Day Camp Wilderness Instructor

Working Title: Day Camp Wilderness Instructor

Classification: Association Temp Program (NonExempt)

Start Date: 6/23/2025

End Date: 8/29/2025

Duration (months): Less than 3

Hours per week: 40

Days per week / schedule: MondayFriday

Work Location: 4H Acres; Ithaca NY

Compensation: $17$18 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 lifelong
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 35 yr olds) or Day Camp 516 yr olds).

Required Qualifications
18 years of age or older
Must pass all required screenings for working at a NYS Summer Camp
Attend and assist in staff training June
Commit to working at least 5 weeks of the camp season June 30August 29 2025 in addition to staff training week
Drivers license and/or ability to arrange transportation to various camp locations on time
Experience as a wilderness instructor/camp counselor working with youth ages 616 in an undeveloped setting OR working with youth ages 616 in an outofschool or classroom setting
Able to work in a changing outdoor environment and tackle new problems each day
Ability to learn and convey skill sets efficiently
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 and teens
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 616
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

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
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
Rolemodel passion enthusiasm and comfort around engaging with the elements of nature
Rolemodel 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 summer leadership team in planning preparing delivering and evaluating each week and each day of programming
Represent the high caliber of the organization when speaking to parents staff and participants
Deliver highadventure experiences while keeping an unfailing eye on the safety of each activity and each participant and coworker in accordance with risk management protocols
Work with ages between 316 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.

Contact

Rachel Bortin Camp Director

Additional Info

Please be sure to read the Notice to Applicants found on the Jobs with CCE page: 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