Seasonal Farm Camp Educator; Counselor; Appleton

Seasonal Farm Camp Educator (Counselor) (Appleton)

Join to apply for the Seasonal Farm Camp Educator (Counselor) (Appleton) role at The Trustees of Reservations
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Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation's premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees preserves properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public.

As a non‑profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households.

• Hourly Rate: $17.00–$19.00 per hour (rates determined by relevant experience)
• Hours per week: 35–40 hours, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM
• Job Classification:
  Seasonal, Non‑Exempt
• Job Type: Onsite
• Duration:
  June 8–August 21, 2026
• Location:
  
  Appleton Farms, Ipswich, MA

As a Camp Educator/Counselor you will be the backbone of camper experiences and hold a special place in this essential summer work. You’ll help children develop self‑confidence, build social bonds, explore interests, learn, and have fun. You’ll lead daily activities that support the camp curriculum, including chores in the barnyard and education garden, explore historic property and wild habitats, teach about food production, sustainability, and ecology, facilitate art and craft making, and provide free play opportunities.

• Daily supervise and keep campers safe, while having fun and promoting learning.
• Design and implement camp curriculum and activities based on farming, food, sustainability, and the natural world.
• Plan daily age‑appropriate activities and farm projects with the camp team.
• Lead plant and animal farm chores with campers in the Learning Garden and Education Barnyard; support fellow staff in the use and maintenance of these spaces.
• Communicate with camper parents regarding camp questions and basic camper information.
• Perform daily camp staff chores to organize, prepare for, and close out each day.
• Meet periodically with Camp Director and Assistant Director to evaluate experience and performance.

• Preferred:
  Holding or working toward a Bachelor’s degree in environmental or agricultural education, the sciences, education, or another relevant field (not required).
• Experience as a camp counselor, classroom teacher, informal educator, and/or childcare provider with children ages 4–14.
• Willingness to learn, bringing passion and enthusiasm to working with young people each day.
• Special interest in outdoor education, especially in a farm‑based setting, and a positive attitude about working outdoors in all conditions.
• Knowledge of or interest in farm‑based education, food, and sustainability.
• CPR and Basic First Aid certifications required; on‑site training option will be provided.
• Desire and ability to share passion for the natural world with children from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds.

• Must be at least 17 years old by the first day of camp.
• Full availability for camp staff training weeks and all camp weeks, June 8–August 21; work week is 35–40 hours, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM, plus Wednesday staff meetings until 4:00 PM.
• Reliable transportation to work every day.
• Current authorization to work in the United States by the first day of employment.
• A satisfactory criminal background check (CORI).
• Proof of physical exam within 18 months and required immunizations per Massachusetts Camp Regulations.

We pledge to create a workplace that fosters staff development and supports the mental, emotional, and social health of our camp staff. We strive to provide training that will help staff fully prepare to care for campers and keep them safe, as well as to deliver quality educational experiences throughout the season. We will…