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Job Description: Summer Camp Instructors are responsible for planning and implementing week-long day camps for children ages 7 to 14. Each instructor is responsible for a group of up to 12 campers per week. Instructors have a unique and important responsibility to foster a connection to nature in each camper through age-appropriate, educational, place-based, hands-on, and fun experiences. Instructors strive to create an inclusive environment in which every camper feels physically and emotionally safe and can build their confidence in the outdoors. Instructors model enthusiasm for nature, curiosity, and learning. They communicate with parents and guardians on a daily basis. Instructors are supported through open and ongoing communication with fellow instructors and the program coordinator. Summer camp instructors will work 30-40 hours a week, though some weeks will require more hours and others less.

About the ELC: The CSU ELC is an outreach program housed within the Warner College of Natural Resources. Our mission is to inspire and educate people to connect with and become stewards of our natural world. We operate as a learning-lab; aside from our program coordinator and our director, all of our employees are CSU students interested in gaining experience in environmental education and communication. Our student educators plan and facilitate all of our programs, a majority of which serve a K-12th grade audience.

About our Summer Camp Program: CSU ELC summer day camps aim to connect youth to our natural world through learner-led inquiry, hands-on and active exploration, and fun in a safe environment. We hold nine, week-long summer day camps for ages 7-11 and one. Each camp explores a different environmental topic (e.g., plants, the river), but all of our camps focus on getting children outside, comfortable and connected to the natural world. Camps take place at our East Drake site (2400 S. Co. Rd. 9, Fort Collins) and run from 8:30am-4:30pm Mondays through Fridays.

Major responsibilities:

  • Work with program coordinator and co-instructors to plan themed, age-appropriate, hands-on, place-based lessons
  • Communicate daily with parents and guardians regarding how their camper is doing
  • Attend and actively participate in staff training and weekly staff meetings
  • Facilitate safe, educational, fun and meaningful experiences for campers
  • Model enthusiasm for nature and learning
  • Model effective teaching and group management techniques for counselors-in-training
  • Commit to creating an inclusive environment that values each camper, instructor, and counselor-in-training and the experiences, skills, knowledge, attitudes, and ideas they bring to the community
  • Pick up after camp each day to maintain a clean and safe environment for campers
  • Help out with other programs as needed and able
  • Have and maintain CPR and First Aid (child and adult) certifications by start date and through employment

Desired skills and abilities:

  • Experience working with elementary aged children (in an outdoor camp environment is a plus)
  • Strong communication skills with adults and children
  • Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Strong desire to create quality camp experiences
  • Knowledge of the local environment (e.g., flora, fauna, ecosystems) or demonstrated commitment to learning about local environments
  • Ability to work long days with a positive attitude
  • Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability

Desired behavioral traits and attitudes:

  • Enthusiastic and friendly personality
  • Strong interest and experience teaching environmental education in an informal setting
  • Passion for the ELC’s mission
  • Concern for a healthy environment
  • Team-player, fun, outgoing, motivated, dependable, creative, organized, resourceful, and flexible
  • Hard-working with a positive attitude

How to apply:

Apply on Handshake with your resume, cover letter, two references, and responses to the following prompts: 1) Briefly describe your experience working with children, 2) Identify and describe three traits or skills you would bring to this position. 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled. Apply early. 

Hourly Pay Rate : $16.00/hour

Benefit Information: Employee Benefit information can be found on HR’s Website.

Number of Openings: 7

Start Date: May 20, 2024

Background Check: Colorado State University may conduct background checks on all final candidates.