Seasonal Camp Educator Counselor; Crane Estate

Posting Information

Hourly Rate: $17.00 - $19.00/hour (rates determined based on relevant experience)

Hours per week: 35-40 hours/week, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM

Job Classification:
Seasonal, Non-Exempt

Job Type: Onsite

Duration:
June 8 – August 22, 2026

Location:

The Crane Estate, Ipswich, MA

You are passionate about working with young people and dedicated to helping them develop a strong sense of place through dynamic learning experiences. You enjoy spending time outdoors and care deeply for the environment. You thrive in a team-oriented workplace, bringing a strong work ethic, flexibility, and the ability to think on your feet. You consistently seek new learning opportunities and approach your work with a friendly, cooperative nature and a commitment to excellence.

As a camp educator, you’ll be the lead for Summer Quest—a vibrant day camp for 70 campers, ages 5-14, at the Crane Estate. You will be trusted to keep campers safe, engaged, and supported throughout the day, with thorough training and a supportive leadership team.

As a Camp Educator, you will oversee a small group of campers and develop activities that educate them about The Crane Estate’s unique characteristics, employing group and behavior management strategies.

Specifically, you’ll:

• Oversee direct supervision, group management, and safekeeping of up to 10 campers.
• Contribute collaboratively to developing camp activities and have creative freedom to direct the experience of the campers in their group.
• Encourage positive camper behavior and employ behavior management strategies learned during training.
• Encourage campers to investigate the Crane Estate’s unique characteristics with a focus on environmental education and experiential learning, including leading campers in daily songs and games, and leading hikes and investigations.
• Communicate often and effectively with fellow Camp Educators and leadership staff to plan and deliver camp programming.
• Complete daily chores before and after the camp day.
• Manage photo and video content for parent communications.

This is a seasonal, non-exempt position working 35-40 hours/week, reporting directly to the Summer Quest Assistant Camp Director and The Crane Estate’s School and Youth Programs Manager/Camp Director.

Skills and Experience

• The ideal candidate is pursuing a degree or career in education, science, humanities, conservation/stewardship, or outdoor/environmental fields.
• A commitment to the physical and emotional well-being of campers.
• Experience working as a camp counselor, classroom teacher, informal educator, and/or childcare provider with children ages 5-14; environmental education experience preferred.
• A particular interest in outdoor education, especially in a coastal environment.
• A positive attitude, willingness to be flexible, and a commitment to achieving goals.
• High regard for teamwork and collegiality.
• The physical and mental wherewithal to teach outdoors, sometimes under challenging weather and other conditions.

• Minimum age is 17 years old by the start of camp.
• Full availability for staff training weeks (June 8-18) and all nine weeks of camp (June 22 – August 21), Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.
• Ability to lift 40 pounds.
• CPR and Basic First Aid certifications, provided if needed.
• Current authorization to work in the United States by the first day of employment.
• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

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 deliver quality educational experiences throughout the season. We will consistently recognize the incredible work of our staff and ensure that they feel seen, heard, and fully supported.

Skills and training in environmental education, outdoor recreation, health and safety, and childhood development; communication; collaboration; critical thinking and problem solving; leadership; empathy; resilience;…