Crafting Instructor

📍 Location: Santa Cruz, CA

💰 Pay Rate: $32 per hour

📅 Schedule: 

• Flexible, part-time hours for April, 2026 - May, 2026
• Summer Camp from June, 2026 - July, 2026: 8:30am - 3:30pm Monday-Friday

Santa Cruz Maker Studios offers an inspiring space for hands-on learning, where children and adults explore crafts, woodworking, 3D modeling, and creative technologies. Our space is designed to evoke imagination, blending a whimsical, tropical atmosphere with hands-on tools and artistic expression. Our afterschool classes and summer camp program fosters creativity, confidence, and hands-on skills, giving young makers the opportunity to explore a wide range of artistic and technical disciplines.

We are seeking a creative and energetic Craft Instructor to lead 3D printing, robotics, woodworking, laser cutting, beading, hand-sewing, and other textile arts activities for our summer camp program serving children ages 7-13. This is an excellent opportunity for a craft enthusiast, educator, or maker who enjoys working with children and fostering their creativity in a fun, engaging, and hands-on environment.

• Lead structured and engaging craft activities in our 3D printing, woodworking, and textiles zone. 
• Guide and supervise campers, ensuring they feel supported and confident in their creative projects.
• The Employee may be asked to assist in other camp zones including but not limited to woodworking, fabrication, and general crafts, as needed to support program operations and ensure camper safety and engagement.
• Teach children how to use materials and tools properly, ensuring a safe and fun learning environment.
• Encourage creativity and independent thinking while helping children develop hands-on skills.
• Prepare and organize materials daily, ensuring smooth transitions between activities.
• Supervise campers at all times, including during free play, lunch breaks, and drop-off/pick-up periods (except during unpaid breaks).
• Maintain a clean, organized, and well-managed workshop space, as well as common camp areas.
• Document camp activities by capturing photos/videos for social media when possible.
• Assist with general administrative tasks related to camp operations.

• Experience working with children ages 7-13 (teaching, camp counseling, childcare, or similar experience).
• Proficiency in crafting skills, including woodworking, fabrication and/or sewing & beading.
• Strong classroom management skills to ensure a structured, safe, and engaging learning environment.
• Friendly, patient, and enthusiastic, with the ability to engage and inspire children.
• Reliable and professional, with excellent communication and leadership abilities.
• Ability to lift and move materials up to 25 lbs.
• Passes a background check (required for working with children).

• Experience leading art classes and crafting workshops in a structured setting.
• Previous work in camp settings, after-school programs, or experiential learning environments.
• Knowledge of creative problem-solving and STEAM-based learning approaches.
• CPR certification is a plus.

📩 To apply, please email your resume, a short cover letter, and two references to scmakerstudios@gmail.com

Visit our website at scmakerstudios.com

📅 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled

Santa Cruz Maker Studios is committed to providing an inspiring, hands-on learning environment that fosters creativity, technical skills, and artistic expression. If you’re passionate about textile arts and helping kids develop confidence through making, we’d love to hear from you!