SUMMER CAMP ASSOCIATE SEASONAL

Description

2025 schedule and time commitment:

Summer Camp Training and Prep Schedule (May 19 – 30, 2025)

Summer Camp Schedule (June 2 – 27, 2025) – Monday to Friday 730a to 4p. Attendance mandatory for all four weeks of summer camp.

Position Purpose

Facilitate outdoor, hands-on programs and experiences and create a positive and meaningful camp experience for summer camp participants ages 6 – 8 and 9 – 12. Prepare materials for lessons and activities, monitor camper behavior and maintain an inclusive and safe learning environment. This is a physically active and team-oriented role requiring walking and standing for long periods of time. 

•  Implement and facilitate outdoor, hands-on experiences and programs for summer campers ages 6 – 12 as both a primary instructor and an assistant. 
• Manage a classroom of up to 20 campers with volunteer support assuring that they are properly supervised at all times. 
• Assist in the direction, supervision and organization of campers within activities and throughout the camp in order to meet the intended camper outcomes. Apply basic youth development principles in working with campers through communication and relationship development.   
• Organize daily materials, inventory weekly supplies and maintain an organized activity space.
• Effectively communicate with campers, volunteers and staff.
• Promote and maintain an inclusive, safe, fun and well-organized learning environment.
• Participate in the development and implementation of program activities for campers including responsible for leading or assisting with the teaching of activities and actively participating in all programming. 
• Participate in camp training and preparation prior to camp start.
• Be a role model to campers and staff in attitude and behavior. Set a good example to campers and others regarding general camp procedures and practices including sanitation, schedule and sportsmanship. 
• Adapt to changes in schedule and curriculum when needed. 
• Maintain knowledge of child development stages and learning styles.
• Monitor space for hazards; respond to emergency situations as trained. Follow and uphold all safety and security rules and procedures.   
• Represent the camp when interacting with parents or community members. Provide parents with appropriate feedback and information as needed for their campers to have a successful camp experience. 
• Participate in team meetings and debriefs before and after camp programming
• Work collaboratively with Garden staff and volunteers to ensure program excellence achieved at all levels while promoting and implementing the mission, values and philosophy of the Desert Botanical Garden,
• Follow safety and security protocols when campers are in public while presenting a positive image of the camp. Report safety concerns, updates and program success to the Children’s Education leadership team. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Hourly Pay Rate - $18.50 /Hour

Requirements

• High school graduate or GED.
• Bi-lingual optional (Spanish)  
• Previous experience in a camp setting (preferred).
• Demonstrate group engagement and management capabilities  
• Ability to implement a “ready to play” attitude.
• Ability to interact and be prepared to engage with children ages 6 through 12.  
• Understanding of the development needs of youth. 
• Ability to work quickly, effectively and responsibly without constant direction. A lot of energy and a desire to have fun. 
• Comfortable working around children and large crowds.
• Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity. 
• Possess an optimistic, open-minded attitude.  
• Flexible in a wide range of situations  
• Excellent communication and customer service skills including communicating clearly and effectively. 
• Experience in teaching, environmental studies or closely related field or related work experience.  
• Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid and notify rangers.
• Must be able to assist campers in an emergency situation (fire, evacuation, illness or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervisor of campers. 
• Pass criminal background check and fingerprinting process. 
• CPR/First Aid certified (preferred) 
• Ability to work weekends, holidays and evenings

Equipment Used

Multiple toys, games, and tools to facilitate outdoor learning and enjoyment.

Internal Communication

Frequent communication with Garden employees and volunteers. 

External Communication

Limited

Working Conditions

Must be able to walk, sit, stand, stoop, kneel, crawl, bend, see, hear, speak, read, and type. Manual dexterity and the ability to lift up to 25 pounds required. Much of this role will be outdoors and subject to extreme weather. Must be able to stand for extended period of time on the floor for up to 8 hours. Must be able to lift boxes weighing up to 25 pounts

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Desert Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law.

The Garden fosters and supports workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion to honor the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions of all, to celebrate successes, and to cultivate individual and institutional excellence.

All employees will help add to the Garden’s diversity and fully embrace it. 

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and deliverables of the role. This is not a contract and should not be viewed as such. Other duties may be assigned by supervisor and/or his/her/their designee.

Salary : $19