Outdoor Education Fellowship

A transformative, year-long residential training development program designed for young professionals who want to build meaningful careers in environmental education, conservation, outdoor recreation, and beyond.
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FAQs
What You’ll Do
What You’ll Gain
Compensation, Housing & 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, nonprofit work, and youth development. Learn, lead, and discover what’s next.

The fellowship is a great fit for:
  • Young professionals
  • Outdoor enthusiasts
  • Gap year students
  • Career changers
  • 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.

Lead Outdoor Experiences

Facilitate outdoor learning classes that build confidence, teamwork, and environmental awareness.

Support Visiting Groups

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 and leader.

Build Community

Live and work with a cohort of Fellows and professional educators 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 an immersive 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 throughout the year.

Leadership & Communication Skills

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

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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 Environmental Learning Center

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.

Meet our Fellows

Meet the 2025–2026 Eagle Bluff Outdoor Education Fellowship cohort.

Sam Hockwalt

Hometown: Anderson, IN

Sam holds a degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Management and previously served with AmeriCorps NCCC. He joined Eagle Bluff to inspire stewardship, foster curiosity, and continue growing as an environmental educator.

Nathan Cole-Dai

Hometown: Brookings, SD

A 2025 graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College, Nathan discovered his passion for outdoor education while interning as a naturalist at Tettegouche State Park. He is excited to help students build meaningful connections with the natural world.

Avantika D’Cruz

Hometown: Ashland, WI

Avantika earned a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Management and discovered a passion for environmental education while working at the Texas State Aquarium. She joined Eagle Bluff to inspire curiosity and appreciation for wildlife and conservation.

Lou Green

Hometown: Trenton, NJ

Soph-Louise (“Lou”) brings backgrounds in English, Philosophy, Education, and teaching. Passionate about storytelling, community engagement, and inclusive learning, they joined the fellowship to help students build meaningful connections with the natural world.

Katherine Schramek

Hometown: Austin, MN

Katherine’s journey in environmental education began as a volunteer at her hometown nature center in Austin, Minnesota. She joined Eagle Bluff to expand her skills in outdoor programming, climbing, and wildlife education.

Rachel Du Four

Hometown: Fair Oaks, CA

A recent St. Olaf College graduate, Rachel studied Psychology, Public Health Studies, and Film & Media Studies. She joined the fellowship to explore outdoor education, build new skills, and discover how storytelling can inspire connections with nature.

Shira Dubin

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

Shira brings interests in biology, ecology, and evolution. Through the fellowship, she hopes to share her curiosity about the natural world while helping students build confidence and wonder outdoors.

Victoria Crook

Hometown: Hudson, OH

Victoria graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Environmental Geography and a minor in Meteorology. She joined Eagle Bluff to explore a career in environmental education while helping students learn through hands-on outdoor experiences.

Natalie Lang-Ree

Hometown: Truckee, CA

Natalie recently graduated from Carleton College with a degree in Geology. Inspired by a childhood spent near Lake Tahoe, she joined the fellowship to deepen her experience in environmental education and outdoor learning.

Alexis Pliscott

Hometown: Shafer, MN

Alexis is pursuing a degree in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at the University of Minnesota. Passionate about wildlife conservation and birds of prey, she joined the fellowship to gain hands-on experience in environmental education.

Mary Kennedy

Hometown: Christiansburg, VA

Originally from Boston and now living in Virginia, Mary studied Environmental Studies and Creative Writing. After discovering a passion for environmental education through a nature center internship, she joined Eagle Bluff to further develop her teaching and leadership skills.

Katie Bailey

Hometown: Kenosha, WI

Katie earned a degree in Recreation and Tourism from Winona State University. Drawn to work that brings people together outdoors, she joined Eagle Bluff to grow as an educator while creating meaningful experiences for students.