Summer Day Camp Naturalist

Summer Day Camp Naturalist 2025

Yampatika seeks caring, engaging, and creative individuals to join our summer day camp team from June 2nd – Aug. 8th. Yampatika’s mission is “to inspire environmental stewardship through education” and our day camp is one of the big ways that we further that mission. Our goal is to provide a fun, safe, and engaging space for kids in the Yampa Valley to spend time outdoors and build positive relationships with our staff, fellow campers, and nature. If you have a passion for the outdoors and for inspiring youth to connect with the natural world, come explore with us! We do have housing available.

General Job Description

Summer camp naturalists work as a team during one week of training and ten weeks of outdoor-based day camp to care for and teach children ages 5-14 years old. Day Camp sessions run Monday through Friday, 8-5 except when there is an overnight scheduled (this will be on Thursdays for our 9-11 year olds and Wednesday -Friday for our 12-14 year olds ). Under the direction of the Camp and Facilities Manager, you will be responsible for managing the safety and the schedule of the kids in your care along with other Summer Day Camp Staff. Each staff member is responsible for helping to plan and lead activities, games, and field trips according to the weekly themes and for delivering high-quality, science-based environmental education in an inspiring and professional manner. Summer Camp Naturalists may assist with other programming on occasion and are responsible for assisting in daily site maintenance. Compensation is $19/hour with time and a half overtime guaranteed each week. Our regular work week consists of 45 hours with additional hours for overnight work. We are also offering a $700 Completion Bonus to all staff who are able to complete their contracted dates. Yampatika summer camp is based out of Legacy Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for the care of up to 12 kids along with a fellow summer staff member.
• Confidence in leading many different types of programming for school-age children including but not limited to hikes, games, arts and crafts, inquiry-based activities, nature play, investigations, and other educational activities.
• Safely transporting kids in a 15-passenger van.
• Maintain a friendly, professional, and engaging presence with both children and adults through proper uniform and interaction in the field and on-site
• Ensure that safety and well-being are always a priority; manage children’s safety in outdoor settings using good supervision, judgment, and decision-making; administer and document first aid as needed.
• Help plan and prepare lessons and activities based on the curriculum and resources provided.
• Work with other Camp Naturalists to submit prepared lessons, activities, and supply lists to the Camp Director at least 5 days in advance of a program.
• Cultivate an inclusive community that honors the different backgrounds, needs, and identities of both kids and fellow staff.
• Assist in the maintenance of supplies, safety, and cleanliness of Yampatika’s Environmental Learning Center at Legacy Ranch and communicate all repair/maintenance needs of the Ranch to the Camp Director ASAP.
• Assist or lead interpretive hikes or other community programs when not with Summer Camp.
• They are supervised by the Camp and Facilities Manager.
• Have fun working with young people in the natural world!

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old and able to successfully pass a background check.
• Prior experience or enthusiasm for working with children ages 5-11 years of age.
• Passion for Yampatika’s mission and desire to increase knowledge of Rocky Mountain ecology.
• Must be dependable, responsible, organized, and an adaptable team player willing to accept new tasks and feedback
• Excellent communication skills in order to coordinate logistics and program needs with both the program director and other summer staff.
• Current driver’s license and safe driving record for the past three years.
• CPR/First Aid or ability to obtain as part of employment
• Ability to lift 40 lbs. and hike up to 5 miles on varied terrain carrying a day pack.
• Be prepared to work in an outdoor setting in all weather conditions, rain or shine.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Previous experience working at a summer camp or in the daily care of children.
• Previous experience working in outdoor education, interpretation, natural history, education, or related field.
• Wilderness First Aid or higher certification

How to Apply:

• Please go to our website to fill out a complete application.
• To apply please complete our online application and email a cover letter and resume to Reece Wells, Camp and Family Programs Manager.

Yampatika is a not-for profit organization whose mission is to inspire environmental stewardship through education. Yampatika is an equal opportunity employer and a permittee of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests. Information about Yampatika is available at www.yampatika.org

Yampatika does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), pregnancy, sexual orientation, marital status, race, ethnicity, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status or current military service.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary, Internship

Pay: $19.00 - $21.00 per hour

Expected hours: 45 per week

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Overtime

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19 - $21