​Current Employment Openings: 

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• Saturday camps on the second Saturdays of the month from October to May at multiple sites across the East Bay

• Fall break camp from Nov 24-26 in Oakland

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Do you love working with children? Are you an avid hiker with a love of nature & the outdoors? Are you vegan for animals or the environment? How about combining your passions into one fun camp counselor job? At Inspire Behavioral Learning, LLC, we are looking for Nature Camp Counselors to work in seasonal nature camps for elementary school age kids in grades K-5. We seek experienced, enthusiastic, energetic, dynamic, and creative camp leaders to join us in creating and implementing educational programs outdoors. Nature Camp Counselors lead children in outdoor Call of the Wild Camps, day camps in Oakland, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Cupertino, Los Gatos, and Vacaville. Our seasonal fall, winter, spring, and summer nature camps are for kids to connect with nature, hike, read and write, create nature-inspired art, explore, learn biology and environmental stewardship, play and make friends in forests and nature sites of the Bay Area.

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Job description in a nutshell: Nature Camp Counselors actively facilitate nature education and fun learning opportunities for children in forests, nature preserves, and open spaces. This is not a babysitter job or a yard duty job. Camp counselors use emergent curriculum and actively teach, capturing teachable moments and creating playful nature education throughout the day.

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You may be the ideal Nature Camp Counselor for Call of the Wild Camps if:

• You are a dependable team player, communicative, creative, fun, adaptable, friendly, playful, outgoing, energetic, & eager to inspire & engage children in learning by doing

• You care about science, the scientific method, facts, empiricism, reason, critical thinking, & objective reality

• You have experience in nature education, science education, early childhood education, elementary school education, outdoor education, environmental education, literacy education, outdoor recreation, & related fields

• You are vegan: "Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals." - The Vegan Society

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WHO WE ARE: We believe that to inspire learning is to inspire action! We believe in experiential education and lifelong learning. Inspire Behavioral Learning's mission is to empower people to live happier, more independent and fulfilling lives by achieving their health and educational goals. Outdoor educators in Call of the Wild Camps provide a fun, safe alternative to screen addiction; inspire nature connection and curiosity; and foster healthy, positive relationships with flora and fauna in our natural environments.

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WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE:

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• We believe in the wisdom of "be kind to every kind" and the benefits of veganism on animals and the environment.

• We value diversity and include children with disabilities and typically developing children alike in our programs.

• We value the integrity of the whole person and are dedicated to a well-rounded blend of head, heart, and body -- being constant learners, kind and caring, and focused on learning by doing.

• We use emergent curriculum and principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), the science of learning that focuses on observable interaction between the learner and environment.

• We are a small company focused on quality over quantity.

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ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

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• Complete training online and in Call of the Wild Camps locations, such as Tilden Regional Park, Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, Joaquin Miller Park, Roberts Regional Park, Rancho San Antonio County Park, and Lagoon Valley Park (initial training is before the start date of the first session of the camp season)

• Punctually and reliably attend scheduled work hours, rain or shine, including training, staff meetings, and camp session dates

• Safely lead hikes in parks up to approx. 6 miles per day for K-5th graders in small groups

• Maintain a 4:1 or 5:1 student: staff ratio or ratio approved by the camp supervisor

• Implement age-appropriate, grade-appropriate, K-5 level nature-themed science, outdoor education, language arts, art, and motor activities for Call of the Wild Camps

• For East Bay summer camps, implement activities for the theme weeks Enchanted Forest Reading, Enchanted Forest Writing, Enchanted Forest Art, Enchanted Vegan Nature, and Trailblazers

• For Saturday camps, supervise and engage children on occasional science museum trips

• Teach and facilitate fun and positive nature education curriculum on vegan topics such as animal rights, speciesism, health, food, clothing, and the environment

• Teach and lead outdoor language arts activities for children with nature and wilderness themes, including circle time with story time and singing, literary show-and-tell, skits, nature journaling, mapmaking, creative writing, and authoring and illustrating books

• Teach and facilitate science activities on topics in biology, ecology, zoology, life science, environmental science, outdoor education, stewardship, conservation, preservation, etc., integrating naturalistic observation, group discussion, games, children's books, and writing activities

• Teach and engage children in outdoor activities that blend recreation and education, such as nature-themed field games, hide and seek and chase games, forest "I Spy" games, and scavenger hunts

• Teach and facilitate nature-themed arts and crafts

• Engage children with a fun teaching style and high energy, creativity, adaptability, spontaneity, dynamism, and positivity

• Supervise and facilitate children's rest breaks, snack and lunch breaks, and physical play breaks

• Provide naturalistic executive function teaching across diverse activities

• Implement teaching and behavior management based on principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), including prompting, positive reinforcement, and contingencies of reinforcement based on student preferences and choices

• Facilitate emergent curriculum and child-centered, student-centered, experiential, incidental, and play-based teaching and learning opportunities

• Create both structured and incidental learning opportunities

• Keep work materials neat, organized, and in good working condition

• Record accurate, objective incident reports

• Follow all health and safety requirements, and make sure campers follow them

• Drive by personal vehicle during the work shift for emergency or safety-related situations or to access reception as needed under supervisor direction

• Follow all seven leave no trace principles, and make sure campers follow them

• Actively contribute and participate in staff training and meetings

• Proactively communicate camp questions and concerns with the camp director and supervisor

• Follow directions and implement feedback from supervisors

• Interact with students and staff in a kind, caring, respectful, positive, and professional manner

• Represent Call of the Wild Camps in a positive and professional manner with customers, staff, and park visitors

• Mentor and support Counselors in Training (CITs) participating in the internship program

• Meet all of the physical requirements for the job, including standing, bending, sitting, squatting, walking, occasional lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs., hiking up to approx. 6 miles per day on varied terrain in varied weather with a backpack weighing up to 20% of your body weight, visual acuity for reading books, maps, interpretive panels, and signs

• Perform other duties as assigned

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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Education:

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• Proof of your high school diploma or higher degree

• Academic transcripts (unofficial transcripts are permitted) in good standing with a 3.5 minimum GPA. If your school does not provide grades, you do not qualify for this position.

• Proof of a declared major in a relevant discipline or completion of one or more relevant courses, such as biology, environmental science, or education

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Certification and Safety Requirements:

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• Proof of CPR and First Aid certification that remains unexpired through all camps dates you are applying to work. The only accepted CPR and First Aid certification involves passing a live skills assessment with an instructor. Entirely in person or hybrid in-person/online courses are the only acceptable courses. Entirely online courses are not acceptable.

• Proof of current COVID-19 vaccination obtained within 12 months of hire before hire or obtain an exemption for medical or sincerely held religious belief reasons.

• Pass a DOJ and FBI background check.

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Experience:

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• Minimum of one year experience as a camp counselor, outdoor educator, recreation leader, or teacher for outdoor education camps, outdoor recreational camps, nature camps, science camps, STEM camps, STEAM camps, literacy camps, after school programs, or equivalent experience. Babysitting or nannying are not equivalent experience.

• Minimum of one year experience working in person with GROUPS of elementary school age children at K-5th grade level, ages 5-10

• Frequent, regular experience hiking or running trails on varied terrain at least 6 miles in a day

• Experience working in person with culturally, linguistically, and developmentally diverse children

• Experience working in person with students with widely diverse abilities, such as giftedness, typically developing children, children with disabilities (e.g., autism, ADHD, dyslexia, speech and language delays), and English Language Learners (ELL)

• Experience taking initiative leading groups of children

• Experience leading extracurricular enrichment activities in person for children ages 5-10

• Experience implementing effective and appropriate behavior management in person for elementary school age children

• Experience with child development and implementing age-appropriate, grade-appropriate, developmentally appropriate activities in person for children in grades K-5, ages 5-10

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Skills:

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• Ability to hike trails of moderate difficulty on hilly and uneven terrain up to approximately 6 miles a day five days a week for multiple consecutive weeks

• Ability to carry a loaded hiking backpack weighing up to 20% of your body weight for the duration of each camp day

• Fun and engaging teaching style with high energy, creativity, adaptability, spontaneity, dynamism, and positivity

• Kind, caring, compassionate, and patient with learners of all skill levels

• Demonstrate care for children and a desire to help the whole child learn and grow in enjoyable ways, in addition to language arts and/or biology subject-matter competence

• Command of American English phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics

• Eagerness and openness to continually learn and develop your skill set, no matter how minimal or extensive your experience

• Excellent ability to break concepts down into simple and easy steps

• Excellent time-management and organizational skills

• Outstanding oral and written communication skills

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Punctuality and reliable attendance

• Demonstrable love of nature and the outdoors, eco-conscious, and health-conscious

• You can articulate how veganism benefits animals, health, and the environment

• Demonstrable love of language arts and literacy teaching

• Enthusiastic about making education relevant to children's lives

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Other Requirements:

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• You are an adult (age 18 or older), or for summer camps, you will be an adult by June 6, 2026

• Proof of a valid California driver's license

• Proof of auto insurance

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PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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• Experience hiking in the parks you're applying to work in. Check the Call of the Wild Camps pages to view the locations.

• You are vegan, as defined by The Vegan Society and as described on Inspire's website here: What is Veganism?

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PERKS AND BENEFITS:

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• Have fun teaching and inspiring kids in the great outdoors!

• Employees get paid training; paid rest breaks; off-duty lunch breaks; and retirement plan if working at least 30 days

• Referral bonus

• Supportive and friendly environment with coaching and mentorship

• Become part of a company that truly cares about both the employee’s and student’s happiness and success!

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LOCATIONS: Bay Area parks​​​​​. Check the Call of the Wild Camps web pages for more information on all locations.

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• Saturdays camps: second Saturdays of the month Oct-May in East Bay parks & science museums - Lake Chabot, Shorebird Park, Roberts Regional Park, Joaquin Miller Park, Chabot Space and Science Center, The Lawrence Hall of Science, Tilden Park, Dimond Park, UC Botanical Garden, & Lake Merritt

• Fall break camp: Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, Oakland

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SCHEDULE: 

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• Training: before camps start

• Saturday camps: Oct 11, Nov 8, Dec 13, Jan 10, Feb 14, Mar 14, Apr 11 & May 9. 8:55 AM-5:05 PM with breaks included

• Fall break camp: Nov 24-26 (three days). 8:25 AM-4:35 PM with breaks included

 

TRAINING: the week before camp sessions at your assigned sites begin.​

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CLASSIFICATION: Non-exempt employee for temporary, seasonal work

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COMPENSATION: $20.00/hr - $22.00/hr DOE

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JOB TITLE: Nature Camp Counselor may be variously known as or similar to camp leader, camp teacher, camp instructor, outdoor educator, youth leader, youth group leader, program leader, lead counselor, lead camp counselor, elementary program leader, outdoor camp counselor, forest camp counselor, summer camp counselor, spring camp counselor, winter camp counselor, fall camp counselor, hiking camp counselor, science camp counselor, writing camp counselor, reading camp counselor, academic camp counselor, K-5 camp counselor, nature instructor, naturalist, nature camp counselor

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APPLY: Click below to apply for the Nature Camp Counselor at Call of the Wild Camps with Inspire Behavioral Learning®! We look forward to connecting with you!