Day Camp Wilderness Instructor (teen Assist)

Working Title:  Day Camp Wilderness Instructor

Classification:  Association Temp Program (Non-Exempt)

Start Date:  6/23/2025

End Date:  8/29/2025

Duration (months):  Less than 3

Hours per week: 40

Days per week / schedule: Monday-Friday

Work Location: 4-H Acres; Ithaca, NY

Compensation: $16-$17 per hour, depending on experience

Supervisor Name & Title: Rachel Bortin, Camp Director

Benefits Eligibility: Not Benefits Eligible                   

Employment Type: Temporary

Position Summary
The mission of Primitive Pursuits is to steward the health of our community by fostering life-long
relationships with the natural world through exceptional mentoring and nature education.
A Wilderness Instructor facilitates the core aim of Primitive Pursuits; bringing groups of youth into
natural areas, away from facilities and without modern gear, and engaging them in a fun way that
sparks a deep, meaningful connection to the natural world, themselves, and each other. The key role of
a Wilderness Instructor is to assist and instruct youth on outdoor and naturalist skills, including but not
limited to: primitive technology, fire making, shelter construction and procurement of food and water.
Wilderness instructors act as mentors who share their naturalist skills and knowledge, promote
stewardship and build healthful relationships in the outdoor environment. Wilderness Instructors may
work with Growing Wild (3-5 yr olds) or Day Camp (5-16 yr olds).

Required Qualifications
• 16 years of age or older
• Must pass all required screenings for working at a NYS Summer Camp
• Attend and assist in staff training June 23-26, 2025
• Commit to working at least 5 weeks of the camp season June 30-August 29, 2025, in addition to staff training week
• Driver’s license and/or ability to arrange transportation to various camp locations on time
• Experience working with youth ages 6-14 in an undeveloped setting OR working with youth ages 6-14 in an out-of-school or classroom setting
• Able to work in a changing outdoor environment and tackle new problems each day
• Demonstrate a high level of comfort and curiosity in the natural world
• Developing skills in specialized areas pertaining to wilderness living, primitive or naturalist skills OR seeking to learn specialized skills pertaining to wilderness living and primitive or naturalist skills
• Ability to inspire and relate positively with youth
• Previous experience with primitive technologies and wilderness survival or naturalist/outdoor skills
• Aim to uphold the 4 Values of camp: Belonging, Gratitude, Awareness, Getting Outside, in all
interactions with campers, staff, families and parents and within programs, and activities
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications
• Ability to thrive in rigorous outdoor physical education activities
• Experience in planning daily activities, projects and games for youth ages 6-14
• Experience instructing youth on primitive technologies and wilderness survival/naturalist skills
• Passionate about learning new material and practicing skills outside of work
• Past experiences working with people of diverse educational and cultural backgrounds
• Experience with Coyote mentoring
• Ability to learn and convey skill sets efficiently

Responsibilities
• Arrive to work on time and ready for the day ahead
• Create and model an emotional, social, and physically safe environment in which campers and staff can thrive
• Help develop and implement experiential environmental immersion experiences for diverse groups of youth in the context of wilderness survival, living skills, outdoor/naturalist skills and knowledge
• Contribute to brainstorming, planning and leading the daily and weekly activities and skills
• Role-model passion, enthusiasm and comfort around engaging with the elements of nature
• Role-model appropriate footwear, clothing, and outdoor gear for the summer camp experience
• Facilitate group energy and responding swiftly to group needs in order to effectively manage and engage each participant in a positive experience
• Actively contribute to efforts of evaluating each week and each day of programming
• Represent the high caliber of the organization when speaking to parents, staff and participants
• Deliver high-adventure experiences while keeping an unfailing eye on the safety of each activity and each participant and co-worker in accordance with risk management protocols
• Work with ages between 3-14, day camp and potentially overnights too (one night)
• Other duties as assigned

How to Apply
Please complete our online employment application including cover letter and resume.
Applications will be accepted until May 1, 2025 or until a suitable candidate is found.

How to Apply

Please complete our online employment application including cover letter and resume.

Applications will be accepted until May 1, 2025 or until a suitable candidate is found.

Contact

Rachel Bortin, Camp Director, primitivepursuits-opportunities@cornell.edu 

Additional Info

Please be sure to read the Notice to Applicants found on the Jobs with CCE page: https://cals.cornell.edu/cornell-cooperative-extension/join-us/jobs

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County provides equal program and job opportunities. No person shall be denied employment on the basis of any legally prohibited discrimination involving, but not limited to, such factors as race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or qualified disability. Individuals who bring a diverse perspective and are supportive of diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.

No relocation or VISA Sponsorship available.

The Association may make reasonable accommodations to enable applicants to participate in the hiring process and employees to perform the essential functions of their job. If you require an accommodation so you may participate in the selection process you are encouraged to contact CCE Tompkins HR at tompkins-hr@cornell.edu