EcoCamp Counselor

OVERVIEW:

Pickering Creek Audubon Center conserves natural habitats on Maryland’s Eastern Shore by engaging and empowering our community through exploration, education and stewardship. The Center includes over 450 acres of mature hardwood forests, fresh and brackish wetlands, meadow, agriculture and over a mile of shoreline.

During the school year, Pickering educators provide in-depth science-based environmental education for four nearby counties.  Each summer, for over 20 years, Pickering Creek’s tremendously popular EcoCamp provides engaging outdoor experiences with nature that inspire kids to want to be outside.  Camp counselors serve as mentors in encouraging exploration, and guide campers to new experiences and finding what interests them in nature through games and fun outdoor activities.

POSITION SUMMARY:

EcoCamp Counselors will lead camper groups and empower teen volunteers to assist in running our successful weekly nature-themed day camp for K-7th graders, working closely with the EcoCamp Director and Assistant Director. The successful candidate will be passionate about leading and organizing outdoor nature-based experiences for youth ages 5-15 and demonstrate a commitment to learners of all backgrounds. The EcoCamp Counselor position is a 11-week, 37-40 hour per week position from June 3 to August 16, 2024 with three unpaid holidays on June 19, July 4 & 5. Scheduled hours are typically 8am-5pm. Some weekend and evening time is required.  Camp runs Monday to Friday, 9am -4pm. Though there are no campers during the week of July 4th, counselors will use work days to plan and prepare for upcoming weeks of camp.

Your Pickering Creek experience will:

• Improve your skills in guiding students in a student-directed learning framework
• Increase your natural history skills around freshwater and tidal wetlands, meadows, ponds, forests and the wild inhabitants of these spaces
• Help you practice and share your mentoring skills
• Remind you of your own childhood as you connect with the joys of working with school-aged children
• Provide the opportunity to walk within and explore over 450-acres of stunning wildlife habitat on a daily basis.
• Give you experience working with a small yet highly dedicated staff, diverse in age, race, gender and experience.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Create a safe and fun environment so campers can explore, discover, and play at their own pace throughout our forest, creek, and wetlands. Lead a group of campers (12). Campers entering grades K-7 are arranged into two age groups, and each of the three counselors will work with all age groups throughout the summer.
• Assist in training and supervising our teenaged Junior Naturalists to help jumpstart child-led exploration, create and lead activities appropriate for each age group, weekly camp theme and habitat.
• Work with fellow camp staff to make adjustments to activities and tools provided to campers based on interest, group dynamic and weather.
• Serve as a role model naturalist to our campers and Junior Naturalists.
• Lead by example in respectfully interacting with nature and each other.
• Participate in the care and tank maintenance of our animal ambassadors.
• Work with staff to clean and maintain trails, buildings, and equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience working with children in an informal educational or recreational Experience may be achieved by combining time from multiple positions or roles.
• A passion for working with children and making a difference.
• You must be comfortable and prepared to get dirty and investigate the natural world alongside the campers as they self-direct their exploration.
• Must be comfortable canoeing with children. Canoe/kayak experience or ability to learn.
• Enjoy working with children of all ages in an outdoor setting.
• Dependable, energetic, flexible, patient, and self-motivated.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to supervise teen volunteers.
• Professional and friendly manner.

COMPENSATION

$16 per hour

Shared waterfront apartment-style onsite housing available

Unpaid holidays- June 19 and July 4 & 5