The Schuylkill Center's summer camp (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) 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 12. Camp groups are split up by age with each age having a different focus (see descriptions below).

Educators are required to commit to all 10 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 or assisting nature hikes, leading team-building activities, supervising outdoor recreation activities such as fishing, canoeing, and fire building, and occasionally acting as chaperones and guides on field trips if working with 8-9 or 10-12 year old camps. A seven-day 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 and 10-12 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 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 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.

10-12 year old camp: In this camp, the focus is specific environmental themes that change each week. Topics include water ecology, birds, insect study, and more. Campers will conduct citizen science projects, go on theme-specific field trips, hear from guest speakers, and help with service projects on our trails. Out of all of the age groups, this camp places the greatest emphasis on specific subject learning. In addition to fostering a love of nature in campers, this camp also seeks to expand campers' knowledge on different environmental topics as well as environmental career paths.

This is a good choice if you are looking to incorporate advanced science content into your teaching while also expanding upon camper’s knowledge of environmental content, skills, and careers.

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 8-12 year olds (field trips depend upon current COVID restrictions)
• 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. 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, 2021 and ends on August 20, 2021. (June 3-4 and June 7-11 are mandatory training dates.) Educators will have off on Monday, July 5.
 

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