In addition to joining a sustainability-focused club or organization, students can get involved in Kenyon’s green initiatives through a variety of leadership and internship opportunities. Find out more about the opportunities at Kenyon below.
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A student-led farm, growing organic produce to feed students and the local community. The farm hosts dinners for the college and offers volunteer opportunities for students. Students can even live at the Kenyon Farm!
Environmental Campus Organization (ECO) is a club focused on educating peers to make Kenyon a greener place. The members host local food dinners, documentary screenings and an annual IntersectECO Conference. In 2019, ECO organized a climate strike on campus, in conjunction with the Global Climate Strike led by Greta Thunberg on September 20th. The IntersectECO Conference in 2019 was focused on environmental justice and included two Keynote speakers. The 2020 conference, taking place on April 11th, will feature women in environmentalism.
Outdoors Club is a student-run organization on campus dedicated to getting people into nature. Outdoors Club members lead trips during the school year, breaks, and lead the popular Outdoors Club pre-orientation for incoming first-years. Events include bike rides, canoe trips, backpacking and movie screenings.
The Land Lords are Kenyon College’s premier conservationist group. Whether they are maintaining the BFEC’s extensive trails or removing pesky invasive plant species on Kenyon soil, the Land Lords are outside somewhere doing their part. The club prides itself on its tight-knit community and open membership, where students can volunteer when it fits their schedule. Land Lords meetings are typically on Fridays at 4 p.m. in front of the bookstore, with rides provided to assorted trails.
The mission of the Kenyon College Beekeeping Club is to perform beekeeping services, community outreach, fundraising, and research at Kenyon College and the surrounding Knox County. KCBeeC aims to promote the ideals of environmental stewardship and the importance of preserving local pollinator populations through education and hands-on volunteering opportunities.
At Kenyon, students are a driving force in sustainability efforts. The Office of Green Initiatives internship program ensures that students’ voices are heard and sustainability projects move ahead. The interns work closely with the director of green initiatives to plan outreach activities, conduct research, and maintain the sustainability program as a dynamic and vital presence on campus.
Students are the backbone of the Kenyon Farm; managers and volunteers. They oversee regular volunteer work sessions where students interested in sustainable agriculture but not the total commitment provide support for a variety of projects. Contact the farm director for more information.
For students interested in an educational program/ work study opportunity related to sustainable farming, consider volunteering or applying for a student farmer manager position at the Kenyon Farm. Students plan and maintain farm center operations from seed to tomato and from chick to egg and pioneer in their own project of interest. Leadership positions at the farm are as rewarding as they are demanding. Farm center managers balance life and work at the farm with their studies on the hill.
Community members are encouraged to volunteer. Volunteer hours take place at the Farm from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and 1 - 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
The Brown Family Environmental Center (BFEC) provides a number of formal opportunities for students to engage in throughout the year.
BFEC Assistantships: The most involved and rewarding positions at the BFEC are the Summer Assistantships. During these twelve week sessions, students experience the full spectrum of work at the BFEC. While primary duties involve a host of land management activities and maintenance of BFEC demonstration gardens, there are ample opportunities to assist in program coordination and outreach. The positions conclude with the BFEC’s Nature’s Keepers summer camp in which assistants plan and coordinate activities for elementary-school aged campers.
BFEC Managers: During the academic year, BFEC Managers live at the BFEC house and with the support of BFEC staff host regular events for their peers. Full moon hikes, bonfires, stargazing, and floating the Kokosing are just a few of the types of activities the managers provide for campus. When not planning their own activities, the managers support BFEC staff at major campus/community events.
Field Trip Leaders: Students have long been the key to the BFEC’s successful elementary school field trip program. Following a brief training session, volunteer leaders experience environmental education first hand as they facilitate guided exploration through a number of the BFEC’s diverse habitats
Students work with the staff of the Philander Chase Conservancy (PCC) and the Kokosing Nature Preserve (KNP) on the full range of duties related to land conservation, including work on conservation and agricultural easements, monitoring easement properties, and assisting with a nature preserve cemetery. They are able to partner with the Fahlgren Mortine agency in Columbus and the Office of Communications on a communications plan for PCC and KNP and develop educational opportunities related to agriculture and land conservation in Knox County for the Kenyon community.
Students work with maintenance staff to properly sort through the material that is collected on campus for recycling.
In addition to offering courses that focus on community-engaged learning, Kenyon offers students the opportunity to work directly with the community of Knox County through our Office for Community Partnerships. For more information, please see the Office for Community Partnerships website.
The Kenyon Green Alumni Network was created to help interested students learn about and make connections with alumni in environmental fields. Students can access the network through the Kenyon Career Network run by Kenyon’s Career Development Office.