Licensed Tour Guides for Washington, DC

At the heart of the Wonders of Washington (WOW) are our tour guides. The right guide can change a mediocre tour into a fantastic one, and our guides have an outstanding track record of doing just that.

WOW guides are recent college graduates, which means they can better identify with young students and form easy relationships with them. This means students feel comfortable asking questions and sharing their thoughts on the sites. Guides become role models for the students.

Teachers will appreciate that our guides truly know their stuff about Washington. That's because they are fully licensed by the city to give paid tours. Not every tour company for DC does this, and we are proud to hold our guides to this level of professionalism. In addition, every WOW guide receives extensive training in communication, problem solving, group dynamics, and leadership.

Meet your 2013 WOW Tour Guides

	Stephanie Collins Stephanie is a recent graduate from Miami University where she pursued a self design degree in International Cultural Perspectives and Understanding Diverse People of the World with a minor in Communications. Stephanie has a passion for helping young students understand the diversities of our world. She has three siblings and two nieces. Stephanie also has a dog named Georgiana and two horses; Prince and Eddie.
	Rylee Ellyson Rylee plans to pursue degrees in Agricultural Communications and Geography at Oklahoma State University to better serve his future career as an Extension Educator in 4-H Youth Development. He was a 10 year member of Oklahoma 4-H, a State 4-H Ambassador alumni, and served on the National 4-H GIS/GPS Technology Team. Rylee believes that nothing so close can take you so far as 4-H and credits his training in Youth-Adult Partnerships with developing his facilitation abilities with audiences of all ages.
	Julie Knapke Julie is a sophomore at Purdue University majoring in Agribusiness Marketing with a minor in Crop Science. She is a ten year 4-H member and an officer for Purdue’s Collegiate 4-H. She is involved in many activities including being a member of Purdue’s All- American Marching Band, Agribusiness Club, Agronomy Club, Collegiate Farm Bureau, and many more. In her spare time she loves reading, sewing, volunteering her time, and hanging out with friends and family.
	John Scott John is a junior at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. He was born in the state of Arkansas, and moved to Georgia at age 9 where he immediately started in 4-H activities. Through 4-H in Georgia, he won state in the history public speaking competition, and was also a Georgia 4-H state officer, among other things. John returns to Washington for the Wonders of Washington Program this spring, and is excited to be back in the Nation's Capital.

Want to Be a WOW Tour Guide?

A National 4-H Council Program Assistant will become a licensed Class B Tour Guide for the District of Columbia metro area and will facilitate National 4-H Council’s educational curricula to groups of youth from across the country. These job functions are accomplished in collaboration with each group’s coordinator as well as Council program staff and planning staff. National 4-H Council programs are intense and exciting learning experiences for youth and adults from all over the United States and the world. Program Assistants make these programs successful by using their skills and knowledge to help the participants have the most educational and fun experience possible in Washington DC and at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center. Program Assistants for the Wonders of Washington (WOW) programs must be able to successfully fulfill the requirements of the D.C. Tour Guide License.

Applicants must:

Have experience in leadership roles, public speaking, and presenting
Be flexible and work well under pressure and with others
Be at least 18 years old
Have at least a high school diploma or equivalent, with education beyond high school preferred. Courses in political science, communications, history, and education preferred
Be a citizen of the United States
Be able to read, write and speak the English language
Pass a satisfactory background check
Successfully complete the tour guide exam and meet the medical and physical requirements of DCRA

Specific P.A. Roles

Tour Guide: Program Assistants lead trips into the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, and provide commentary on points of interest throughout the city, so that participants learn from these educational opportunities. PA’s are the primary liaison between the National 4-H Youth Conference Center and each group during their stay at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center.

Program Facilitator: Program Assistants lead educational workshops conducted at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center. This role may include checking the arrangements for room-set-up, audio-visual, entertainment, speakers, transportation, field trips, workshops, recreation, and developing specific curriculum for ongoing programs. PA’s must also meet with adult and group leaders where they assist and orient groups as they arrive, help to provide recreational and other free-time activities for participants, facilitate workshops, and other program needs.

Departmental Intern: WOW PA’s will also have the opportunity to work with various departments within National 4-H Council. Duties will be assigned as needed and based on the interest of each individual PA. Departmental experience will include: Resource Development, Marketing, Accounting, Hospitality, Supply Services and Executive Office.

Terms of Employment
The agreed upon salary is $300 per week. PA’s are required to reside in provided housing, at The National 4-H Youth Conference Center. Dates of employment are February – early June. Travel to and from Washington is at the applicant’s own expense.

National 4-H Council is an equal opportunity employer.

Downloads:

Applications are due: November 16, 2012

Send or fax cover letter & resume to:

National 4-H Council
c/o Maria McNeely
Program Assistant Internships
7100 Connecticut Ave.
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Fax: (301) 961-2922
mmcneely@4hcenter.org