Summer Camp Instructor

Position Summary

Summer Camp Instructors plan and implement week-long day camps for children ages 6 to 12. Each instructor is responsible for a group of up to 12 campers per week. Instructors have a unique and important responsibility to foster a connection to nature in each camper through age-appropriate, educational, place-based, hands-on, and fun experiences. Instructors strive to create an inclusive environment in which every camper feels physically and emotionally safe and can build their confidence in the outdoors.

Instructors model enthusiasm for nature, curiosity, and learning. They communicate with parents and guardians on a daily basis. Instructors are supported through open and ongoing communication with fellow instructors and the program coordinator. Summer camp instructors will work 30-40 hours a week, though some weeks may require more hours and others less.

The CSU ELC is an outreach program housed within the Warner College of Natural Resources. Our mission is to inspire and educate people to connect with and become stewards of our natural world. We operate as a learning-lab; aside from our program coordinator and our director, all of our employees are CSU students interested in gaining experience in environmental education and communication.

Our student educators plan and facilitate all of our programs, a majority of which serve a K-12th grade audience. Learn more elc.org.

30-40

• Work with program coordinator and co-instructors to plan themed, age-appropriate, hands-on, place-based lessons
• Communicate daily with parents and guardians regarding how their camper is doing
• Attend and actively participate in staff training and weekly staff meetings
• Facilitate safe, educational, fun and meaningful experiences for campers
• Model enthusiasm for nature and learning
• Model effective teaching and group management techniques for counselors-in-training
• Commit to creating an inclusive environment that values each camper, instructor, and counselor-in-training and the experiences, skills, knowledge, attitudes, and ideas they bring to the community
• Pick up after camp each day to maintain a clean and safe environment for campers
• Help out with other programs as needed and able
• Have and maintain CPR and First Aid (child and adult) certifications by start date and through employment

• Experience working with elementary aged children
• Have current CPR/First Aid certification (child and adult) by start date
• Be passionate about the environment and have a strong desire to create change through education

• Experience working in an outdoor camp environment
• Strong communication skills with adults and children
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Strong desire to create quality camp experiences
• Knowledge of the local environment (e.g., flora, fauna, ecosystems) or demonstrated commitment to learning about local environments
• Ability to work long days with a positive attitude
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability
• Lifeguard certification

Submit current resume, cover letter, two references (name, relationship, contact information; letters not necessary), and responses to the questions below to

Please respond to each of the following –

• Briefly describe your experience working with children.
• Identify and describe 3 traits or skills that you would bring to this position.
• Describe a specific situation that has required you to be flexible.