Seasonal Summer 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: $17/hour 

Hours per week: 35-40, Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-3:30PM 

Job Classification: Nonexempt, Seasonal 

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: June 16-August 15, 2025 

Location: Powisset Farm, Dover, MA 

What You’ll Do: 

Your Impact: 

Are you interested in providing hands-on experiences for children in Powisset Farm’s fields and forests, children’s garden, lively barnyard, and teaching kitchen? Our unique farm camp connects children to the land and the natural systems that support us all, while spending time outdoors, exploring, making friends, and having fun. 

Farmer, Forester, Chef! is a day camp located at historic Powisset Farm in Dover, MA. Powisset Farm is a 109-acre working CSA vegetable farm with a vibrant learning garden, barnyard animals, culinary program for all ages, scenic trails, engaging education programs, and deep history that make this a special place to visit and work. 

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

The Role: 

As a Camp Educator, you are energetic, fun, approachable, inclusive, smart, and have leadership qualities. You are ready to teach children how the farm, forests, and fresh food are all interconnected via hands-on activities in the barnyard, teaching kitchen, and during exploratory activities in the fields and forests of Powisset Farm.     

Each day begins at 9AM by enthusiastically greeting campers and moves quickly to learning and fun! As a Camp Educator, you are responsible for planning outdoor nature and agriculture related activities and partner with livestock and kitchen staff on regular daily activities, including barn chores and cooking classes. Pick up at 3PM is filled with stories of the day’s adventures.  

This is a full-time, seasonal role reporting to the Camp Director. The typical schedule is a 37-hour work week, Monday through Friday for the nine-week season. Camp runs for eight weeks from June 23–August 15 plus a staff training week June 16–June 20. You are primarily responsible for planning and directing camp activities and direct supervision of their camper group (ages 6-11).    

Specifically, you’ll: 

• Supervise, educate, and care for campers. 

• Design and implement camp curriculum and activities based on farming, food, sustainability, and the natural world with support from staff and farm resources. 

• Plan daily developmentally appropriate activities and farm projects with camp team. 

• Lead daily plant and animal farm chores and nature activities with designated age groups between ages 6 and 11. 

• Communicate with camper parents regarding camp questions and basic camper information. 

• Perform daily camp staff chores to organize, prepare for, and close out each day. 

• Ensure safety of campers and staff by closely following established protocols. 

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

• Other duties as assigned with or without accommodation. 

This is a seasonal position working 35-40 hours/week and reporting directly to the Powisset Camp Director.  

Requirements

What You’ll Need: 

Skills and Experience: 

• Holding or working toward a Bachelor’s degree in environmental or agricultural education, the sciences, education, or other relevant course of study is preferred, but not required.  

• Experience working as a camp counselor, classroom teacher, informal educator, and/or childcare provider with children ages 6-11.   

• A special interest in outdoor education, or working on a farm or in a kitchen 

• A willingness to learn, bringing passion and enthusiasm to working with young people each day.   

• CPR and Basic First Aid certifications required; an on-site training option will be provided. 

• A desire and ability to share your passion for the natural world with children from diverse backgrounds. 

• A great attitude about working outdoors in all weather conditions. 

• A terrific sense of humor! 

• The ability to lift 40 pounds. 

• Reliable transportation to camp. 

Please upload a resume summarizing your education and work history and a cover letter telling us about your interest in working with children in nature in this position.   

Eligibility Criteria: 

• Must be 18+ years of age by the first day of camp 

• Full availability for camp staff training week and all weeks of camp (June 16–August 15) - 9 weeks in total. 

• Current authorization to work in the United States by the 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 Time
• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admissions and memberships to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

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

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.