Nature Camp Counselor

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Do you love working with children? Do you love the outdoors, nature, and hiking? Are you passionate about children's books, reading, and writing, and do you want to make learning fun for kids? How about combining your passions into a fun camp counselor opportunity?

 

At Inspire Behavioral Learning, LLC, we are looking for teen camp counselors to intern for seasonal day camps. Interns assist camp employees working with kids in grades K-5 in Call of the Wild Camps in Oakland, CA and Berkeley, CA. Our nature camps are for kids to hike, read, write, explore, learn, and play in forests of the East Bay!

 

Our ideal nature camp counselors are outgoing, friendly, dynamic, creative, fun, energetic, and dependable outdoor lovers who are eager to inspire and gain experience with elementary school kids. The #1 preferred quality is eagerness and openness to learn and develop your skill set. Teens interested in education and environmental science are encouraged to apply!

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SCHEDULE: 

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• Training: the week before camps begin (June 5-9 for Summer 2023), minimum 3 day attendance mandatory; ongoing training during camps.

• Summer Camps: Mon-Fri, June 12-August 11 (except July 4th is a day off), 8:30 AM-4:30 PM. You may alternatively select a half day schedule (8:30 AM-12:30 PM or 12:30 PM-4:30 PM). Camps are held June-August at Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley; in June at Joaquin Miller Park in Oakland; and in July at Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in Oakland.

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ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

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• Actively participate in intern training, completing initial training (week of June 5 for Summer 2023) and ongoing training

• Punctually and reliably attend scheduled hours rain or shine

• Assist camp staff in safely leading hikes for K-5th graders in small groups

• Assist with outdoor language arts activities for day campers 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

• Assist with hands-on science activities in biology, ecology, zoology, life science, environmental science, outdoor education, environmental stewardship, conservation, preservation, etc.

• Assist with engaging day campers in outdoor activities that blend recreation and education, such as nature-themed field games, hide and seek and chase games, crafting and playing forest "I Spy" games and scavenger hunts

• Assist with nature-themed arts and crafts 

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

• Assist with children's snack and lunch breaks

• Assist with prompting and positive reinforcement to help children learn

• Assist with emergent curriculum and child-centered, student-centered, naturalistic, incidental, and play-based teaching and learning opportunities

• Work closely and cooperatively with camp staff, assisting in daily scheduled activities

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

• Follow all health and safety requirements

• Assist day campers in following safety rules and leave no trace principles

• Proactively communicate camp questions and concerns with the camp staff

• Follow directions and implement feedback from camp supervisor

• Represent Call of the Wild Camps in a positive manner with campers, parents/guardians, staff, and park visitors

• Perform other duties as assigned

 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

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Education:

 

• Current enrollment in grade 9-12

• Minimum 3.0 current GPA and in good academic standing

 

Experience:

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• Experience hiking trails of moderate difficulty on hilly and uneven terrain up to approximately 6 miles a day

 

Skills:

 

• 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 in summer)

• Ability to assist teaching kids with a fun and engaging style, high energy, creativity, adaptability, spontaneity, dynamism, and positivity

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

• Ability to make biology and language arts fun and interesting for elementary school age children 

• Eagerness and openness to continually learn and develop your skill set

• Ability to break concepts down into simple and easy steps

• Ability to work as part of a team

• Punctuality and reliable attendance

• Demonstrable love of nature and the outdoors

• Enthusiastic about making education relevant to children's lives

 

Other Requirements:

 

• Access to reliable transportation for getting to and from camp sites in Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, Joaquin Miller Park, and/or Tilden Regional Park

• Pass a DOJ and FBI LiveScan background check after accepting an offer to intern

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

 

• 1 year experience with elementary school age children (does not need to be formal volunteer work, internships or employment)

• Familiarity with Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, Joaquin Miller Park, and/or Tilden Regional Park

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SUMMER 2023 INTERNSHIP STIPEND (OUSD STUDENTS ONLY):

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For students interning through OUSD's ECCCO program, a stipend is available upon completion of a Demonstration of Mastery Project and the below hours in a summer internship experience:

• 100 hours - eligible for a stipend of $1,000.00

• 50 hours - eligible for a stipend of $500.00

• 25 hours - eligible for a stipend of $250.00

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WHAT YOU GET:

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• Have fun assisting with teaching kids in the outdoors!

• Supportive and friendly environment with coaching and mentorship

• Intern experience to enhance college applications and build a resume

• Successful interns may be invited to return to intern for future seasonal camps

• Successful interns may be invited to apply for employment upon receiving a high school diploma and turning 18 (Inspire's camp counselor employee position is $19-22/hr DOE)

• Become part of a company that truly cares about the happiness and success of all interns, employees, and students!

 

LOCATIONS: Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park and Joaquin Miller Park (Oakland, CA) and Tilden Regional Park (Berkeley, CA)

 

CLASSIFICATION: Internship, seasonal.

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Ready to get started? We look forward to connecting with you!