Summer Camp Assistant Educator Description

Summer Camp Assistant Educators will work with The Nature Museum staff to facilitate and provide safe, fun, and engaging experiences for campers. This will include preparing materials for camp activities, looking after camp participants, co-leading and leading lessons and activities, and helping with break down and clean up after each camp day and camp week. Summer Camp Assistant Educators will also assist The Nature Museum staff with general operations and maintenance duties of The Nature Museum facilities and grounds. These duties may include cleaning, assisting with necessary grounds and museum maintenance tasks, and helping the museum staff prepare and facilitate non-camp related educational programming and events.

This can serve as a fantastic internship experience for undergraduate and graduate students in related studies! We’re happy to work with you to discuss internship requirements and do our best to meet requirements within our capacity.

Dates and Hours  

Up to 40 hrs/week during camp season for a total of 250 hours over the course of the summer. Occasional overtime work opportunities may be available during busy weeks. Start date of Monday, June 22, 2026. End date of Friday, August 14, 2026. See below for the full Camp Season Calendar. Working days will be primarily Monday - Friday, with some variability throughout the summer. 

• Working hours for MOST camp days will typically be 8:30AM - 4:30PM. Some days may require a start time as early as 8:00AM and an end time as late as 6:00PM.
• Work hours may vary for non-camp work days.

Summer Camp Season Calendar

Staff Training & Prep Week: Mon. 6/22/26 - Fri. 6/26/26

• Exact times TBD.

Week 1: Mon. 6/29/26 -  Wed. 7/1/26

Wee Explorers (Ages 4-5)

Animal Adventures

Camp day: 9:30AM - 2:00PM; Drop off 9:00AM - 9:30AM; Pick up 2:00PM - 2:30PM;

After-care: 2:30PM - 4:00PM

Week 2: Mon. 7/6/26 - Fri. 7/10/26

Brave Bears (Ages 6-8) & Wild Walkers (Ages 9-11)

Networks In Nature

Camp day: 9:30AM - 3:30PM; Drop off 9:00AM - 9:30AM; Pick up 3:30PM - 4:00PM

Week 3: Mon. 7/13/26 - Fri. 7/17/26

Brave Bears (Ages 6-8) & Wild Walkers (Ages 9-11)

Creative Critters

Camp day: 9:30AM - 3:30PM; Drop off 9:00AM - 9:30AM; Pick up 3:30PM - 4:00PM

Non-Camp Week: Mon. 7/20/26 - Fri. 7/24/26

• Work days TBD.

Week 4: Brave Bears Mon. 7/27/26 - Fri. 7/31/26; Wee Explorers Tue. 7/28/36 - Thu. 7/30/26

Wee Explorers (Ages 4-5)

Budding Naturalists

Camp day: 9:30AM - 2:00PM; Drop off 9:00AM - 9:30AM; Pick up 2:00PM - 2:30PM;

After-care: 2:30PM - 4:00PM

Brave Bears (Ages 6-8) & Wild Walkers (Ages 9-11)

Budding Naturalists

Camp day: 9:30AM - 3:30PM; Drop off 9:00AM - 9:30AM; Pick up 3:30PM - 4:00PM

Week 5: Mon. 8/3/26 - Fri. 8/7/26

Brave Bears (Ages 6-8) & Wild Walkers (Ages 9-11)

Watersheds, Wetlands & Wildlife

Camp day: 9:30AM - 3:30PM; Drop off 9:00AM - 9:30AM; Pick up 3:30PM - 4:00PM

Camp Debrief & Wrap Up: Mon. 8/10/26 - Fri. 8/14/ 26

• Work days TBD

Hourly Rate: 

Regular pay rate is $17.00 per hour. Overtime pay rate is $25.50 per hour. This is a seasonal position that is not eligible for benefits.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience working with kids ages 4 -11 years old, especially in a camp, school, or caretaking setting.
• Kind, dedicated individuals with a positive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Physical requirements: Ability to be on feet for extended periods of time outdoors including on uneven terrain, engage in moderate hiking, able to lift a modest amount of weight (20lbs.), and participate safely outdoors in a variety of summer conditions (Heat humidity, rain, full-sun, etc). Specific abilities and experience is less important to us than your ability & willingness to participate in the camp day and support staff with logistics.
• Must be able to work Monday - Friday, and must be available for the entire camp season (June 22 - August 14). Flexibility MAY be possible with a start date, end date, and other important non-camp date commitments during the summer camp season.
• Must have reliable transportation to and from The Nature Museum.We are located at 186 Townshend Rd, Grafton VT 05146.
• Must be able to pass a fingerprinting criminal background check.

Preferred Qualifications:

These are attributes or skills we would love to see in our Summer Camp Assistant Educators, but they are not required.

• Interest in the natural world and natural sciences.
• CPR, First-aid, and AED certification.
• We strongly recommend all Nature Museum staff to have up-to-date vaccinations, including the latest Covid-19 vaccine, for the health of our community.
• Expertise or knowledge of particular natural science topics, craft-making, youth leadership, relevant outdoor recreation, or other related skills that could be integrated into the summer camp experience (e.g. bushcraft, yoga, singing, instrument playing, theatrical experience, storytelling, poetry, etc).