Envirothon Training for Workers and Volunteers Presented by the Ohio Envirothon Committee

Session Overview Changes to test questions Advice on identifying contest sites Hosting a successful event Code of conduct for Ohio Envirothon Volunteers Promotional Resources

Changes to Test Questions Question bank provided in 2018 by Ohio Envirothon Committee It is at the area hosts’ discretion to use Hosts can obtain a copy of these test questions by emailing Emily Heppner DO NOT post envirothon tests on-line until after May 4th

Identifying Contest Sites for Area Envirothons Brainstorm as many great places as you can think of! Then, narrow them down based on the reality of what hosting an Area Competition entails…… Prepare a document to share with potential site hosts

Site Features that are Absolutely Necessary: Site must be large enough to accommodate the number of people that participate in your area Envirothon (don’t forget to count everyone! – students, advisors, volunteers, test writers, others) Site will need access to four (or five) testing station areas Separated but within a five minute walk of each other With a focus on the testing topics (ex: forested area; lake, pond or stream; wildlife habitat; somewhere to dig a soil pit) Testing station areas will need to be large enough to accommodate (comfortably) the number of students that will be using them at one time

Access to parking that will accommodate school buses and personal vehicles/and or small vans Restroom facilities Electricity (if needed by your area) Soil pit must be able to be excavated somewhere on the site (large enough to be accessed by several students at a time) EMS Availability Hazardous weather plan Event Insurance

Other Site Features that Make for a Pleasant Day: Availability of a large, covered shelter or building that can accommodate all of the students Availability of a small (preferably enclosed) building that can accommodate the number of people needed to score tests Having the site dedicated to just the Envirothon activity for the day If the site owners or staff agree to dig the soil pit using their own equipment Special Considerations: Accessibility Food allergies

Hosting a Successful Area Event Beautiful weather :) A great site with lots of hands-on outdoor learning opportunity Engaging test writers and challenging tests Organization (your mind may be all over the place, but things on the outside need to be together!)

If you are the host county, communication and planning ahead Find a point person for your site and remain in regular communication with them Regular communication with test writers, accommodate their schedules for visiting the testing site, remind them to bring any items needed at their stations, etc. Regular communication with volunteers who are responsible for bringing other items (awards, laptop, food, etc.) Communication with others who have responsibilities that day – Color Guard, singers, MC, etc.

If you are the host county, communication and planning ahead Get out to the site a week or two ahead of time, and again the day before Run through the event in your mind, step by step, from start to finish. Are you missing anything? Watch the weather forecast like a hawk and have a Plan B ready Make sure all of your communication methods are in working order the day of the event. If you use radios, test them to make sure all stations can communicate with central command, and make sure you provide anyone using a radio extra batteries!

If you are the host county, communication and planning ahead Make sure all volunteers know what job they are expected to do, whether this means sending them a job sheet or orienting them the day of the event Provide group leaders a map of the site and have walk them to each station in the proper rotation (this can be done at your committee meeting at the site) And……yes, somehow it always does manage to come together, but don’t rely on only that!

Incorporate ways to draw in others and share exactly how awesome this event is! Board members County Commissioners or other legislators or community leaders News stations and newspapers If issues arise, remain calm and handle them quickly and efficiently. As long as everyone is safe and enjoying a learning experience outdoors, that is the most important thing. Often the things we are stressing over aren’t even noticed by others.

Code of Conduct for Ohio Envirothon Volunteers For the 2018 event, a code of conduct will be signed prior to starting volunteer assignments A brief 15 minute training will be given periodically at volunteer check-in throughout the Ohio Enivrothon Envirothon participants are teenagers Don’t put yourself in a situation that could ruin a reputation