Outdoor Education Fellowship

A transformative, year-long training program designed for young professionals who want to build skills in teaching, public speaking, leadership, problem-solving, and communication through hands-on outdoor education experiences.

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FAQs

What You’ll Do

What You’ll Gain

Compensation & Benefits

Who Is the Fellowship For?

The Outdoor Education Fellowship is designed for curious, motivated young professionals who want to develop teaching and leadership skills, gain real-world experience in environmental education, conservation, outdoor recreation, and youth development. Learn, lead, and discover what’s next.

The fellowship is a great fit for:

Young professionals
Outdoor enthusiasts
Gap year students
Future teachers and educators

What You’ll Do

Teach and Inspire

Fellows primary role is to facilitate hands-on outdoor education experiences for students in grades 4–12. Fellows teach science, adventure, and cultural history programs that encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and connection to the natural world. During the summer, Fellows lead Eagle Bluff summer camps.

Lead Outdoor Experiences

Facilitate outdoor learning classes in science, cultural history, and adventure that build confidence, teamwork, and environmental awareness.

Support Visiting Groups

When groups are staying overnight, serve as the lead host staff for groups, helping create positive, organized, and memorable experiences from arrival to departure.

Learn Alongside Experts

Participate in graduate-level seminars, professional development workshops, observations, and mentorship designed to strengthen your skills as an educator, leader, and team member.

Build Community

Live and work with a cohort of other Fellows who support one another through collaboration, shared experiences, and personal growth.

Lead Summer Camp Adventures

Transition into a leadership role during Eagle Bluff Summer Camps, designing activities, mentoring campers, and creating unforgettable outdoor experiences.

What You’ll Gain

As an Eagle Bluff Fellow, you’ll develop practical skills that transfer across education, nonprofit leadership, conservation, outdoor recreation, and many other professional fields.

Training & Mentorship

Begin with a 3 week intensive training experience and continue developing your skills throughout the year through workshops, coaching, formal evaluations, peer mentoring, and ongoing support from experienced outdoor educators.

Certifications & Graduate Credit Opportunities

Pursue optional professional credentials, including the National Association for Interpretation’s Certified Interpretive Guide certification and graduate-level coursework through Hamline University.

Learning & Development

Develop a strong foundation in program design, teaching techniques, environmental education, interpretation, ecology, and natural history through weekly seminars, field-based learning, and hands-on, place-based teaching experiences.

Hands-on Teaching Experience

Gain over 400 hours of real-world experience leading engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences for thousands of participants from diverse backgrounds.

Leadership & Communication Skills

Build confidence in communication, group facilitation, relationship-building, teamwork, program design, and leadership, skills that transfer to any career.

Career Readiness

Explore and prepare for careers in environmental education, conservation, outdoor recreation, nonprofit leadership, youth development, and related fields.

COMPENSATION, HOUSING & BENEFITS

Housing

Fellows receive on-site housing in a dedicated staff wing of Eagle Bluff’s dormitory. Each fellow has a private bedroom and shares a bathroom suite with one other fellow. Common spaces include a shared kitchen, living room, dining area, laundry facilities, storage space, and internet access.

Meals & Food Access

Meals are provided when groups are in residence.

Staple food items are available for use in the staff kitchen throughout the year.

Compensation

Fellows are compensated $1,000 per month, paid bi-weekly, pre-taxes.

Benefits

In addition to housing and meals, fellows enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off, holidays, staff apparel, professional purchase discounts, and access to Eagle Bluff’s recreational equipment.

View the benefits package

Qualifications & Expectations

Required:

Available August 15, 2026–August 6, 2027
At least 21 years old by August 15, 2026
Able to pass a background check
Comfortable living on-site in a shared residential community
Current First Aid and CPR/AED certification (or willingness to obtain before the start date)
Passionate about working with students and facilitating positive outdoor experiences
Strong communication, collaboration, adaptability, and interpersonal skills
Comfortable participating in outdoor activities, including hiking, canoeing, and high ropes
Dependable and able to fulfill occasional evening and weekend responsibilities

Preferred:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
Experience in outdoor education, interpretation, recreation, camps, or youth programs
Teaching, facilitation, leadership, or customer service experience
Experience with adventure activities such as canoeing, climbing, or high ropes courses

Key Dates:

Applications Open: Now accepting applications
Applications Reviewed: Rolling basis until all 12 fellowship positions are filled
Interviews: Conducted on a rolling basis
Offers Extended: Rolling basis
Move-In & Orientation: August 15–16, 2026
Fellowship Begins: August 17, 2026
Fellowship Ends: August 6, 2027

HOW TO APPLY

The Outdoor Education Fellowship cohort is limited to 12 fellows each year. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

Step 1

Submit Your Resumé

Email a PDF copy of your resumé to Brent Burton, Fellowship Manager, at brentb@eaglebluffmn.org.

Use “Outdoor Education Fellowship Applicant: Your Full Name” as the subject line of your email.

Email Your Resumé

Step 2

Complete the Application Questions

Answer and submit the online application questions below.

Complete Application Questions

Step 3

Provide References

Contact two professional references and ask them to complete our Online Reference Form.

Access the Reference Form

Step 4

Application Review

Applications are reviewed once all required materials have been received.

Only complete applications will be considered for an interview.

Step 5

Interview

Qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a virtual interview with Eagle Bluff staff.

Step 6

Receive an Offer

Successful candidates will receive an offer to join the Fellowship cohort.

Step 7

Begin the Fellowship

Fellows move into on-site housing on August 15, 2026, and begin orientation and training.

FAQs

All Fellows begin with three weeks of immersive training before teaching independently. Training covers instructional techniques, foundational educational practices, Eagle Bluff programs and operations, and the natural and cultural history of the region. Fellows receive established lesson plans, hands-on practice, and support from experienced educators to build confidence in leading classes.

Professional development continues throughout the Fellowship year. Fellows participate in additional class-specific trainings, weekly seminars, and dedicated training weeks in January and June to prepare for winter programming and summer camps.

The Fellowship offers extensive professional development through hands-on teaching experience, mentorship, weekly seminars, evaluations, and specialized training throughout the year.

Graduate Credits

Fellows who hold a bachelor’s degree may choose to earn graduate credits through Hamline University. These credits may be applied toward graduate programs at Hamline or other institutions, though participation is entirely optional and is not required to complete the Fellowship.

Graduate courses:

Fundamentals of Environmental Education (3 credits)
Natural History and Ecology (3 credits)
Principles of Interpretation (2 credits)
Introduction to Program Design (2 credits)

Environmental Education Certificate

Together, the graduate courses listed above can be applied toward a Environmental Education Certificate. The full 10-credit cerficate costs approximately $2,850. Costs are subject to change and are paid separately from the Fellowship program.

Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) Certification

Fellows may also choose to pursue the National Association for Interpretation’s Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) credential. This nationally recognized certification helps educators develop skills in interpretation, communication, and audience engagement.

Participation is optional. Fellows who choose to pursue the certification typically pay approximately $200 for the training and certification. The certification may also count toward graduate coursework related to interpretation.

Hands-On Professional Development

In addition to optional certifications and graduate credits, all fellows receive:

More than 400 hours of teaching experience
Mentorship from experienced outdoor educators
Weekly seminars in environmental education, natural history, interpretation, and program design
Ongoing coaching, evaluations, and feedback
Training in outdoor skills, facilitation, and risk management

These experiences help fellows build the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for careers in outdoor, environmental, and experiential education.

Weekly seminars explore topics such as:

Teaching techniques
Environmental education
Interpretation, program design
Ecology
Natural history
Leadership

Sessions are led by Eagle Bluff staff and guest experts and are designed to strengthen both outdoor education skills and broader professional competencies that are valuable in many career paths.

Supporting your growth as an educator is a central part of the Fellowship experience. Fellows receive ongoing feedback, coaching, and mentorship throughout the year to help build confidence, refine teaching skills, and achieve professional goals.

Mentorship & Supervision

Fellows meet monthly with the Fellowship Manager to discuss professional goals, celebrate successes, identify areas for growth, and navigate challenges. These one-on-one meetings provide personalized guidance, accountability, and support throughout the Fellowship year.

Observations & Feedback

Fellows receive regular feedback through formal class observations, self-evaluations, and peer observations. Feedback is constructive, specific, and designed to help fellows continuously improve their teaching practice and facilitation skills.

Multiple Perspectives

In addition to feedback from the Fellowship Manager and Eagle Bluff staff, fellows receive input from visiting teachers, chaperones, and peers. This well-rounded approach helps fellows better understand their strengths, identify opportunities for growth, and develop as effective outdoor educators and leaders.

The Fellowship is designed to prepare participants for careers in environmental education, outdoor recreation, conservation, nonprofit leadership, and related fields. Many alumni go on to work as outdoor educators, naturalists, teachers, conservation professionals, guides, and nonprofit leaders, while others pursue graduate studies or careers in other industries.

Past Fellows have gone on to positions with organizations such as:

Environmental Educator, NatureBridge Yosemite
Outdoor Education Coordinator, Prescott Pines Camp
Environmental Education Specialist, City of Rochester
Farm Director, Camp Burgess & Hayward
Executive Director, Eagle Bluff ELC
Teacher, City of Lakes Waldorf School
Expedition Guide, UnCruise Adventures
Biology/Forensic Science Teacher, Island Coast High School
Co-Director, Endless Trails
Director, 10Fold Communications
Assistant Principal, Monterey Adult School
Education Director, Eagle Bluff ELC

Upon completing the program, Fellows may apply for a second year at Eagle Bluff when positions are available. Second-year opportunities are not guaranteed and depend on organizational needs. When offered, a second year allows Fellows to further develop their teaching practice and participate in projects aligned with Eagle Bluff’s goals.

Contact Brent Burton, Fellowship Manager, at brentb@eaglebluffmn.org or 507-467-2705.

B.S. in Environmental Science from Warren Wilson College

Hey there! I grew up just down the road in Decorah, Iowa, and am happy to be back in the Driftless. I went to college for two years at Northland College in Ashland Wisconsin, then another two at Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, North Carolina. I graduated with an Environmental Science degree from Warren Wilson, with an emphasis on forestry.

Trees and bicycles are two of my favorite things, but I’m also a big fan of canoeing, camping, birds, gardening/farming, and most everything else outside. I’m passionate about the ways people connect to the place they live through experiencing and learning about all of the pieces that make up the place; the other humans, beyond-human beings like plants, animals, and fungi, and the history of the place.

Catie Fenstermaker

(she/they)

Hometown:

St. Marys, GA

Education:

B.S. Earth & Planetary Science from Yale University

Hi! I’m Catie Fenstermaker and I’m from St. Marys, Georgia, which is on the southern GA coast. I got my B.S. in the geosciences (with a specialization in invertebrate paleontology) from Yale University in 2025. I have a background in academic research and museum collections work, and I am particularly interested science communication & education in the geosciences. I enjoy rock climbing, hiking, camping, sewing, and embroidery, and I am an avid cat lover. Fun fact: last summer, I put 22,000 miles on my car doing a cross-country road trip. I’m excited to get to know you all!

Sarah FitzSimmons

Hometown:

Bellville, OH

Education:

B.A in Zoology and Environmental Science from Miami University

I graduated from Miami University with a major in Zoology, a co-major in Environmental Science, and a minor in Anthropology. I spent a semester studying abroad in Luxembourg and traveling around Europe. In my free time I enjoy traveling, baking/cooking, hiking, and reading. I also have a lot of fun taking photographs when I’m walking through nature.

(she/her)

Hometown:

Green Bay, WI

Education:

B.S. in Wildlife Ecology and Management & B.A. in 2D Art from UW-Stevens Point

I’m originally from Green Bay, WI. In 2025, I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where I studied wildlife ecology and fine art. In my art, I focus on two-dimensional mediums like drawing, painting, and photography. I am also an avid birder, and I love photographing the wildlife that I see while out exploring nature. To relax, I take hikes, watch movies, read books, or play video games.