Outdoor Education Instructor

Outdoor Education Instructor

Location: Camp Sealth, Vashon Island

Dates: August 28th, 2024 to November 17th, 2024

Position Overview: 

Camp Sealth is seeking individuals to be a part of our spring outdoor education team who have an enthusiasm for the outdoors, have experience teaching and/or leading groups of students, and are looking for an opportunity to become part of a small, hard-working camp community. Applicants should display creativity, compassion, self-motivation, and be ready to share their love of nature with students!

This position encompasses many different aspects of camp life including:

• Leading outdoor education activities
• Kitchen operation and cleaning
• Site maintenance
• Working a (generally) Wednesday through Sunday schedule including some evenings and may involve several multiple-day stretches where work is not available (You are welcome to stay in your on-site housing during these stretches but meals and paid work may not be available).
• Living in communal housing in rustic heated camp buildings.
• Living on a rural island where traveling without a car can be challenging.

Outdoor Education Instructors facilitate activities and curricula for youth and adults of all ages and backgrounds in the following program areas:

• Forest Ecology
• Wildlife Ecology
• Wetlands Ecology
• Marine Ecology
• Soil Ecology
• Astronomy (currently unavailable)
• Initiatives (field game-style team-building activities)
• Challenge Course
• Bouldering Wall
• Archery
• Fire Building
• Shelter Building
• Compass Orienteering
• Knot Tying
• Guided Hikes

Organizational/Site Overview:

Camp Sealth is located on Vashon Island and covers 400 wooded acres, including a mile and a half of saltwater beach on Puget Sound. Camp Sealth has been owned and operated by Camp Fire Central Puget Sound since 1920 and serves public and private schools in the Puget Sound area as well as non-profit organizations. Camp Fire Central Puget Sound offers a variety of co-ed enrichment opportunities that empower youth, staff, and volunteers to discover their sparks, gain confidence, build essential life skills, value the natural world, and be active contributors in their communities. Camp Fire Central Puget Sound is an organization that supports diversity and inclusion. We expect our staff and volunteers to demonstrate respectful interactions with all guests and other staff in all communications and functions as a representative of the organization. We strive to create an environment where each youth and staff member has a sense of belonging, opportunities to share their passions, and a place to thrive.

Vashon Island is a rural community accessible only by ferry. There is limited public transit service around the island. The cost of transportation to Camp Sealth is entirely your own responsibility. We can provide a pick-up at the airport, bus, train, or ferry terminals at the beginning and end of your employment. Camp Sealth will also provide transportation for occasional staff recreational activities on break days, but all other transportation to/from Camp Sealth is your own responsibility.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Using Camp Sealth’s curricula, plan and lead educational and engaging lessons in outdoor and environmental education for groups of students.
• Help maintain educational materials for use in the Outdoor Education program, program areas, and rental areas such as Rounds Hall, marine touch tanks, garden, worm bin, archery range, bouldering wall, and challenge course.
• Help facilitate student and teacher orientations, meals, transitional times, and evening activities including campfires, large group games, and evening hikes.
• Facilitate activities for weekend rental groups.
• Food preparation, service, storage, and clean-up under the direction of the Food Service Director.
• Prepare and clean camp facilities (sweeping, mopping, and basic disinfection).
• Assist with additional operational duties as needed (seasonal deep cleaning, installation and removal of floating docks, and other basic camp maintenance).

Essential Experience and Qualifications:   

• High school diploma or equivalency
• Experience with outdoor education, environmental science, recreation, education, or related fields in a personal or professional capacity
• Experience working with youth
• Enthusiasm for teaching environmental science to people of all backgrounds and abilities
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Working independently and collaboratively with a team on a set of tasks to completion
• Flexibility to changes in schedule and program plans (sometimes with limited notice)
• Ability to live and work comfortably as a part of a small, on-site community
• Current First Aid and CPR training or ability to obtain it (can be obtained and paid for by Camp Sealth after a job offer is made)
• Current Washington Food Handler’s Permit or ability to obtain it (can be obtained and paid for by Camp Sealth after a job offer is made)

Desired Experience & Qualifications:

• Degree or some college education in environmental science, biology, recreation, education, or a related field
• Experience with any of the Outdoor Education program areas listed previously
• Lifeguard certification and/or lifeguarding experience
• Wilderness First Aid/Wilderness First Responder certification

Compensation/Benefits:  

• $96.00 per day.
• Communal housing with other Outdoor Education staff which may involve sharing a bedroom (we try to offer staff personal rooms whenever possible but sometimes do not have the equitable space available to do so).
• Partial board (meals provided during training and when Camp Sealth programs or rentals involve meal service). You will also have access to a communal kitchen shared with the other Outdoor Education staff.
• Paid training in the facilitation of all activities, lessons, and program areas.
• Free Tele-Health service.
• Hike, enjoy wildlife sightings, and relax on 400 acres of forested property with 1.5 miles of waterfront on Puget Sound.
• Potential for college credit toward recreation, outdoor leadership, and education internships.