Position: EcoCamp Counselor

Pickering Creek Audubon Center conserves natural habitats on Maryland’s Eastern Shore by engaging and empowering our community through exploration, education and stewardship. The Center includes over 450 acres of mature hardwood forests, fresh and brackish wetlands, meadow, agriculture and over a mile of shoreline.

Each summer, for over 20 years, Pickering Creek’s tremendously popular EcoCamp provides engaging outdoor experiences with nature that inspire kids to want to be outside. EcoCamp Counselors serve as mentors in encouraging exploration, and guide campers to new experiences and finding what interests them in nature through games and fun outdoor activities.

POSITION SUMMARY:
EcoCamp Counselors will lead camper groups and empower teen volunteers to assist in running our successful weekly nature-themed day camp for K-7th graders, working closely with EcoCamp Leadership. The successful candidate will be passionate about leading and organizing outdoor nature-based experiences for youth ages 5-15 and demonstrate a commitment to learners of all backgrounds. The EcoCamp Counselor position is a 11-week, 35-40 hour per week position from June 2 to August 14, 2026, with two unpaid holidays on June 19 and July 4. Counselors must be available to work on two weekend dates, June 6th and June 14th. During camp weeks, scheduled hours are typically 8am-5pm. Camp runs Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm. Though there are no campers during the week of July 4th, counselors will use workdays to evaluate, plan and prepare for upcoming weeks of camp. Applicants must be available to work for the entire term.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Create a safe and fun environment to guide campers to explore, discover, and play at their own pace throughout our forest, creek, and wetlands.
  • Manage a group of approximately 12 campers each week. Campers entering Kindergarten though 7th grades are arranged into age groups, and each counselor will work with all age groups throughout the summer.
  • Assist in training and supervising our teen Junior Naturalists who will assist you in jumpstarting child-led exploration and leading activities appropriate for each age group, theme and habitat.
  • Work with camp staff to make adjustments to activities and tools provided to campers based on interest, group dynamic and weather.
  • Serve as a role model naturalist to our campers and Junior Naturalists. Lead by example in respectfully interacting with nature and each other.
  • Participate in animal care and tank maintenance.
  • Work with staff to clean and maintain trails, buildings, and equipment.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • At least one year of experience working with children in an educational setting. One year experience may be achieved by combining time from multiple positions or roles.
  • Canoe/kayak experience or ability to learn. Must be comfortable canoeing with children.
  • You must be prepared to get dirty and investigate the natural world alongside the campers as they self-direct their exploration.
  • Enjoy working with children of all ages in an outdoor setting.
  • Dependable, energetic, flexible, patient, and self-motivated.
  • Ability to work with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to supervise teen volunteers.
  • Professional and friendly manner.
  • Preference will be given to applicants with an active Lifeguard Certification, or those able to obtain one with the support of Pickering Creek, by the start of EcoCamp (June 15, 2026)

COMPENSATION

$17/hour

Shared onsite waterfront housing available at no cost

Unpaid holidays- June 19 and July 3