedback from staff is incredible and there is so much to learn from the volunteers as well. Every day brings something different, whether it’s picking up trash on the marsh, painting rain barrels, use a seine net at the waterfront, or building shelter int he woods…..it never gets boring. It’s always a great day on the Great Bay!
-Casey Reynolds, 2019 Education Intern
Interested in applying for the 2020 Education Internship? Visit the teach page.