Job Title: Summer Camp Assistant

Job Summary:  Seasonal, Full time (32 hours/week), non-exempt hourly 

Reports to: Youth Education Coordinator

Location of Work: Anacortes Community Forest Lands, various trailheads

Who We Are

Friends of the Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL) is a non-profit, community organization dedicated to the stewardship of the ACFL through education that builds forest resilience, sustainable recreation, and community. Our flagship Forest Discovery Summer Camp provides small group environmental education through games, activities, arts and sciences at no cost to families. Learn more about Friends of the ACFL at www.friendsoftheacfl.org.

Position Summary

The Summer Camp Assistant will be responsible for assisting our Youth Education Coordinator in running 5 weeks of summer camp for campers ages 6-14. Primary responsibilities will include supporting and facilitating activities, managing small group dynamics, maintaining a safe environment and bringing energy to our group. Work takes place entirely outdoors in the Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL). Our camp program is free to participants and grounded in our belief that connecting to nature, practicing stewardship and having fun in the forest should be accessible to all. Successful applicants will have a passion for these values and bring excitement and enthusiasm to this role.

Camp Schedule

Forest Discovery summer camp will run 5 weeks (see schedule below.) Camp will run 4 days each week from 9am-4pm. The first week of camp runs Monday-Thursday, with all other sessions running Tuesday-Friday. Working hours start at 8:30am and end at 4:30pm. 

Applicants should be available for all sessions of camp.

Session 1A & 1B: June 30-July 3 (Monday-Thursday) 

Session 2: July 8-11 

Session 3: July 15-18 

Session 4: July 22-25

Session 5: July 29-Aug. 1 

*Sessions 1A & 1B are half day camps with a morning session (9am-12pm) and afternoon session (1pm-4pm). 

Essential Functions/Roles and Responsibilities

• Lead and support fun and engaging educational activities on a range of natural history, ecology and science topics for campers ages 6-14
• Supervise campers at all times, conduct regular safety assessments, and uphold safety policies while on public trails and during drop off and pick up
• Support camper behavior to ensure a positive, accessible, and safe learning environment for all (including building supportive relationships with campers, resolving camper conflicts, and managing small group dynamics)
• Facilitate camper trail etiquette as needed, in accordance with Leave No Trace guidelines (especially outdoor bathroom protocols)
• Assist with camp set up, break downs, debriefs, and other program logistics as assigned
• Meet with Youth Education Coordinator to complete 10-15 hours of training prior to the start of camp (on a mutually agreed upon time, likely the week of June 23rd)

Desired Skills/Qualifications

• Experience working with children, especially in an outdoor setting including camps or other informal educational settings
• Experience providing individual, or small group support to children
• High level of adaptability and comfort in the outdoors for long periods of time in all weather conditions
• Experience with or interesting in teaching about environmental topics through arts, sciences or team building activities
• Great communication skills including with youth, parents and other staff members
• Familiarity with ACFL trail system a plus

Working Conditions & Requirements

• Limited or no access to shelter, running water or toilet facilities during contract hours
• Comfortable walking 3-4 miles per day over varied terrain (including substantial elevation gain), and sitting on the ground for extended periods of time
• Comfortable carrying a pack (up to 25 lbs.) throughout the day
• Must pass background check
• Must be over the age of 18 by June 30, 2025.
• Must have or obtain First Aid and CPR certification prior to position start
• Must arrive at various trailheads on time and reliably

Code of Conduct: 

• To ensure the safety of our staff and program participants, our programming is conducted in a smoke, tobacco and alcohol free workplace. Employees are expected to follow this protocol during working hours. 
• The Summer Camp Assistant will maintain professional interactions with youth including, physical, behavioral and verbal communication. 
• Friends of the ACFL handles sensitive personal and medical information about youth participants. Sharing or use of this information outside of programming is not allowed.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Friends of the ACFL is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions onthe basis of merit. Organization policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.