ELF volunteers are the heart of the program. THANKS to you all for all you do!! Below are some links that may assist you. In most cases, this information refers to activities in Hands-On Nature or to materials you will receive in the ELF training workshops or from your ELF Coordinator. Please contact us if there are other links you'd like to see !
Many schools produce ELF newsletters or have an "ELF Corner" in the regular school newsletter. What a great idea! To help coordinators that are interested in doing that, we have made some templates that you can use as a starting point. Please check out some possibilities here or find links on the webpage for each ELF unit.
We have had many requests about foundations and other sources that might provide grants to fund ELF in a school. In response, we have assembled a list of possible funding sources.
Looking for hand lenses or insect view boxes for your school? You can order them through the VINS Nature Shop and receive a 20 % discount! Just mention that they are for ELF. Other great sources for science/nature education materials include Acorn Naturalists and Delta Education.
Also remember, ELF schools receive a 30 % discount on any VINS Outreach program!
ELF Trainers Contact Information
Please contact the ELF Office for trainer contact information. Telephone (802) 457-2779 or e-mail elf@vinsweb.org.
List of Available ELF Program Information Sheets The following informational hand-outs are available as pdf files or by calling the VINS ELF office at (802) 457-2779.
Volunteer Packet The volunteer packet is distributed to each new volunteer in September and includes the following topics (available above as PDF files): Role of the ELF Volunteer, What It Means to be an ELF Volunteer, Role of the Classroom Teacher in ELF, Meeting With the Classroom Teacher, Teaching Techniques for ELF Volunteers, Making Activities Age-Appropriate, Policy Regarding Children at ELF Training Workshops, and Tips for the Puppeteer.
ELF Binder This set of handouts goes to the primary ELF coordinator in each town at the September workshop. The handouts are available here as PDF files. In addition to all the volunteer handouts listed above, coordinators will find:
Letter to Coordinators
ELF - Learning Standards and Opportunities (Vermont and New Hampshire)
Student Volunteer Certificate
Sample Certificate for ELF Students
