The Schuylkill Center's 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, energetic, creative leaders to plan and implement environmental science-based outdoor lessons and activities for youth between the ages of 3–9 years old. Camp groups are split up by age with each group having a different focus (see descriptions below).

Educators are required to commit to all nine weeks of camp plus seven days of training. Educators will work 8:30 am–4:30 pm each day.

Duties include: Planning and teaching hands-on and interactive environmental education lessons and activities, leading hikes, leading team-building activities, supervising outdoor recreation activities such as fishing, canoeing, and fire building, and supervising free and unstructured outdoor play. Seven days of paid training will be provided.

As camp counselors, you will be working as a teaching team of three in the 3-5 year old camp or a teaching team of two in the 6-9 year old camp. A brief description of the camps follows:

• 3-5 year old camp (9 positions total): 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 (10 positions total): In this camp, the focus is on general environmental education. Topics include forest ecology, reptiles and amphibians, insects, tracking, and much more. There is more of an emphasis on specific subject learning compared to the 3-5 camp, but an equal emphasis is placed on free play in nature and building a positive relationship with 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 
• A familiarity with outdoor recreation and natural sciences (not required)
• 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
• Helpful but not required: 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: If hired, employees are responsible for providing a valid Pennsylvania child abuse clearance, state criminal background check, FBI criminal background check, Mandated Reporter training, and other background checks that the Schuylkill Center requires based on the applicant’s state residency. First Aid/CPR training will be provided to applicants who don’t currently have it. Additionally, as of September 2021, all hires are required to provide proof of vaccination.

Dates of Employment: Position begins on June 9, 2022 and ends on August 19, 2022. (June 9-10 and June 13-17 are mandatory training dates.) Educators will have off on Monday, July 5 for the July 4 holiday.

Compensation: $5900 for the 10.2-week period, paid biweekly