Nature Specialist-Summer Sleepaway at Camp Kaufmann 2025-Temporary

Summer Sleepaway 2025 at Camp Kaufmann
Nature Specialist

Position Description
The Nature Specialist is responsible for planning, implementing, and facilitating nature-based and outdoor education programming for all campers, ages 8-17. They act in accordance with the New York Department of Health (NYDOH), Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), and the American Camp Association (ACA) standards, and demonstrate the mission of Girl Scouting and the positive impact of camp.

Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging outdoor and environmental activities to campers from diverse social, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
• Work independently and in collaboration with the Camp Leadership Team to develop creative nature-based programming appropriate for the ages and abilities of campers.
• Serve as program lead for the “Earth Keepers” week at camp, developing content using the GSUSA badge curriculum and with support from Camp Leadership.
• Manage and assist in maintaining the nature classroom, butterfly garden, frog pond, nature trails, storage spaces, and other program areas.
• Maintain clean and organized program areas, including first aid kits and inventory of supplies and equipment necessary for nature-based programs.
• Be prepared for each activity period, creating a safe and engaging environment for campers.
• Support Unit Staff and their campers as they complete badgework and prepare for their badgework showcases.
• Mentor high school Counselors-in-Training (CITs) as they assist in facilitating activities.
• Provide coverage for Unit Staff during activities, meals, unit time, and overnight as needed.
• Assist campers and staff in emergency situations; training provided.
• Enthusiastically participate in all aspects of camp, including staff training, structured and unstructured activities, team building, and debriefing.
• Demonstrate quick thinking, excellent communication, sound problem-solving techniques, and ability to work as a team player.
• Model and teach camp expectations for campers and staff regarding cleanliness, personal hygiene, punctuality, mutual respect, appropriate language, and appropriate attire.
• Assist with camp administrative work, including keeping records and preparing reports, as assigned and under the direction of Senior Leadership.
• Help ensure that daily camp activities follow ACA and NYSDOH standards.
• Comply with all policies communicated in staff training and staff manual.
• Abide by the mission and values of the Girl Scouts.
• Provide excellent customer service to campers, caregivers, camp visitors, and other staff.
• Perform other tasks and responsibilities assigned by the Camp Leadership Team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Be at least 18 years old by July 1, 2025.
• High school diploma or the equivalent.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience teaching youth; informal environmental education preferred.
• Demonstrated interest in environmental science, outdoor skills, or stewardship-based conservation.
• Demonstrated ability to manage challenging behavioral situations with youth effectively.
• Desire and ability to work with and relate to campers and staff from diverse backgrounds in an outdoor environment.
• Patience, sense of humor, integrity, and an ability to adapt well to changing situations.
• The acceptance and understanding that employment is at a sleepaway (overnight) camp and that work hours are long and irregular.
• Possess the strength and endurance required to succeed in a sleepaway camp environment.
• Clearance through the Sex Offender Registry and Criminal Background Check.
• Willingness to prioritize the needs of Girl Scouts of Greater New York and Camp Kaufmann.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior camp experience and/or interest in the outdoors.
• Prior curriculum and content development experience.
• Pursuing an environmental studies, science education, natural history, or other environmental-related degree.
• Experience or interest in the Girl Scout program and youth leadership development.
• Must live local to camp or on site and be available to work the ENTIRE duration of:
  • Staff training: June 24 – July 5. Additional certification classes may be required.
  • Summer camp programming (5 sessions): July 6 – August 8.
  • Camp closing/clean up: August 9 – August 10.
  • Time off: Friday evening to Saturday evening weekly, except July 5th.
  • Applicants who cannot commit to these dates will NOT be considered.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to lift 40 pounds.
• Good health and the stamina necessary to work in a camp setting.
• Ability to stand and/or walk for long periods of time while leading programming.
• Bending, crouching, kneeling, climbing may all be a part of daily tasks.

Compensation

• $100 - $120 per diem rate, based on prior experience and certifications.
• Room and board while at camp.
• Cost of travel to/from NYC weekly, plus other off-camp excursion opportunities.

No phone calls, please.

The Girl Scouts of Greater New York are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the essential functions and requirements of this job. Incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description. Any essential function or requirement of this job will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent or applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Reasonable accommodation(s) for the specific disability will be made for the incumbent or applicant when possible. 

Salary : $100 - $120