Part-Time Summer Camp Assistant Naturalist - Shaver's Creek Environmental Center

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• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location.For additional information on remote work at Penn State, seeNotice to Out of State Applicants.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Assistant Camp Naturalist

Assistant camp naturalists will glean techniques, skills, and hands-on experiences while serving in a supportive role for the group leader (camp naturalists) during nature-focused summer camp at the Shaver's Creek facility. This supportive role includes assisting with group management, leading games and activities, singing songs, reading stories and addressing the needs of campers. Through this experience you will learn how to work well with children outdoors, design activities and games, set goals, and grow through leadership experiences.

Gimme the details, please!

• At Shaver's Creek facility, you will work 47 - 50 hours each week.

• Most of those hours are working outdoors (regardless of weather conditions) with children and peers on and along narrow dirt trails in nature.
• Access to bathrooms in stalls depends upon the schedule for the day but is typically every 2 or 3 hours.
• Gear for yourself and activities is carried on you; with or without accommodations (in your backpack or provided pack basket) and is likely to weigh 10 - 15 lbs.
• Pay is $9.50/hour for the first 40 hours worked in a week. Hours above 40 earn time and a half. Over the course of the summer, this translates to about $4300 before taxes.
• Housing may be available for out-of-the-area applicants. (There are a few rooms available and are filled on an as-needed and on a first-hire basis.)
• Training: Monday - Friday, typically 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. for the first two full weeks in June and will include certification in First Aid, CPR, AED, and Epi-Pens (Certification in advance of training is not needed.)
• Training time includes peer bonding opportunities, techniques on working with children, examples of games and activities, lesson planning guidance, time on the trails, emergency procedures, and what a day of camp really looks and feels like.
• Camp week hours worked: Monday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Tuesday - Thursday 8:00 a.m.- 5:15 p.m.; Friday 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.; Saturday (having likely stayed overnight via camping on-site and only three times a summer) 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. These hours include a staff meeting and limited prep time in the morning, as well as meetings at the end of the day.
• There is a "mid-season" week over the week of July 7, 2025. We will have off that Monday and Friday but will be on-site 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with professional development opportunities, some social time, goal check-ins and other sessions related to grounding and centering halfway through the program season.
• It is ideal if someone can commit to the entire June 2 - August 2, 2025, time frame. While the timeframe is extensive, it is a way to get the most out of this experience. Great opportunities are missed by those who can only commit to a partial schedule as this is a time to learn, grow, try new things, and be with your new camp friends. In the words of a former employee who only committed to a limited part of summer program, during the last week of the season they commented "Now I understand why you want people to work the whole summer."

If you absolutely cannot commit to the entire time frame, you must at least be able to commit to the two full weeks of training and three weeks of program.

If there is a specific day or time that you have an important life event (like you are graduating), we will likely be able to work with you taking time off; however, you must share that information with us during your interview, so we are aware.

What are the benefits of this position?

• This position will teach you critical thinking, creativity, communication, leadership, problem solving, and adaptability which are key factors and skills that are desirable for all jobs you will ever have.
• Form connections with peers that outlast the summer.
• Professional development through sessions at the beginning and throughout the season on a variety of topics aimed at helping you to develop as a whole person.
• Possible internship credit
• Spend your summer outside in nature.
• Learn techniques for how to be present and immersed in the moment.
• Obtain 2-year certifications in First Aid, AED, CPR and Epi-Pens.
• Gain confidence through growth that you should take with you everywhere.

What would I need to do for employment before the camp season begins? (Mostly remote)

• Complete the application process, interview, and accept an offer of employment (both verbally and digitally).

• Complete all steps of the hiring process as instructed. This includes obtaining the required PA clearances (PA Criminal background, PA Child Abuse Clearance, and FBI Fingerprints).
• Complete all required and assigned online PSU training (reporting child abuse, cleary act, COINS, and others)
• Read through "pre-training" materials (links to natural history information that provide a foundation for the camp topics of this year and the staff manual).
• Create a wellness plan for yourself for the summer.
• Complete and return forms by the deadlines.

What would I be responsible for during the days/weeks of camp? (All on-site)

• Keep everyone safe.
• Communicate often and effectively.
• Always uphold all PSU and Shaver's Creek policies whether that be in the presence of minors or within ear and eye shot of another adult.
• Always be an active and participatory team member whether it be for the big things (like lesson planning for the week) or the little things (like opening food containers) on a consistent basis.
• Lead and/or co-lead games, activities, songs, riddles, and explorative exercises throughout the week with campers.
• Set goals, actively work towards them, and check-in on progress.
• Demonstrate appreciation of others (like writing the LITs in your group a thank you each week).
• Maintain energy, engagement & patience that work for your leadership style and staff/campers.
• Provide medical treatment and maintain records.
• Assemble camper's journals (based on input from camp naturalists) for printing
• Serve in the "LIT Assistant" role for, at most, 1 week of the summer program. During this week, you will not be with a group of campers but will spend time assisting with the first-year LIT program observing and leading or co-leading sessions. Other responsibilities include assisting with behind-the-scenes logistics
• If busing is available that week, you would ride the bus to/from Shaver's Creek each morning and lead programs and engage with campers during the ride.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: