Outdoor Educator

Christodora, a 126-year-old nonprofit, nonsectarian organization, based in NYC,  seeks Outdoor Educators (OEs) to work at its Manice Education Center (MEC) located in the  heart of the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts on a 200-acre wooded campus for  the 2023 spring, summer, and/or fall seasons. Each spring and fall, MEC hosts two field trips per week for NYC  public middle schools, serving approximately 30 students during each trip; and each summer,  MEC offers a full season of environmental and expedition (backpacking and canoeing) courses for  NYC youth in grades 6-12 with approximately 40 campers in age-grouped sessions, running approximately one to three weeks in length. 

Enjoy living and working in a phenomenal setting for nature enthusiasts and outdoor  adventurers in a forested playground, sandwiched between multiple state forests, rivers, and  ponds. This role is especially applicable for guides, facilitators, teachers, learning specialists,  mentors, paraprofessionals, interpretive rangers, adventure guides, and youth development  specialists.  

OEs in the Fall/Spring School Programs work as residential, recreational camp counselors, facilitating three-day, school-chaperoned, science, technology, engineering, and math  (STEM) field trips at and nearby MEC for our partner NYC public schools. Staff work closely  in a supportive atmosphere and teach small, mixed-gender groups of 12 youth in all types of  weather in forest, mountain, and pond settings  during the spring and fall. The MEC staff lives in similarly rustic housing as students from  Monday through Thursday each week: large, canvas-walled tents on top of large wooden  platforms that can fit up to eight beds. 

Join our Spring Team: April 15 – June 7, 2024 

Join our Summer Team: June 10 – Aug 27, 2024  

Join our Fall Team: Sept 4 – Nov 2, 2024 

Spring/Fall Training Opportunities  

Red Cross First Aid, CPR/AED, low-ropes challenge course facilitation through Project  Adventure, and Verbal Intervention through the Crisis Prevention Institute. Additionally, all educators receive hands-on training and ongoing professional development in the delivery of an active, outdoor, experientially driven curriculum, grounded in social-emotional development and  trauma-informed care  

Summer Training Opportunities  

Wilderness First Aid through SOLO Wilderness Medicine; Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding  (optional); low ropes challenge course facilitation through Project Adventure; Verbal  Intervention through Crisis Prevention Institute; and 1.5 day professional canoe training on flat  and whitewater. Additionally, all educators receive hands-on training and ongoing professional development in the delivery of an active, outdoor, experientially driven curriculum, grounded in social-emotional development and trauma-informed care 

Responsibilities 

• Facilitate low-ropes challenge course activities designed for teamwork, communication,  leadership skills, trust, and social-emotional outcomes
• Inspire curiosity about the natural world through discovery-based activities in a variety of ecosystems
• Plan active and experiential lessons from MEC’s discovery-based curriculum Introduce composting and gardening (including a small flock of chickens) to students Lead nighttime hikes to see the stars and cultivate sensory awareness
• Work closely with other educators within activity groups to create meaningful, problem-based,  experiential, and active environmental science lessons
• Provide overnight supervision on a rotating schedule for up to six youth in canvas-walled, cabin style tents on large wooden platforms
• Celebrate as a camp community with skits, music, and s’mores at our campfire program (rain or  shine) in a covered gazebo surrounded by forest
• Problem-solve unexpected student behavior through restorative circles

Qualifications 

Required: 

• Background clearances and medical physical from a licensed medical professional required
• BA/BS in related discipline, demonstrable professional experience, and/or previous Christodora program experience

Preferred: 

• Experience in environmental education in a residential camp or outdoor setting
• Experience working with middle-school groups from large cities in classroom or outdoor settings
• Spanish/English bilingual a plus
• Valid driver’s license