CWES - Summer Camp Counselor/Naturalist
About The Position
The Central Wisconsin Environmental Station is a field station supported by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources and the UWSP Foundation, Inc. The Station is operated year-round by permanent staff and university students as an environmental education center for people of all ages. Counselor/Naturalists will be responsible for supporting summer camps at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES). Naturalists will serve as educators, caretakers, and mentors for all camp participants. Most weeks, counselors live in lodges with campers or in a separate cabin in our cabin loop from Sunday afternoon until mid-afternoon on Friday. Counselors will be required to stay on-site from Sunday at 1:00 pm to Friday at 5:00 pm each week. Counselors will be given an average of 3 hours off daily Monday – Thursday during residential weeks, except in the event of an offsite trip or during an overnight campout. During this off-time counselors will be able to leave the site. If a contract or specialty camp is on site with their own counselors, CWES counselors will not be required to stay onsite overnight. During the summer, CWES offers: 1. Residential Summer Camps: Campers stay overnight anywhere from a few nights to a full week depending on the session. Some overnight sessions include off-site camping. 2. Day Camp: Campers join CWES staff for the day for nature-based activities and camp programming and return home each night. 3. Contract and Specialty Camps: CWES staff facilitate outside groups that come to use the property and our equipment. These groups come with their own leadership, but CWES staff still have the opportunity to lead various programming.
Requirements
- 18 years of age or older
- Must successfully pass a background and reference check, conducted by UW-Stevens Point
- CPR, AED, and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain certification prior to employment
- Must maintain effective, appropriate, and sustained mental, emotional, and social interaction while working in the camp's youth-centered and dynamic environment
- Must adapt to changing needs/environment, independent problem solving, and clear communication with campers/staff/community members
- Must live on-site at CWES and work a flexible schedule with long hours
- Training, experience or significant interest in… Natural resources/outdoor skills
- Delivering educational programs
- Working with youth and people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities
Nice To Haves
- Prior experience with summer camp programming
- Familiarity with Wisconsin natural resources
- Wisconsin Boater Safety certification
- Lifeguard certification (strongly preferred but not required, higher pay for lifeguard-certified)
Responsibilities
- Attend and participate in semiweekly staff meetings.
- Assist with camper check-in/check-out, mealtimes, and other camp happenings.
- Under the direct supervision of the Camp Director, present environmental educational programs and lead games and activities (archery, canoeing, arts, tree climbing, etc.)
- Assist lifeguards in waterfront supervision.
- Assist with setting up and maintaining equipment and locations on site
- Ensure the safety and well-being of campers
- Utilize appropriate behavior management techniques as trained, or seek guidance when unsure how to proceed.
- Maintain professional communication with all other staff members, including radio use.
- Reside in a lodge or in the cabin loop with campers when assigned to do so. This involves ensuring the campers are prepared in the morning, that lights-out is enforced, that they are cared for overnight, and includes fostering a positive group dynamic as well as addressing the needs of the individual.
- Assist in camp projects as needed, including the final camp cleanup week.
- Facilitate group competitions and relays with campers.
- Other duties as assigned
- Work cooperatively with CWES staff to build and maintain a positive, cohesive work atmosphere for all
- Work through conflicts with staff and campers in a compassionate and professional manner
- Live in a shared staff housing during non-residential camp weeks, and live in lodges with campers or cabin loop with other staff during residential camp weeks
- Serve as a positive role model to campers by following and implementing camp objectives and UWSP policies
- Work in variable weather conditions, often hot temperatures, for several hours at a time
- Assist maintenance and food service staff as needed
- Maintain an inclusive, positive and respectful attitude towards all staff and campers
- Lift 30 lbs
Benefits
- Lodging, meals, and laundry are offered through contracted dates as outlined above
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
5,001-10,000 employees
