Volunteering for Education

Where volunteers have fun together....naturally

Welcome to the wonderful world of volunteering. Thank you for your interest in sharing your love of the outdoors with others through WalkCT Family Rambles.

 Family Guides outsideBecome a WalkCT Family Guide

Across the nation, there is troubling evidence of public health deterioration caused by the sedentary lifestyles of too many Americans, including children. This is coupled with a growing disconnect between our society and the land. CFPA has created an enjoyable program to address these concerns. WalkCT aims to create healthier communities and connect people to the land. The WalkCT Family Rambles will bring the outdoors to the front door of every household in the state. Engaging, relaxed, and fun hikes for families will be led on the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail system as well as in state forests, local parks, and other Connecticut lands. Learn how to join WalkCT—the path to health and happiness. 

So how do you fit in? If you enjoy children, love being outside, and can share some of your time with us, we invite you to an upcoming WalkCT Family Guide Training session. You may also want to join us on one of our already scheduled WalkCT Family Rambles to get a participant's perspective on these outdoor adventures.

Each WalkCT Family Guide leads a minimum of two rambles and participates in at least two training sessions each year. This fun group of adults enjoys sharing their love of nature with children and their caregivers. We offer training sessions each season as well as a mentoring atmosphere for our WalkCT Family Guides. Our guides are encouraged to take training in safety, and all have criminal background checks to alleviate issues of participant safety. Join us on the path to health and happiness.

Training Sessions

Family Guides inside classSessions for 2012 will all be held on Saturdays. Please save the following dates and register to attend: June 16 (Red Cross training for current Guides only), May 5 and  September 22, 2012. Visit our Events Calendar for specific times and details). Pre-registration strongly appreciated; bring a completed Volunteer Information Form to session. Dress comfortably for indoor information and outdoor trail activities. Light refreshments provided. Contact CFPA at 860-346-TREE or info at ctwoodlands dot org to register.

For Communities:
Does your land trust, volunteer association, or other community group lead family activities or walks outdoors? As part of CFPA's WalkCT initiative, we are offering Community Family Guide Training to volunteers or staff of organizations who would like to lead hikes in their communities. These hands-on, half-day workshops are free and take place annually. Learn trail games, tips for teaching to family groups, and other engaging activities to help your program come alive.

For CFPA Volunteers:
CFPA also provides training for individuals who are interested in or already volunteering and leading hikes for CFPA as WalkCT Family Guides. Our Family Guides lead WalkCT Family Rambles, which are free, fun, and easygoing outings scheduled on the last weekend of every month and designed to introduce children and their caregivers to the great outdoors. Each WalkCT Family Guide is asked to choose and lead two simple hikes and participate in at least two training sessions each year. Each guide is encouraged to attend our safety training offering, and all have criminal background checks to alleviate issues of participant safety. To become a WalkCT Family Guide, please print, complete, and return the Volunteer Information Form. Both new and active WalkCT Family Guides can contact us at (860) 346-2372 or info at ctwoodlands dot org to register for a training session.

Volunteer Information Forms can be returned to CFPA via one of the following ways:barred owl

  • Mail it to: CFPA; 16 Meriden Rd.; Rockfall, CT 06481
  • Fax it to: (860) 347-7463
  • Scan it and email a pdf to: info at ctwoodlands dot org