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, energetic, creative leaders to plan and implement environmental science based outdoor lessons and activities for youth between the ages of 3 and 9.

Educators are required to commit to all 11 weeks (including the one week 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 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 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: 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 forest ecology, reptiles and amphibians, insects, tracking, and many 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 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
• Ability to drive 10-passenger vans and submit a valid driver’s license if working with 8-9 year olds
• 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: Finalists 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. Those selected to work with the 3-5 year old camps will also have to provide/complete: physical exam (with TB test results), Health and Safety training, and two written references.

Dates of Employment: Position begins on June 3, 2019 and ends on August 16, 2019.

Compensation: $4900 - $6200, housing is not provided.