Job Description: AEGIS Water & Wilderness Summer Camp Intern

Reports to: School Program and Camp Manager

Position Type: Short-term Seasonal, Independent Contractor

Start/End Dates: 

• 5/27/25 - 5/30/25 (optional training dates)
• 7/15/25 - 7/18/25 (required AEGIS training dates) 
• 7/20/25 - 8/3/25 (AEGIS Water & Wilderness camp plus campus cleanup on 8/3/25)

About ONSC: 

Ozark Natural Science Center (ONSC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit. We are Arkansas’ only residential science center and we provide hands-on, science-based learning experiences to students in Northwest Arkansas and beyond. We host school field trips, camps, weekend workshops, events, facility rentals, and more.

ONSC's mission is to enhance the understanding, appreciation and stewardship of the Ozark natural environment. At ONSC, we envision a future where everyone has the opportunity to engage deeply with nature. Through our dedication to education, environmental stewardship, and community collaboration, we aim to empower others to preserve the diverse ecosystems and natural heritage of the Ozarks. Our Core Values are high-quality education, meaningful and immersive experiences in nature, and environmental stewardship.

Our 89-acre main campus includes an event center, education building, outdoor classroom, pavilion, observation deck, 3 lodges, and staff and guest housing. Our 8 miles of hiking trails are situated within AR Natural Heritage Commission’s 400-acre Bear Hollow Natural Area, which is nestled within the 14,500-acre McIlroy Madison County Wildlife Management Area.

ONSC also has two satellite locations. Our Lake Fayetteville education center is located at the border between Springdale and Fayetteville, and includes an education building with 2 classrooms, deck, dock, and paved and unpaved hiking trails. Our Kessler Mountain education center is located in Fayetteville, and facilities include a ½-mile interpretive loop trail, native plant and rain garden, and an indoor nature center.

Summary:  

Are you an environmentalist or outdoor enthusiast who wants to help shape the future and change the world one student at a time? Join the ONSC team as an Intern for 2 weeks of AEGIS Water & Wilderness Camp. Interns assist our teacher naturalists (TNs) and AEGIS teachers with our overnight wilderness immersion programs. TNs, teachers, and interns help students understand nature through hands-on science and teach stewardship through a love of the natural world. 

Our team will be teaching twenty-four 10th-12th grade students for 14 days and 13 nights of a science wilderness immersion program based at the Ozark Natural Science Center campus and Madison County Wildlife Management Area, including float trips and an overnight camping experience. Students will be able to unplug from electronic distractions and plug into the ever-changing and exciting world of field biology where evolving technology and field science merge. 

The AEGIS campers are selected from all over Arkansas for these highly competitive scholarships. The students are eager to learn and absorb knowledge from our educators and field scientists. Interns will assist the TNs as they facilitate students' deeper understanding of nature through hands-on science. Interns will inspire appreciation of nature through sharing their love of science and the natural world. 

Qualifications: 

4 Interns will be hired. Selection criteria for these positions will include: 

• An interest and general knowledge in environmental or natural science (i.e. biology, geology, environmental science, ecology) preferred
• Outdoor education experience
• Passion for the ONSC mission and genuine appreciation for the natural world and conservation
• Experience and sufficient comfort levels with outdoor activities (including hiking for hours at a time, in July in the Ozarks with potentially very high heat and varying weather conditions, river canoeing or kayaking, and tent camping)
• Demonstrated time management skills
• Speaking and oral presentation skills
• Experience communicating effectively with 9th through 12th grade students preferred
• General knowledge of the Ozarks ecoregion preferred
• CPR & basic First Aid 
• Ability to work as a team
• Background check required

General Description:

The ONSC Interns will collaborate with 2 science teachers and 3 Teacher Naturalists to form the teaching staff for this camp, which is supervised by ONSC’s School Program and Camp Manager and Education and Community Program Manager. The summer education team will handle program-related operations including educational activities, interpretive hikes/field investigations on the trail and interactive classes in field and classroom, recreation and team-building activities, Socratic discussions on natural science and conservation-themed readings, and dorm-duties. Interns will support the TNs and teachers as they support the daily science specialists who will be instructing the special topic of the day. Interns are required to stay onsite overnight during all work hours throughout the 14 days of the camp (some breaks will be built into your schedule), and Interns are required to attend 4 days of training the week before camp. They will be housed in the onsite lodges with campers and will serve as overnight chaperones  as needed on an alternate rotating schedule with the science teacher chaperones (schedule to be determined). 

Main Duties: 

• Assist in motivating students, nurturing new learning, addressing social-emotional needs, and connecting with these gifted students. 
• Participate in the instruction of the Water & Wilderness program through support of students during the specialist programs. Interns will support TNs as they offer assistance and support to students as they conduct field research, gather data and explore a variety of habitats in the Ozark Natural Division, including oak-hickory forests, glades and the Kings River. 
• Participate in the presentation of conservation literature and support the instruction of Socratic Circle discussions of the writings of naturalists. 
• Participate in AEGIS staff training and general ONSC staff information training
• Provide support for ONSC programs and participants, including during ONSC meals, student/guest orientation, and the maintenance of facilities and equipment 
• Reside on-site during the weeks of the program. 
• Act as lodge chaperone, staying in a camper lodge to supervise and assist campers in the mornings and evenings before and after camp activities, and overnight. This is a rotating duty shared among AEGIS teachers and interns.  
• Ensure, at all times, the safety of students and peers and other ONSC guests to the best of your ability. 
• Knowledgeably use, maintain, and return all teaching and safety equipment assigned to you. 
• Provide on-call availability for emergencies during the entirety of the program. 

Additional Duties: 

• Assist with organization of equipment and supplies in preparation for field science instruction duties, including, but not limited to: backpack supplies, hand-held radios, water bottles, educational and recreational equipment for off-site trips, etc. 
• Be a professional representative of ONSC at all times 
• Maintain active communication with the Program Managers on issues of importance relating to programming and operations. 

Through this one-of-a-kind opportunity, Interns are not only paid and housed, but also given a professional development experience that exceeds a simple workshop or class. Interns will receive training, support, coaching, and evaluations. Each TN, teacher and intern is a wealth of knowledge, just like you, so the learning amongst the team members is ongoing and encouraged. Don’t pass up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Apply today and help us enhance the understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the Ozark Natural Environment!  

 Compensation: 

• $1250.00 for the entirety of the camp
• Staff housing provided with all utilities
• Meals provided when programming is in session
• Training and Educational opportunities
• An opportunity to share your love of the natural world with an amazing and supportive team of naturalists while sparking and feeding the love of nature in the next generation - priceless!!!  

ONSC celebrates diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We seek employees, volunteers, and interns from a wide variety of backgrounds. All applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, education, culture, or any other federal, state or local protected class.

How to Apply: 

Please apply by completing the ONSC Employment Application, where you will be asked to upload your resume, cover letter, and 3 references: https://tinyurl.com/ApplyONSC