Nature Day Camp Counselor (Summer)

Camp Wa-Ya, in Olympia, WA, is hiring Day Camp Instructors. We offer camps for kids ages 6-13 and our programs focus on environmental education, Indigenous culture, and outdoor play.

All Wa-Ya staff engage in a culturally integrated environment, where Wa-Ya’s values of respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion are practiced.

We are also hiring Adventure Camp (Overnight Trip) Instructors.

Staff are needed from June 15th until August 29th and work Monday-Friday.

Compensation: Lead Instructors earn $760/week. Assistant Instructors earn $680/week.

TO APPLY: Visit our website at www.wayaoutdoorschool.com/Jobs

PLEASE DO NOT apply through really.

Position Overview:

Day Camp Instructors are responsible for supervising and leading (with a co-instructor) a group of 10-12 campers. Each week has a different theme, ranging from marine science to survival to nature crafts.

This position creates and teaches lessons, runs activities, and organizes games for their group of campers. Camp Wa-Ya staff and campers spend most of their day outdoors, engaged in regular activity. Our programs include hiking, kayaking, and outdoor skills, and Instructors should be prepared to work outside in any weather. Instructors are responsible for driving campers in 12- and 15-passenger vans.

Schedule & Location:

This position is expected to work on-site from June 10-August 29, 2025. All programs run Monday-Friday. Each Adventure Camp trip includes a day in Olympia, followed by the overnight trip Tuesday-Friday. Day Camp shifts are approximately 8 hours, although additional time may be needed for curriculum prep, cleanup, or to provide routine child care.

Camp Wa-Ya is based at Tumwater Historical Park, off of I-5, just south of Olympia, WA. While our days start and end at THP, our campers & instructors travel by van to sites throughout the Olympia area each day.

Compensation:

Compensation: Compensation for this position is a $760 per week salary ($19/hour equivalent). This position is expected to work 40 hours per week, between the hours of 8am and 5pm.

Wa-Ya has local connections to help you find affordable housing during your summer contract.

Responsibilities:

• Develop curriculum and create and teach lessons that achieve Wa-Ya’s learning objectives related to environmental education topics.

• Teach South Puget Sound plant identification, natural history, conservation, marine biology, geology, river systems, survival skills, orienteering, and Indigenous culture.

• Provide instruction in activities including hiking, kayaking, swimming, survival, and art projects.

• Ensure the routine integration of tribal culture lessons and activities, with the assistance of Wa-Ya’s Tribal Fellow, as well as visiting Indigenous community leaders.

• Assist with weekly preparation and camp clean-up.

• Provide care and quality control of Wa-Ya field and adventure equipment and teaching supplies, including maintaining a well-organized and clean equipment storage room.

• Provide mentoring and direction to Wa-Ya Assistant Instructors and summer interns and actively engage them in daily camp activities, logistics, and lesson delivery.

• Drive the Wa-Ya vans (12- and 15-passenger) to teaching sites, including periodically towing Wa-Ya’s sea kayak trailer.

• Engage with parents, guest speakers, board members, and other camp staff.

• Follow camp policies and procedures and ensure the safety and well-being of all participants at camp.

Qualifications:

Applicants who do not meet all the qualifications listed below but present other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered. If you are passionate about this work, please apply!

• A passion for inspiring and educating youth and connecting them to their authentic selves, their environment, science, and Native perspectives.

• Experience working with youth.

• Experience supervising staff or peers.

• Knowledge, skills, and abilities to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving, prioritizing, conflict management, and multitasking skills.

• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver environmental science and/or outdoor curriculum to kids.

• Familiarity and experience in at least two of the following: environmental education, outdoor adventure activities, ecological science/research, native cultures.

• Familiarity with local flora and fauna; and STEAM activities.

• Experience participating in or teaching adventure-related activities including, but not limited to, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, and outdoor survival.

• Curiosity, patience, and reliability.

• Available to work 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday.

• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.

• Comfortable working outdoors all day in all summer weather conditions.

• Valid driver's license, clean driving record, and ability to pass a background check.

• First Aid/CPR certified (Wa-Ya can help you with this!)

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $680.00 - $760.00 per week

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19