Environmental Education Summer Internship

Camp Fire Central Oregon - Environmental Education Summer Internship

Location: Central Oregon

Status: Temporary, summer seasonal

Eligibility: 18 years old, high school graduate

Schedule: While there is some flexibility within the schedule, interns can anticipate the following schedule for the summer:

June 9 - June 13    Staff training (Bend - 20 hours)
June 16 - June 20    Program Prep (Bend - 10 hours)
June 23 - June 27    Tumalo Day Camp (Tumalo 25-47* hours *may include 1-2 nights overnight camping)
June 30 - July 3    Program Prep (Bend - 2 hours)
July 7 - July 11    ExplORegon (La Pine - 25 hours) 
July 14 - July 18    Program Prep (Bend - 10 hours)
July 21 - July 25    Tumalo Day Camp (Tumalo 25-47* hours *may include 1-2 nights overnight camping)
July 28 - August 1    off
Aug 4 - Aug 8    Program Prep (Bend - 2 hours)
Aug 11 - Aug 15    ExplORegon (Three Rivers - 25 hours) Program Prep (Bend - 10 hours)
Aug 18 - Aug 22    Tumalo Day Camp (Tumalo 25-47* hours *may include 1-2 nights overnight camping)

Organization Background:

Camp Fire Central Oregon connects youth to the outdoors, to others, and to themselves. We build strong relationships and provide powerful youth experiences in out-of-school time programs where youth can learn, lead, have fun and be themselves. This is how we support young people as they navigate the challenges of growing up in the world today and learn the life skills they need to thrive.

Camp Fire’s Statement of Inclusion:

Camp Fire believes in the dignity and the intrinsic worth of every human being. We welcome, affirm, and support young people and adults of all abilities and disabilities, experiences, races, ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, religion and non-religion, citizenship and immigration status, and any other category people use to define themselves or others. We strive to create safe and inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and foster positive relationships.

People of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ2S candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Camp Fire is committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our applicants and employees with reasonable accommodations when requested. Camp Fire is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions.

Position Overview:

Our goal is to create an internship experience that will encompass the applicants interested as well as the organizational needs. The purpose of this internship is to give the applicant experience working in the youth development field. Interns will have an opportunity to develop and implement curriculum, assist in program planning, and learn the inner workings of a small non-profit organization. This position will give the intern opportunities to engage with students from kindergarten through high school in a variety of program settings. During the internship, interns will split time between professional development training, planning, and working directly with youth in programs. There is also potential for collaboration with other local non-profit organizations.

Interns will have regular meetings with a supervisor to review progress and ensure expectations are being met. Goal setting, feedback, and reflection will be integrated into the intern’s experience, with coaching and guidance from their supervisor. Interns will learn how to facilitate an inclusive environment, develop youth driven programming, and encourage equitable participation. Interns will have access to professional development training through Camp Fire’s Learning Lab - an educational resource with over 25 hours of online courses which cover a variety of topics related directly to the delivery of quality youth development programs. In addition, the position begins with a 40-hour training week, designed to prepare staff for the programs and overall workflow of the summer. 

Camp Fire Environmental Programs Overview:

Interns will have the opportunity to build curriculum, plan field trips, and practice facilitating engaging, safe and inclusive learning experiences for youth in K-7th grade. Throughout the 10 weeks of summer, interns work in two different programs: 

Tumalo Day Camp: Our environmental based Tumalo Day Camp happens once a month at Tumalo State Park and takes youth pre-K through 7th grade through outdoor skill building progressions. Interns will spend three weeks working at this program. Part of this role includes mentoring high school volunteers who act as Counselors In Training (CIT's) and support the team with running the camp. In addition, one week is spent supporting as the Assistant to the Director - which creates a chance to take on a leadership role - and there are three total overnight camping evenings throughout the summer. (Note: Camp Fire offers camping gear to staff who do not have their own.) 

ExplOregon: This program takes places in in Three Rivers and La Pine, and offers a fun day camp experience for youth in rural communities to connect with outdoor learning. For two weeks, interns work with the STEAM Program Coordinator to teach curriculum to groups K-5 while facilitating engaging, safe and inclusive learning experiences. 

Position Responsibilities Overview:

Camp Fire is seeking a proactive and caring leader to work directly with elementary students and teens.  This includes:

Youth management:

• Developing relationships with youth and supporting youth growth
• Creating and delivering engaging activities and games
• Recognizing and creating social and emotional learning opportunities
• Managing a safe physical and emotional space
• Communicating regularly with program manager about program needs or issues 
• Proactively recognizing program needs, advocating for solutions to set you and your group up for success

Other tasks:

• Supporting curriculum development and sharing program ideas
• Supporting recruitment efforts
• Maintaining and managing supplies as needed
• Maintaining and managing program attendance and other records as needed
• Participating in staff meetings and professional development
• Sharing ideas and skills for all aspects of improvement for our program

Skill and Qualifications:

Applicants who do not meet all of the qualifications listed below but present other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered. We strongly encourage anyone who feels passionate about this work, has a strong desire to grow their skills, and believes they have what it takes to thrive in this role to apply.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working directly with elementary aged youth or demonstrated desire to learn
• Experience with best practices in teaching, group management, planning and designing activities, social-emotional learning, and/or trauma informed care for elementary youth
• Required: First Aid/CPR certified (or ability to get certified by start date or soon after)

Skills:

• Commitment to creating and maintaining a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment
• Demonstrated ability to create developmental relationships and connect with youth and staff
• Ability to effectively manage groups of youth 
• Strong verbal communication skills with youth
• Ability to identify and communicate personal needs for a successful working environment

Compensation: $3,500 stipend paid in bi-weekly installments based on anticpated program hours

To Apply: Camp Fire will begin reviewing applications immediately. Position is open until filled.  Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the employment process.

Learn more about Camp Fire Central Oregon at campfireco.org

Salary : $3,500