The Schuylkill Center's Nature Ramblers summer camp is an environmentally focused program that strives to give children the opportunity to explore and learn about their relationship to the natural world. Week-long, themed programs offer youth and educators a chance for in-depth explorations of a variety of nature related topics. We are seeking highly motivated leaders to plan and implement environmental science based outdoor lessons and activities for youth between the ages of 3 and 9.

Duties include: planning and teaching hands-on and interactive environmental education lessons and activities, leading or assisting nature hikes, leading team-building activities, supervising outdoor recreation activities such as fishing, canoeing, and fire building, and acting as chaperones and guides on field trips if working with 6- 9 year old camps. A one-week paid training week will be provided.

As camp counselors, you will be working as a teaching team of three in 3-5 year old camp or a teaching team of two in  6-9 year old camp. These two  camps makeup Nature Ramblers, and makes you a part of a teaching team within a larger group of a camp counselors. A brief description of the camps follows:

3 - 5 year old camp: In this camp, the focus will be on play and exploration while introducing children to nature and the outdoor world. The children will spend the majority of their day outdoors going on hikes and participating in free play. There will be a wide variety of art, songs, and other sensory activities integrated into week long nature based themes. There is also a big emphasis on social and emotional learning and supporting young children in conflict resolution, problem solving, and emotional regulation while building positive relationships with both adults and their peers in a natural setting.

This is a good choice if you understand young children’s development and would like to gain more experience integrating nature, free play, and social/emotional learning into your teaching.

6 - 9 year old camp: In this camp, the focus is on general environmental education. Topics include geology, ecology, butterflies, water, nature writing, and nature photography, among others. There is more of an emphasis on specific subjects of learning compared to 3-5 camp, but an equal emphasis is still placed on free play in nature and building a positive relationship between the child and the natural world.

This is a good choice if you would like to incorporate some science content into your teaching while also giving children a fun and lasting experience with nature.

Qualifications:

• Applicants must be 18 years or older
• Comfortable in the outdoors and a familiarity with outdoor recreation and natural sciences
• Demonstrated ability to be a positive role model for participants
• An understanding of child development and age-appropriate pedagogy
• Experience working with children
• Strong communications skills and confidence in leading groups
• Ability to engage children in fun and creative hands-on learning opportunities
• First Aid/CPR certification required and provided for hires
• Helpful: Associate or Bachelor's Degree or major in Environmental Science, Education, Early Childhood Education, Biology, Botany, Horticulture, Agriculture, Outdoor Leadership, or related field

Background Clearances: Finalists are responsible for providing a valid Pennsylvania Child Abuse clearance, state criminal background check, FBI criminal background check, and other background checks that the Schuylkill Center requires based on the applicant’s state residency.

Dates of Employment: Position begins on June 4, 2018 and ends on August 17, 2018.

Compensation: $4200 - $5390, housing is not provided. Half-day counselors with 3-5 year old camp will be paid hourly.

We value a racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse work community and we strongly encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. E.O.E.