Summer Camp Educator

SOLAR YOUTH WESTROCK CAMP is a five-week summer program that creates a continuum of opportunity for over 60 inner-city youth to learn about their local environment and their place in its protection as well as build personal skills and competencies. SY is committed to providing opportunities for youth between ages 4 and 13 to be enrolled at no cost to families. During the program, youth will play, explore the diverse environment of New Haven, learning about its ecology and urban infrastructure.  Emphasis is placed on youth understanding the connections between themselves, the environment and well-being. The full range of activities in camp include active games, arts and crafts, team-building exercises, hands-on learning, environmental exploration, mindfulness, literacy support, community service learning, and weekly out-of-neighborhood trips. 

OVERVIEW OF POSITION

Our youth reside in New Haven’s low income communities. Faced with incredible challenges such as poverty, crime and violence in their neighborhoods, they have few positive supports and rarely encounter opportunities to succeed. Countering this, Solar Youth staff build long term relationships with youth as young as 5 years old and continuing through high school. Through our neighborhood-based programs, youth explore their environment, learn the skills and joys of being agents of positive change, and teach what they have learned to others (Kids Explore! Kids Do! Kids Teach!). To enhance youth agency, we provide participants a voice in program and organizational leadership. We emphasize supporting positive, thoughtful, informed choices, personal responsibility, and having FUN. All Solar Youth programs incorporate 5 core elements. 

THE POSITION

We are looking for someone with a passion for youth development who has the skills and personality to effectively serve young people facing major life challenges. CAMP EDUCATORS must be enthusiastic, positive, independent people who are driven to support the success of young people and create positive change. Staff must be creative problem solvers, see a setback as a challenge, and love working with youth and teenagers. 

CAMP EDUCATORS create and lead activities that are aligned with SY mission and programmatic themes, goals, and outcomes. . Ideas and resources are provided, and staff have time to develop these activities in collaboration with their staff team during staff training week. Teachers manage the big picture of scheduling and activities for their group, interact daily with camp parents, lead lessons and activities, are the point person for medical and social/emotional needs for children in their group (in collaboration with camp director and the camp nurse), and meet daily with their staff team to plan and problem solve.

CAMP EDUCATORS typically have strong experience in these areas, especially around planning and leading activities and being the lead person responsible for a group of children. Ideas and resources are provided, and staff have time to develop these activities in collaboration with their staff team during staff training week. 

• Experience with groups of 10 or more children is preferred. 
• Experience working with groups of children in formal or informal settings (school, nature center, summer camp, scouts, etc). 
• Ability and desire to work and participate in community with children and adults of all identities. 
• All staff are expected to contribute to a safe, inclusive, and welcoming camp environment.
• Enthusiasm for exploring nature with children. Basic knowledge of the natural world is preferred, but not required in all roles. 
• Experience (personal or professional) with one or more program activity areas is preferred. Seeking staff with expertise in camp songs and games, leading music with children, gardening, hiking and outdoor adventure, naturalist skills, cooperative games, nature arts, storytelling and role playing games, and outdoor adventure.
• Willingness and ability to work outdoors in all weather (including summer heat & humidity and/or rain) and to be physically active for most of an 8 hour day. This is a physically intensive job that includes significant movement throughout the day, including walking and hiking on uneven terrain, kneeling, bending, lifting, and carrying. 
• Ability to be emotionally and socially “on” for the majority of an 8 hour day. A typical day includes 6.5 hours of direct time with campers, requiring emotional presence and energy to engage with children and coworkers. 
• Demonstrated commitment, reliability, punctuality, and responsible behavior at previous jobs

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• START DATE: 6/1 (or sooner based on availability)
• LOCATION: (IN-PERSON) New Haven, CT 
• PAY: $16 -$22 per/hour
• JOB SCHEDULE: SY CAMP dates are July 3 - August 4th (except 4th of July). Camp is daily M-TH 8:30AM-3:30PM (subject to change). Fridays are training days for all staff including our Youth Educator Interns. In addition time allotted for administrative duties: such as updating data, shopping for supplies, and 1on1s. There will be 1-2 weeks training at the end of June. Most staff will work from 8AM - 4PM, however we may have roles that work from 10AM - 6PM and 2PM - 6PM based on budget and applicants availability. Please note in the Google From schedule preferences. 
• 21+ years of age preferable with a clean driving record
• Candidates can expect a phone call, zoom, and/or in-person interview.