Farm and Nature Summer Camp Teacher

Common Ground Camp serves children ages 4 – 14. Our campus includes a farm, forest, and lots of opportunities for playing and learning in nature! Camp staff work together to plan activities that range from cooking and fort building to stream stomping and nature arts. We are looking for staff who have big hearts, love kids, and want to spend their summer active and outside. Staff do not need to have expertise in all program areas, but everyone must be ready to work outside, be active, be highly responsible, and have fun with children for all the hours they are at camp. 

Duties for all camp staff include: 

• Support our camp mission and culture through thoughtful participation in camp staff week and staff meetings with the goal of creating a fun, safe, inclusive camp experience for our diverse camp community.
• Work almost entirely outside in nature, in all weather, with good energy and attitude! We have access to indoor spaces for thunderstorms or other outdoor emergencies.
• Supervise & interact with campers during instructional, recreation, and lunch times
• Supervise & direct Counselors and Junior Counselors (ages 14 – 18)
• Responsible for physical/emotional safety of all participants, including proactive behavior management and providing basic First Aid.
• Contribute to clean-up and care for campus and program materials as needed at the end of each camp day.

CAMP TEACHERS create and lead activities that are in line with the mission of the camp. Ideas and resources are provided, and staff have time to develop these activities in collaboration with their staff team during staff training week. Teachers manage the big picture of scheduling and activities for their group, interact daily with camp parents, lead lessons and activities, are the point person for medical and social/emotional needs for children in their group (in collaboration with camp directors and the camp nurse), and meet daily with their staff team to plan and problem solve. 

CAMP ASSISTANT TEACHERS (ages 18 and up) support camp activities and typically do not have daily responsibility for planning and leading activities. Assistant Teachers play an essential role in making sure the needs of our campers are met each day! They serve as an additional helper in hands-on activities, provide one-on-one support to campers as needed, and help ensure an overall great day for their camp team.

Minimum Qualifications:

TEACHERS typically have strong experience in these areas, especially around planning and leading activities and being the lead person responsible for a group of children. ASSISTANT TEACHERS are typically developing their skills in one or more of these areas.  Minimum age requirement of 18 years old.

• Experience working with groups of children in formal or informal settings (school, nature center, summer camp, scouts, etc). Experience with groups of 10 or more children is preferred.
• Ability and desire to work and participate in community with children and adults of all identities. Our staff team and the campers we serve are diverse in many ways, including gender and gender identity, race and culture, sexuality, socioeconomic status, age, religion, and ability and disability. All staff are expected to contribute to a safe, inclusive, and welcoming camp environment.
• Enthusiasm for exploring nature with children. Basic knowledge of the natural world is preferred, but not required in all roles.
• Experience (personal or professional) with one or more program activity areas is preferred. Seeking staff with expertise in camp songs and games, leading music with children, gardening, farm care, hiking and outdoor adventure, naturalist skills, cooperative games, nature arts, building and tinkering, storytelling and role playing games, cooking with children, and outdoor adventure!
• Willingness and ability to work outdoors in all weather (including summer heat & humidity and/or rain) and to be physically active for most of an 8 hour day. This is a physically intensive job that includes significant movement throughout the day, including walking and hiking on uneven terrain, kneeling, bending, lifting, and carrying.
• Ability to be emotionally and socially “on” for the majority of an 8 hour day. A typical day includes 6.5 hours of direct time with campers, requiring emotional presence and energy to engage with children and coworkers.
• Demonstrated commitment, reliability, punctuality, and responsible behavior at previous jobs

All applicants who love nature and children and have relevant experience are welcome and encouraged – our camp staff represent a wide range of ages, backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Common Ground is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Conversations about accommodations that employees would need in order to successfully work at camp are welcome.

Job Schedule:

• Camp dates are weekdays, Tuesday, June 25 – Friday, August 9, 2024 (including staff training week). We are OPEN on Thursday, July 4. Applicants who can commit to all camp dates receive hiring preference.
• Most staff work 8 AM – 4 PM, however we will have a few roles that work from 10 AM – 6 PM and some that work from 2:30 – 6 PM. Schedule preference can be indicated in the online application form.

Location: Common Ground, 358 Springside Ave, New Haven, CT 06515

Hourly pay rate: $16 – $20/hour for new employees, depending on position and level of experience. This is a temporary, seasonal position and is not eligible for employment benefits, union representation, or for a guarantee of work past August 9, 2024. 

A STAFF DISCOUNT on fees is available for camp employees with dependent children ages 4 – 14 and morning and extended day care are provided free for children of employees while their parent is working at camp.