The Little River Watershed Association, with the help of community partners, hosts Stream School for Kids, a free, STEM-based, summer educational program for kids and their families. During this event, families from surrounding counties come out to the Little River to have a science-based learning experience and are taught what a watershed is and how to better understand the relationship between land and water. They also learn the importance of water quality, biodiversity of the land and water, and why some practices implemented on land can have a negative impact on our water systems. This educational program is unique in that it is taught not only from the perspective of the land but also from below the surface of the river. Stream School provides a time for community members to get outside and have an interactive learning experience, all while practicing critical thinking skills in an outdoor environment.
We are trying to increase the number of Stream School Sessions available for summer of 2026 and provide as many of these free educational programs to the public as possible.
So we are looking for volunteers to help us lead these sessions!
A typical day leading Stream School involves:
5-7 Educators with 20-30 students (student size depends on number of volunteers available, we aim fo a ratio of no more than 5 students per educator)
2, 2 hour sessions in and out of the water in one day with a 1 hour lunch break between, lunch provided. So your commitment is 5 hours for one day.
Each session is organized as follows:
30 minutes introducing students to the river by getting in and seine netting to collect and observe fish species out of the water
30 minutes of land-based stations. Students are split into two groups and switch between the stations at the 15 minute mark. The stations are macroinvertebrate collection and viewing and an Enviroscape demonstration.
1 hour of snorkeling and exploring the river with a small group. Each educator will be assigned up to 5 students to lead around the river to snorkel and view wildlife.
What we are looking for in a Volunteer to help lead Stream School.
Enthusiasm for environmental science, river ecology, and fish!
Someone that is passionate about environmental education and comfortable with public speaking.
Knowledge of responsible recreation in a mountain stream setting and ability to communicate that with students in attendance.
Must be at least 18 years of age either earning a degree in a related field or possessing work experience in a related field.
This is a field based volunteer opportunity and involves wading in rushing rivers over uneven terrain, being exposed to outdoor elements during the heat of the summer, and managing multiple students with ages ranging from 6-75.
This opportunity requires a time commitment of at least 8 hours on weekend days during the 2026 summer season.
Interested in volunteering to be an Educator for Stream School?
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have questions, please contact our Executive Director, Sarah-Kate at
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Volunteers must have at least one of the following skill sets:
Experience with a seine netting in with a shuffle-kick method in order to collect and view fish species.
Knowledge to identify common fish that may be present in the Little River.
Knowledge to identify common macroinvertebrates that may be present in Little River.
Be able to teach watershed science through an Enviroscape demonstration
Ability to snorkel in a moving river and keep tabs on students
Experience locating and identifying common reptiles that may be present in and around Little River
Experience locating and identifying common amphibians that may be present in and around Little River
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No! Anyone 18 and older with relevant experience to the topics taught at Stream School can sign-up to be a volunteer educator. If you are a current student, you are also welcome to sign-up! Just know you will be speaking to group sizes of 5-25 of all ages.
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Stream School is held on various weekend days throughout the months of May-September. We currently do not have a set schedule for the 2026 season.
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Stream School is held at various public and private access points along the Little River in Walland and Townsend.