Summer Camp Assistant

The Summer Camp Assistants will help the environmental education staff to run all aspects of the 2025 summer camps, as well as conduct any other tasks for The Nature Museum as needed. This will include preparing materials for camp activities, looking after camp participants, leading lessons and activities, and break down/clean up after the events of the days and weeks.  Other duties may include cleaning the museum and the grounds, assisting with necessary maintenance for the museum, the grounds, and the playscape, and helping the education staff prepare for other programs and events.

This can serve as a fantastic internship experience for undergraduate and graduate students in related studies! We’re happy to work with you to discuss internship requirements. We will do our best to consider meeting requirements that are within our capacity and ability.

Summer camps at the Nature Museum allow time and space for free play, exploration, hands-on learning, and camper-driven interests. Camp agendas are subject to change as they are made to be flexible and adaptable to accommodate camper interests, outdoor conditions, camp group dynamics, and other circumstances. Our goal is to make each camp experience safe, fun, and engaging! Our camps are almost entirely outdoors to take advantage of the abundance of learning, exploring, and play opportunities of the natural world.

The summer camps will primarily be the “Brave Bears” (6-8 y.o.) and “Wild Walkers” (9-12 y.o) camp groups on-site, M-F for four weeks. There will also be the “Wee Explorers” (4-5 y.o.) camp groups on-site Mon – Wed and Tue – Thur for two weeks. These camps will happen simultaneously during several weeks, with one staff educator and assistant educator assigned to each camp.

Dates and Hours:  Up to 40 hrs/week during camp season, with occasional overtime during busy weeks. Start date of Monday, June 23, 2025. End date of Friday, August 15, 2025. Training (paid) and remaining camp preparations will happen Monday 06/23/25 – Friday 06/27/25. Summer camps will occur between Monday 06/30/25 –  Friday 08/08/25. Final summer camp debrief, clean up, and exit interviews will be Tuesday 08/13/25 – Friday 08/15/25. Working days will be primarily Monday – Friday, with occasional overtime during busy weeks. Work hours and days may vary by week. There will be a total of up to 250 worked hours over the course of the summer not including overtime.

Summer Calendar:

Mon. 6/30/25 – Wed. 7/2/25: Nature Explorers Mon.

• Wee Explorers, 4-5 y.o.

Mon. 7/7/25 – Fri. 7/11/25: Ways of the Woods

• Brave Bears, 6-8 y.o.
• Wild Walkers, 7-11 y.o.

Mon. 7/14/25 – Fri. 7/18/25: Creative Critters

• Brave Bears, 6-8 y.o.
• Wild Walkers, 7-11 y.o.

Mon. 7/21/25 – Fri. 7/25/25: No camps.

• Continued camp prep and other work projects.

Mon. 7/28/25 – Fri. 8/1/25 Wildlife Wonders 

• Brave Bears, 6-8 y.o.

Tues. 07/29 – Thurs. 07/31

• Wee Explorers, 4-5 y.o.

Mon. 8/4/25 – Fri. 8/8/25 Wild Ways

• Brave Bears, 6-8 y.o.
• Wild Walkers, 7-11 y.o.

Hourly Rate: $15/hr. This is a seasonal position that is not eligible for benefits.

Requirements:

• Some experience in childcare, youth education, summer camps, or similar education/care with youth.
• Interest in the natural world and natural sciences.
• Physical requirements: Ability to be on feet for extended periods of time outdoors including on rough/uneven terrain, safely engage in moderate hiking,  able to lift a modest amount of weight (40lbs.), and able to to safely be outdoors in a variety of summer conditions (Heat humidity, rain, full-sun, etc.)
• Must be able to work Monday – Friday, and must be available for the entire camp season (June 23 – August 15). Flexibility MAY be possible with a start date and end date.
• We strongly encourage all Nature Museum staff, including Camp Assistants, to receive all COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for the health of our community and their families.
• Must have reliable transportation to and from The Nature Museum.
• Must be able to pass a fingerprinting criminal background check.