Backcountry Wilderness Area

 

UPDATES: Hiring!

 

Hiring:

 
 
 

Nature Camp Counselor


 

ROP: $15-$28

At Camp Backcountry, we believe that children learn, grow, and thrive best when outdoors and immersed in nature. Our week-long, full-day outdoor camps support the needs of children by using a whole-child, experiential learning approach. Our goal is to nurture their hearts and minds while strengthening their connection to, and understanding of, the natural world. Whether campers are exploring, hiking, building forts, riding horses, creating art, playing in the woods, or cooking over the campfire, Camp Backcountry is more than just a place to spend your summer. Its an experience that becomes part of who each child is. Being a counselor at Camp Backcountry is guaranteed to be one of the most fun and memorable summers of your life, while simultaneously is a very serious job that will provide you with invaluable job and life skills.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Supervise up to 16 children each day

  • Plan, develop, and teach age appropriate lessons based upon each weekly theme including, but not limited, to forest ecology, high desert ecology, geology, entomology, and wilderness survival skills

  • Implement education, fun, and age appropriate outdoor activities and games

  • Lead exploratory hikes

  • Actively interact with and engage campers during all Camp Backcountry programs

  • Supervise and participate in programs led by outside contractors

  • Maintain high standards of health and safety and follow all associated camp policies

  • Follow all Camp Backcountry policies when checking campers in and out for the day

  • Take and submit pictures and videos each week to the Outreach Coordinator to reflect the experience campers have at Camp Backcountry

  • Set up each morning before campers arrive and clean up after campers depart each afternoon

  • Work in a team environment with all Backcountry Wilderness Area staff and other Camp Backcountry counselors to accomplish program goals

  • Maintain a positive attitude during all activities and in all weather conditions and situations

  • Attend all staff meetings as required

  • Respond to emergency situations

  • Follow all established camp policies and procedures

  • Other duties as assigned and required

Qualifications:

  • Candidates must be 18 years of age or older

  • Must have an interest in, respect for, and ability to work with children

  • Must have a passion for the natural world

  • Must have the ability to be silly and fun when working with children, while maintaining boundaries

  • Show flexibility and adaptability in a fast paced and ever-changing environment

  • Strong communication skills with the ability to effectively interact with people of all backgrounds

  • Strong work ethic and motivation to contribute positively to the Backcountry Wilderness Area at large

  • Working towards, or completion of, a bachelor's degree in a related field such as early childhood education, elementary education, science education, recreation, or a human services field is preferred

  • Previous childcare experience is preferred, but not required

  • Candidates with previous childcare experience are asked to provide proof of experience at the time of interview, in the form of a written letter from any previous employers documenting their experience.

  • Must successfully pass comprehensive background checks and a drug screen

  • Current adult and pediatric First Aid and CPR certifications required, or ability to obtain before the first day of employment

  • Must commit to working a minimum of 7 weeks of the 10 weeks of the camp season, May 30-August 4, 2023

  • Must be able to attend the mandatory staff training May 22 through May 26, 2023

 

Additional Information About Backcountry Wilderness Area

The Backcountry Wilderness Area’s mission is to improve wildlife habitat, inspire the next generation of environmental stewards, and ignite a lifelong love of the outdoors for all. Located at 5,920 feet in the heart of the Front Range, our 8,200-acre campus—featuring outdoor learning spaces, natural play spaces, a garden, chicken coop and pastures with 20 chickens, 6 goats, and 2 donkeys, a state-of-the-art archery range, and horse corrals—serves as the ultimate learning environment.

Camp Backcountry offers programs that provide a balance of hands-on science, field-based exploration, team building, camp games and songs, and adventure. All Nature Camp sessions are based on a theme including, but not limited to, forest ecology, geology, entomology, weather and climate, Leave No Trace, and wilderness survival skills. This position is responsible for coordinating and teaching age-appropriate lessons, activities, and games related to the weekly theme.