Outdoor Educator

About Great Camp Sagamore

Great Camp Sagamore is a unique organization that combines the preservation of an Adirondack "Great Camp" with educational programming and guest accommodations. Visitors come for historic tours, residential programs and family events. Staff and guests stay in our iconic buildings, eat in the historic dining hall, provide hospitality, and lead programs that connect people to history and nature.

Great Camp Sagamore is an authentic 1897 National Historic Landmark in the heart of the Adirondack Forest Preserve. We are located in Raquette Lake, NY within 100,000 acres of forest preserve to explore and enjoy.

To learn more about Great Camp Sagamore visit: https://www.sagamore.org/

Working at Great Camp Sagamore

Great Camp Sagamore employs seven year-round staff members and an additional 18-20 during the season (May – October). We have a collaborative work environment where all staff members are expected to lead by example, to work closely together in a positive manner, and to foster a safe, encouraging, and enjoyable community for all staff and visitors. Outdoor Educators implement programs and lead activities with guests as well as help with our camp operations. These staff members focus on environmental and outdoor educational activities, such as guided hikes, paddles, and organized games for our famous intergenerational camps. Content, safety and operational training is part of our orientation experience.

Great Camp Sagamore is committed to creating, supporting and sustaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment that empowers all staff members to grow and to be active within decision making spaces. We are committed to ensuring an anti-racist culture and a work environment free from discrimination and harassment where staff are empowered to bring their authentic selves to every aspect of their work. Great Camp Sagamore does not discriminate based on gender, gender expression, sexual identity, sexual orientation, race, class, color, age, ethnicity, first language, religion or belief, or family, marital, parental, military, or veteran status in any aspect of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotion, discipline, termination, wages, benefits, training, and professional development.

Position Overview

Outdoor Educators help to implement programs and lead activities with guests and visitors throughout the season, providing a warm, welcoming and safe environment for all overnight and day visitors. This position is focused on environmental and outdoor educational activities, such as nature interpretation, guided hikes, paddles, and organized games for our famous Grandparent Grandchild camps and other programs based in history, culture and the environment. Outdoor Educators help to teach and interpret the local Adirondack flora and fauna surrounding Sagamore and convey a sense of environmental stewardship to guests and members of the public that visit Sagamore. Content, safety and operational training are part of our orientation experience. Outdoor Educators will also be trained in the interpretation of Great Camp Sagamore’s history, and will be expected to include relevant historical background in daily presentations alongside nature-related topics.

Great Camp Sagamore is a community and all employees help to facilitate the operations of camp. In addition to one’s job specific duties, other duties may be assigned as needed, including assisting with special events and in other departments, including the kitchen, housekeeping, registrar's office and facilities. 

This is a full-time, seasonal, non-exempt, hourly position that runs from early June through mid-October. The standard work schedule is eight hours per day, five days per week. Days off are arranged so that employees have two days off and have time to pursue their own interests. Compensation includes room and board in our historic rooms and full use of recreational facilities.

Preferred Skills and Experiences

• Love of the outdoors and sharing that love and knowledge with the general public
• Experience in outdoor/environmental education, wilderness education, environmental science, environmental studies, biology, chemistry, geology or other relevant coursework. Associates or Bachelor’s degree preferred, but flexible for the right candidate.
• Strong leadership skills and comfortability guiding groups on outdoor excursions and handling emergency situations as they arise
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Recent graduates, retired people and everyone in-between are encouraged to apply.
• Beachfront lifeguard certification is a plus. Sagamore will cover the cost of training for those interested. We require at least one lifeguard on staff each season.

Benefits

All meals and housing during the season are provided by Great Camp Sagamore in the Dining Hall, and staff have full use of the camp’s amenities, including the Boat House and the open-air bowling alley. Staff members’ friends and family members may enjoy tours, meals, and overnight accommodations at reduced costs.

To Apply

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume, and at least three references to:

Andrew Gillcrist, Program Director

agillcrist@greatcampsagamore.org