SUMMARY
The primary responsibility will be to support summer camps at Camp Tapawingo. Naturalists will serve as the camp participants' educator, caretaker, and mentor. The Naturalist will represent Camp Tapawingo in a positive and professional manner. The Naturalist will work with the Camp Director and the Friends of Wisconsin Camp Tapawingo Corporation Board of Directors to ensure that summer programs are positive, fun, and educational for all campers, youth, and external organizations.

Naturalists will gain:

• Professional experience in an outdoor environment to enhance their resumes
• Experience working with diverse audiences in various settings
• Development of leadership and management skills in engaging with youth successfully

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum age of 18
• Interest and experience in environmental education
• Demonstrate leadership skills
• Good organizational skills, attention to detail, and reliability
• Excellent group motivation and communication skills
• Knowledge of camping philosophy and previous camp experience
• Proven ability in leading nature/environmental education activities
• Ability to set up demonstration area and program and to teach skills to staff and campers of al ages
• Desire and ability to work with all age categories outdoors
• Enthusiasm, patience, and self-control
• Maintain First Aid and CPR certification
• Complete required training for working with youth, following both State regulations and Camp Tapawingo Policies
• Pass a Background Check for working with youth

REPORTS TO
Camp Director

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist in the planning and instruction of camping sessions.
• Plan and instruct nature/environmental education programs.
• Help prepare rainy-day nature/environmental education programs for each camp session to use when necessary.
• Be on camp property and available as scheduled. While camp is in session, you are expected to remain on the property and engaged in assigned responsibilities.
• Ensure all nature/environmental education activities are safe, age-appropriate, and fun.
• Maintain an organized and clean nature center.
• Assist in developing and maintaining interpretive displays in the nature center, and provide care and maintenance for nature equipment.
• Care for and maintain educational nature trails, prairie garden, and riverwalk areas of the property.
• Inventory all environmental education equipment and supplies at the beginning and end of each camp session. With the camp director's approval, order environmental education equipment and supplies as needed.
• Utilize camp counselors and approved volunteers as assistants.
• Assist with the evening camp programs, such as dances, skits, campfires, night hikes, and evening snacks.
• Enforce risk management policies and procedures.
• Attend all staff meetings.
• Assist in packing all materials and supplies at the end of the summer season.
• Evaluate the current camp season and make recommendations for equipment, supplies and programs for the following season.
• Other duties may be assigned as needed.

Work Schedule

• Allocated 500 hours per year
• Average work May through August with occasional programming the remainder of the year
• Average 30-40 hours per week during May through August
• Staff will participate in the preset camp schedule for 2025 and develop additional programming for Field Trips and open-house activities.
• Hourly Wage of $14.00 per hour