Nature-Based Summer Camp Counselor

Summary

Turtle Island Children's Center (TICC) in Montpelier, VT is offering a nature-based summer camp for a group of children ages 6-9. Camp runs for seven weeks in the summer, beginning July 7. Our program day is 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM Monday through Friday, except for holidays and staff meeting days.

Campers enjoy on-site games and activities each day before they take off for the trails! With backpacks packed for day-long adventures, children will explore the woods, fields, and paths surrounding our Country Club Road location. Equipped with practical tools for hands-on fun, campers will have the chance to engage with the natural materials in the forest, splash in streams, run through the woods, and form new relationships with each other and with the land.

If possible, Campers will take a weekly in-town field trip to places like the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, the Montpelier Pool and recreation fields, the Vermont History Museum, Hubbard Park, and more!

The Summer Camp Counselor position at Turtle Island Children's Center is a full-time, non-exempt position. This person will ideally begin training, planning and preparation work the week of June 15, which will be worked out in collaboration with the TICC leadership team. If you are qualified for and interested in the position but not available for the full seven weeks, please go ahead and apply, as we may have some flexibility in our staffing arrangements.

Duties

We are looking for folks who love to be outdoors and want to foster a connection to nature in young children. The primary responsibilities of the Counselor role include, but are not limited to:

Supporting the daily operations of summer camp

Implementation of practices aligned with TICC policies and Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations

Working collaboratively in a team

Construction of emergent curriculum & activities for children in an outdoor setting

Comfort with spending the majority of each day outdoors

Leading activities, games, and field trips

Ensuring children are safe and well cared-for, while allowing for safe risk-taking

Requirements

• At least 18 yrs old (may be able to hire a 16-17 year old, depending on qualifications)
• Experience working with children in grades K-4, ideally in an outdoor setting.
• Patience and flexibility in an ever-changing environment.
• Experience with planning curriculum/activities, and managing a daily schedule.
• Open and effective communication with coworkers, children and families.
• Experience communicating with parents and caregivers.
• Commitment to social & environmental justice.
• CPR and First Aid Certified or willingness to complete CPR/First Aid training.
• Be able to kneel, bend, squat, lift, push, pull, and carry 50 lbs.

Nice To Haves

Relevant coursework in education or environmental/outdoor education

Benefits

Working in a beautiful outdoor environment with a strong and passionate team of educators.

Paid time off, accrued based on hours worked.

50% off camp tuition for your child.

Professional development, as available.

Possibility for school year employment after camp ends