Nature Day Camp Early Childhood Counselor

Join a team of creative, energetic professionals who work together to connect children with nature through educational, recreational, and cultural experiences. Chippewa Nature Center is in search of a Nature Day Camp Counselor to champion early childhood programs. Work alongside full-time Nature Preschool Teachers in the nationally known LEED Gold Certified Margaret Ann (Ranny) Riecker Nature Preschool Center, as well as the Visitor Center, 1870s Homestead Farm, and Nature Study Building. Early Childhood Counselors will teach campers ages 3 to 9 years, including children with special needs. The campers will attend camp for a session lasting a half-day, 9:30 am-12 pm, or full-day, 9:30 am-3:30 pm, Monday through Friday.

Objective: To develop and implement programming of predetermined camps to support and strengthen campers’ relationships with the natural world.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Supervise campers, ensuring their safety and well-being
2. Plan and teach daily lessons following the goals and objectives for each program
3. Follow and enforce all camp policies, rules and regulations
4. Provide first aid to campers according to camp policy
5. Communicate with families regarding camper needs, safety concerns, dietary considerations and camp highlights/experiences
6. Supervise and evaluate Counselors-in-Training who are assigned to your group
7. Mentor Junior Counselors who are assigned to your group
8. Communicate regularly with the Leadership Team
9. Participate in pre-camp and on-going trainings
10. Other duties as assigned by the Camp Director or Assistant Director

Required Qualifications:

• Experience working with young children
• Experience and desire to work in an outdoor setting
• First aid and CPR certifications (or ability to become certified)
• 18 years of age or older by the beginning of the first camp session
• Physically able to lift 50 pounds
• Ability to work varied hours, including some evenings

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preference will be given to those who have earned or are working toward a degree in early childhood education, child development, environmental education or other related fields
• Knowledge of local natural resources (ecology, identification of birds, plants, etc.)

Schedule: Paid staff training: May 30-June 6 and July 5-7. Camp sessions run June 7 through August 11, with no camp July 3-4.