Environmental Educator / Naturalist

Want to work right on the lake out in the northern wilderness of Minnesota? Located right on Lake Pokegama on the doorstep of the Chippewa National Forest, Camp Mishawaka is a traditional, overnight outdoor camp serving children ages 8-16. Campers come from all over the country and world – representing 31 different states and 10 different countries – and stay for 2, 4, 6, or 8 weeks at a time. They are creative, hilarious young people looking for a place to grow and make new friends as they immerse themselves in nature in a screen-free environment.

Position Summary:

Camp Mishawaka is looking for passionate environmental educators / naturalists for our 2025 summer season from June 8th-August 8th. The primary role of a Naturalist is to educate campers in environmental-based experiential activities with topics like Lake and Forest Ecology as well as Limnology, Ornithology, Orienteering, and various team-building activities. There is also the opportunity to learn and assist in other camp responsibilities including leading trips into iconic Northland locations such as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Isle Royale National Park and the Superior Hiking Trail

If you are interested in an internship, we are willing to explore adjusting job duties in order to satisfy any specific program requirements.

Essential Responsibilities:

• To spark campers interest in the outdoors through the use of hands-on, experiential, outdoor learning
• Introduce campers to various ecological concepts such as habitats, adaptations & designs, variety, similarity, behavior, communities, conservation, etc.
• To help campers overcome fears associated with the outdoors by teaching them how to better understand nature and to recognize that we are a part of it.

Qualifications:

• Availability between June 8 to August 8
• A bachelor’s degree or be in the progress of earning a B.A. or B.S.
• B.A. / B.S. focus on education, biology, or environmental science preferred
• Previous experience working with children preferred
• CPR, Wilderness First Aid, Lifeguard, and other activity certifications preferred

Competencies

• Enjoy working with children!
• Cultural competence and enthusiasm for working with a diverse and dynamic community
• Ability to communicate with peers, campers, and parents, including written correspondence and record keeping.
• Ability to observe and assess, by sight and sound, dangerous situations and behavior that endangers the camp community.
• Physical ability to lift 40lbs unassisted and move independently from place to place throughout a multi-acre, outdoor camp, maintain your cabin area, including routine cleaning chores and assisting campers in need.
• Capable of appropriate responses in a variety of situations that arise when working with children including regulation of emotions.

Working Conditions:

• You live on the lake for 9 weeks! That means swimming, tubing, skiing, and sailing
• You get to play games and be outside everyday
• Room, board, laundry, and utilities are all covered
• On days off, staff are free to explore the town of Grand Rapids, rest on campus, or check-out Mishawaka equipment like paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes. Staff have access to a camp vehicle on days off to help make visits off campus more accessible.