Overnight Lead Wilderness Instructor

Working Title: Overnight Lead Wilderness Instructor 

Classification: ​​Association Temp Program (Non-Exempt)​ 

Start Date: ​​6/23/2025​ 

End Date: 8/2/2025​, with the opportunity to extend until 8/29/2025 

Duration (months):  Less than 3 

Hours per week: 40  

Days per week / schedule: Sunday-Friday/ Monday-Friday 

Work Location: Arnot Forest Van Etten, NY; 4-H Acres Ithaca, NY 

Supervisor Name & Title: Rachel Bortin, Camp Director 

Compensation: $3,500 

Benefits Eligibility: Not Benefits Eligible​                    

Employment Type: Temporary​ 

Position Summary 

The mission of Primitive Pursuits is to steward the health of our community by fostering life-long  

relationships with the natural world through exceptional mentoring and nature education. We have been providing nature connection programming to people of all ages for over twenty years and are excited to continue our overnight camp program at Arnot Forest. 

An Overnight Lead Wilderness Instructor helps facilitate the core aim of Primitive Pursuits; immersing groups of youth into natural areas, away from facilities and without modern gear, and engaging them in a fun way that sparks a deep, meaningful connection to the natural world, themselves, and each other. The key role of an Overnight Lead Wilderness Instructor is to design, facilitate and supervise all daily all-camp events or activities including but not limited to cookouts, games and team building challenges. Throughout these events and activities, they act as mentors who share their naturalist skills and knowledge, promote stewardship, and nurture a healthy relationship in the outdoor environment.  

An Overnight Lead Wilderness Instructor will work with campers ages 9-16. There will be housing onsite provided in one of our rustic cabins, which includes access to a kitchen and bathrooms. All meals while camp is in session are provided at no cost!  

Overnight camp has the potential to change a young person’s life, come be a part of the team that makes it happen! If you secure your position prior to February 1,2025, you may be able to attend our Adult Earth  

Skills Series Spring program at no cost! 

Required Qualifications 

• 18 years of age or older 

• Must have RTE First Aid OR WFR Certification, and CPR for the Professional Rescuer or higher OR be able to attain it before the start of camp 

• Must pass all required screenings for working at a NYS Summer Camp 

• Attend all of Staff Training June 23-27 and June 30-July 3 (subject to change) 

• Commit to working camp July 6-August 1. May have the opportunity to extend employment to Primitive Pursuits Day camp; August 4-29 

• Must be able to live and stay onsite for training and while camp is in session.  

• Minimum 2-year experience as an overnight naturalist/wilderness instructor OR lead overnight camp counselor working with youth ages 9-16 in an undeveloped setting  

• Experience instructing youth on primitive technologies and wilderness survival/naturalist skills 

• Experience in planning engaging and meaningful weekly and daily activities, projects, games and challenges for youth ages 9-16 

• Works well with minimal supervision and asks for assistance when needed 

• Able to work in a changing outdoor environment and tackle new problems each day 

• Ability to learn and convey skill sets efficiently 

• Possess a high level of comfort and curiosity in the natural world 

• Ability to manage conflict situations appropriately and efficiently                                                                                                        

• Ability to inspire and relate positively with youth 

• Developing skills in specialized areas pertaining to wilderness living and primitive/naturalist skills 

• Values diversity and inclusion and demonstrates an active awareness to issues of cultural appropriation and privilege 

• Aim to uphold the 4 Values of camp: Belonging, Gratitude, Awareness, Getting Outside, in all interactions with campers, staff, families and parents and within programs, and activities   

• Strong commitment to teaching and to sharing an appreciation for nature with people of all ages 

• Other Duties as assigned  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Ability to reflect on a range of personal experiences working independently and within a team 

• Past experiences working with people of diverse educational and cultural backgrounds 

• Experience in helping people with homesickness and/or separation anxiety 

• Experience with Coyote mentoring 

Responsibilities

• Create and lead day and night experiential environmental immersion activities for all campers ages 9-16 including cookouts, games, team building challenges, etc. for diverse groups of youth in the context of wilderness survival, living skills, outdoor/naturalist skills and knowledge 

• Work collaboratively with other overnight camp staff and summer camp leadership 

• Assist Program Specialists with facilitation and safety of specialized activities and skills 

• Role-model passion, enthusiasm and comfort around engaging with the elements of nature 

• Facilitate group energy and responding swiftly to group needs to effectively manage and engage each participant in a positive experience 

• Actively contribute to preparing, delivering, and evaluating each week and each day of programming 

• Responsible for adequate supervision of campers at all times 

• Enforcing and following all safety and risk management procedures and policies in all aspects of camp  

• Create and model an emotional, social, and physically safe environment in which campers and staff can thrive 

• Represent the high caliber of the organization when speaking to parents, staff and campers 

• Ability to speak to family members regarding camper behavior, conflicts, or situations 

• Deliver high-adventure experiences while keeping an unfailing eye on the safety of each activity, each participant and co-worker in accordance with risk management protocols 

• Work and be on site during all required trainings and while camp is in session 

• Supervise campers overnight in a cabin AND/OR outside in hand made shelters/ tents 

• Facilitate end of the day debriefs, discussions and gratitude’s  

• Actively work with youth ages 9-16 

• Other Duties as assigned 

How to Apply 

Please complete our online application including a cover letter and resume. 

Applications will be accepted until April 1, 2025 or until all positions are filled. 

Interviews will begin December 1, 2024. 

For applicants who have passed all necessary background checks and have officially accepted the position prior to February 1, 2025, may be offered to attend our Adult Earth Skills Series Spring program at no cost! 

Contact 

Rachel Bortin, Camp Director, primitivepursuits-opportunities@cornell.edu  

Additional Info 

Please be sure to read the Notice to Applicants found on the Jobs with CCE page: https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/join-us/jobs 

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County provides equal program and job opportunities. No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or qualified disability. Individuals who bring a diverse perspective and are supportive of diversity are strongly encouraged to apply. 

No relocation or VISA Sponsorship available. 

The Association may make reasonable accommodations to enable applicants to participate in the hiring process and employees to perform the essential functions of their job. If you require an accommodation so you may participate in the selection process you are encouraged to contact CCE Tompkins HR at tompkins-hr@cornell.edu.  

Salary : $3,500