Position Overview

Conservation Education Camp Counselors are the heart of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation residential summer camp program, which has been running since 1947.

We operate four overnight camps in different parts of NYS for youth ages 11-17. Counselors bring a passion for sharing ‘camp magic’ and their love of nature with the next generation.  Positions start in mid June and run through mid-late August of 2021.

The counselor’s primary role is to teach and supervise campers.  They live in an assigned cabin that may include another counselor and a small group of campers for whom they are responsible. Counselors teach lessons on field, forest, aquatic habitats, and human impacts, often working with a second counselor as co-instructor. Counselors do crafts, perform skits, sing songs, and entertain campers throughout the week while ensuring their safety.

Counselors are on call 24 hours/day during the camp week, but they get one 4-hour block of time off sometime between Monday-Thursday during camp, and then have Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday morning off.  

Specific duties include, but not limited to:

• Supervises the campers on a 24-hour basis; are responsible for the well being and health of the campers;
• Instructs the campers in the core environmental science curricula; and
• Responsible for the planning and conducting of recreational activities, including maintaining camp inventories.
• Counsel campers who become homesick or disruptive.
• Assist in the purchasing, inventory and delivery of supplies, materials and equipment.
• Supervise waterfront activities.
• Support and assist other counselors in the development and completion of camp activities.
• Administer first aid to campers if necessary.
• Supervise and implement overnight camp-outs.
• Develop and implement education recreation and work projects.

Minimum Qualifications

Conservation Education Camp Counselors must have 60 semester college credit hours, including at least 12 semester credit hours in natural resources, environmental studies, environmental education, outdoor recreation, STEM: Science (biology, chemistry, computer, earth, environmental, and physics) Technology Engineering Mathematics,elementary-middle-secondary-special education, or camp management or two years of work experience in natural resources, biological sciences, geology, environmental studies, environmental sciences, environmental education, outdoor recreation, elementary-middle-secondary-special education, or camp management. Conservation Education Camp Counselors must be certified in approved First aid and CPR/AED courses as required by the NYS Department of Health by their first day of employment.

Must have and maintain a current driver’s license.

Desired, but not required: Certification in areas such as American Red Cross Water Safety Instruction or Life Guard with Waterfront Module

Visit our website for more information:  https://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1869.html