Jobs

Conservation Education Camp Counselor

Posted on: October 25, 2019 Apply Now
Full-Time Expires January 31, 2021

Visit our website for more information: https://www.dec.ny.gov/education/1869.html

Conservation Education Camp Counselors are the heart of our residential summer camp program, which has been running since 1947. We operate four overnight camps in different parts of NYS for youth ages 11-17. Counselors bring a passion for sharing ‘camp magic’ and their love of nature with the next generation. The counselor’s primary role is to teach and supervise campers. They live in an assigned cabin that may include another counselor and a small group of campers for whom they are responsible. Counselors teach lessons on field, forest, aquatic habitats, and human impacts, often working with a second counselor as co-instructor. Counselors do crafts, perform skits, sing songs, and entertain campers throughout the week while ensuring their safety. Counselors are on call 24 hours/day during the camp week, but they get one 4-hour block of time off sometime between Monday-Thursday during camp, and then have Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday morning off.

Specific duties include, but not limited to:

  • Supervises the campers on a 24-hour basis; are responsible for the well being and health of the campers;
  • Instructs the campers in the core environmental science curricula; and
  • Responsible for the planning and conducting of recreational activities, including maintaining camp inventories.
  • Counsel campers who become homesick or disruptive.
  • Assist in the purchasing, inventory and delivery of supplies, materials and equipment.
  • Supervise waterfront activities.
  • Support and assist other counselors in the development and completion of camp activities.
  • Administer first aid to campers if necessary.
  • Supervise and implement overnight camp-outs.
  • Develop and implement education recreation and work projects.

Minimum Qualifications

Conservation Education Camp Counselors must have 60 semester college credit hours, including at least 12 semester credit hours in natural resources, environmental studies,environmental education, outdoor recreation, STEM: Science (biology, chemistry,computer, earth, environmental, and physics) Technology Engineering Mathematics,elementary-middle-secondary-special education, or camp management or two years of work experience in natural resources, biological sciences, geology, environmental studies, environmental sciences, environmental education, outdoor recreation, elementary-middle-secondary-special education, or camp management. Conservation Education Camp Counselors must be certified in approved First aid and CPR/AED courses as required by the NYS Department of Health by their first day of employment.

Must have and maintain a current Driver’s License.

Desired, but not required: Certification in areas such as American Red Cross Water Safety Instruction or Life Guard with Waterfront Module

NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Environmental Education Summer Camps Program Description

NYSDEC Environmental Education Summer Camps combine environmental education, hunter education and outdoor recreation to create an adventurous experience for 11-17 year old campers. We use a fun, hands-on approach to teach about the environment.

Our week-long, overnight programs serve campers in two age groups: 11-13 years old or 14-17 years old. There are four camps around the state: Camp Colby near Saranac Lake and Pack Forest near Warrensburg both located in the Adirondacks, Camp DeBruce in the Catskill Mountains and Camp Rushford in Allegany County in western New York. Campers arrive on Sunday afternoon and leave on Friday at 4:30 PM.

Campers learn outdoor skills including backpacking, camping and canoeing. First hand experiences in the outdoors have inspired many campers with a life-long passion for nature and a dedication to stewardship of our natural resources.

Campers also explore New York’s diverse habitats, have the chance to learn basic ecological concepts and how human activities affect the environment. Campers solve challenges, explore environmental concepts, practice outdoor skills and spend the week immersed in nature.

NYSDEC Mission: “To conserve, improve and protect New York’s natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-being.”

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