Seasonal Camp Educator Counselor

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org.

Posting Information:

Salary/Hourly Rate: $16.50/hour 

Hours per week: 35-40/week, Mondays–Fridays, 8:15AM-3:30PM 

Job Classification: Nonexempt, Seasonal 

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: June 9–August 15, 2025 

Location: Weir River Farm, Hingham, MA 

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact:

Do you love being outside in the summer?  Are you interested in getting young people excited about learning about animals, gardening, local ecology, and farming while making friends and having fun at camp?  

Surrounded by acres of woodland habitat, Weir River Farm is home to chickens, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, and more! Our forty campers ages 5-14 are outdoors all week, including daily visits to the barnyard handling and caring for our animals. Campers learn gardening skills by weeding and harvesting in the Children’s Garden. Hiking adventures lead to discoveries in forest and field habitats. Each day’s lessons, games, and crafts are designed to instill the importance of nature and agriculture in our daily lives.  

For more information about our camp, please visit Trustees Camps. 

The Role:

As a Camp Educator (CEs), you should have a passion for farms or nature, thrive outdoors, and are deeply committed to the environment. You will connect children to the farm while encouraging learning, exploring, making friends, and having fun. You are enthusiastic and fun-loving, patient, and kind, while being responsible and aware of safety concerns.  

Specifically, you’ll:

• Receive full training to lead environmental education activities at becoming familiar with the farm and local ecology, as well as and developmentally appropriate ways to interact with campers  

• Be responsible for the daily supervision and safety of a group of 10-15 campers (ages 5-11 years old). 

• Collaboratively plan daily and weekly schedules of age-appropriate farm- and nature-based activities, games, and crafts. 

• Lead nature exploration and inquiry investigations with your camper group. 

• Manage group dynamics among campers, prioritizing safety and respect for others and nature 

• Work with Counselors-in-Training/CITs (ages 15-17) to help you and them create a positive camp experience for everyone. 

• Report injuries and social-emotional issues to the Camp Director. 

• Perform daily camp staff chores to prepare for and close down camp each day. 

• Meet periodically with the Camp Director to evaluate experience and performance. 

• Other duties as assigned with or without accommodation. 

This is a seasonal, non-exempt position (Mondays-Fridays, 8:15AM-3:30PM) reporting to the South Shore School & Youth Programs Manager & Camp Director.  

Requirements

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• Working towards a bachelor's degree in education, environmental studies, science, or other relevant experience or course of study preferred. 

• Experience in outdoor education, working as a camp counselor, classroom teacher, or informal educator with children ages 5-11. 

• Knowledge of or interest in nature education and desire to share your passion for the natural world with children; local ecology or farm background preferred. 

• Positive attitude and flexibility to changing circumstances and all types of summer weather conditions. 

• Embrace inclusion of all, and an open-mindedness to learn through new experiences. 

• Must be outgoing and bring unbridled joy and enthusiasm to work. 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Minimum age is 18 years old by the beginning of camp 

• Full availability for camp staff training weeks (June 9-20) and all eight weeks of camp (June 23–August 15), Mondays-Fridays, 8:15AM-3:30PM  

• Reliable transportation to and from work   

• Adult/Child CPR and Basic First Aid certified (provided if needed)   

• The ability to lift 40 pounds. 

• Able and willing to work outdoors all summer in variable weather conditions    

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Have questions? Contact our People team at [email protected]!

Benefits

Your Benefits:

• Sick Time: Mass Sick Leave Accrual 

• Trustees Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores, cafes, and on stays at our inns.  

• Museum Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.