We are hiring 1 Summer Camp Coordinator and 1 Camp Leader for our upcoming 2024 Nature and Science Summer Day Camps! 

Our summer nature and science camps creatively engage participants from 5 to 9 years-old in fun hands-on learning, including arts, crafts, games, mud-digs, beach seines and other science-based activities related to nature, our local estuary, watersheds and ecosystems, conservation and restoration, and citizen science. Games and activities are mostly outdoors, including on the beach, along our estuary interpretive trail and up on our wildlife viewing tower. Indoors we have aquariums and an observation tank with marine and intertidal creatures, microscopes, telescopes. and interactive displays. We have camp curriculum materials and resources, and there’s also lots of room for our summer camp leader team to get creative. Respect for local Indigenous care for the land and wisdom is also foundational.

Science & Nature-Summer Camp Coordinator

Hours: 35 hours/week

Work Term: June 24^th 2024, to August 28^th 2024.

Compensation: $20/hr.

The Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre is an educational interpretive Centre in the Cowichan Estuary, a 400-hectare estuarine ecosystem. We offer hands-on nature- based programming for schools, youth and the public, plus summer science camps.

Job Description:

The role of the Summer Camp Coordinator is a hands-on, energy intensive position focused on co-leading science and nature-based camp activities and play. The Summer Camp Coordinator will be responsible for preparing camp programs, schedules, activities and learning outcomes. They will be mentored and trained by Nature Centre staff, volunteers and local naturalists in understanding the estuarine environment in which they will be working. The Summer Camp Coordinator may assist in the delivery of programs to school groups visiting the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre. The Summer Camp Coordinator and Leader will be the team delivering the summer science and nature camps for groups up to 12 children. Children attending the camps range in age from 5-9.

Duties

• Develop and plan age- appropriate science and nature-based curriculum.
• Supervise and facilitate summer science camps to groups of children and youth each week, including preparation and clean up.
• Take responsibility for the welfare and learning of students, including reviewing campers’ medical forms and releases prior to each week’s camp, setting behavior limits and ensuring safe and appropriate camper behavior as needed.
• Deliver community education and awareness programs, such as nature walks and school programs.
• Help prepare publicity and promotional materials for camps.
• Organize and maintain camp supplies.
• Train, mentor, and coordinate youth volunteers for the Nature Centre.
• Perform other general office duties including answer phone, email and in-office inquiries.
• Be available for some weekends and evenings as required.

Qualifications:

• Accountable, enthusiastic, adaptable, and self-starting.
• Passion for working with children and youth.
• A love of the outdoors, play and hands on activities.
• Experience working with children and youth, managing behaviors and creating safe spaces to foster learning.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team within a non-profit organization.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; comfortable interacting with the public.
• Willing to ask for help and accept feedback.
• Computer skills in a Microsoft Office suite, social media and website maintenance an asset.
• Preferably studying or demonstrated interest in one of the following fields: Education, Child and Youth Care or associated degrees; Biology, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Environmental sciences or associated degrees.

Science & Nature-Summer Camp Leader

Hours: 35 hours/week

Work Term: June 24^th 2024, to August 28^th 2024.

Compensation: $18.00/hr.

The Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre is an educational interpretive Centre in the Cowichan Estuary, a 400-hectare estuarine ecosystem. We offer hands-on nature- based programming for schools, youth, and the public, plus summer science camps.

Job Description:

The role of the Summer Camp Leader is a hands-on, energy intensive position focused on co-leading science and nature-based camp activities and play. The Summer Camp Leader will assist the Summer Camp Coordinator in final preparations for the summer science & nature camp programs including program activities, learning outcomes, and schedules. They will be mentored and trained by Nature Centre staff, volunteers, and local naturalists in understanding the estuarine environment in which they will be working.

Lead by the Camp Coordinator, the Camp Leader will be delivering the summer science and nature camps for groups up to 12 children. Children attending the camps range in age from 5-9.

Duties

• Assist the summer camp coordinator in developing and planning curriculum, including inquiry science-based activities, arts, games, and crafts.
• Co-lead summer science camps to groups of children and youth each week, including preparation and clean up.
• Take responsibility for the welfare and learning of students, including reviewing campers’ medical forms and releases prior to each week’s camp, setting behavior limits, and ensuring safe and appropriate camper behavior as needed.
• Organize and maintain camp supplies.

Qualifications:

• Accountable, enthusiastic, adaptable, and self-starting.
• Passion for working with children and youth.
• A love of the outdoors, play and hands on activities.
• Experience working with children and youth, managing behaviors, and creating safe spaces to foster learning.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team within a non-profit organization.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; comfortable interacting with the public.
• Willing to ask for help and accept feedback.
• Computer skills in a Microsoft Office suite, social media, and website maintenance an asset.
• Preferably studying or demonstrated interest in one of the following fields: Education, Child and Youth Care or associated degrees; Biology, Earth and Ocean Sciences, Environmental sciences, or associated degrees.

How to Apply:  Please submit a cover letter and resume by May 1st via email, mail or in person to:

Alison Adamson

Coordinator
Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre

Box 5 Cowichan Bay Rd
Cowichan Bay, BC V0R 1N0

Email: admin@cowichanestuary.ca

IMPORTANT NOTE: Positions are contingent on Canada Summer Jobs funding.  This may affect employment contracts. 

We look forward to hearing from you and the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre thanks all applicants for your interest.

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  Job interviews may be conducted online via Zoom.

Our popular five-day marine biology science summer day camps introduce your children to the birds and animals of the estuary. We’ll explore the beach, clam beds, eelgrass mudflats, and Hecate Park. Campers will use scopes on the observation tower, beach seines, plankton tows, shovels and buckets to find out who lives here. The region’s only sea creature touch tank and a salmon aquarium are accessible in our facility along with microscope stations, multimedia presentations, giant maps and an ecology library. There will also be other fun age-appropriate hands-on science activities, games, hikes, and crafts.

We are again excited to offer a  four-day Marine Biology Leadership Camp for youth aged 12-18 who are interested in leadership in the marine biology and/or child and youth care field. Participants will learn how to identify the plants and animals of the estuary and the bay and about their life histories. They will learn how to engage younger children in activities and games around the topics of eelgrass beds, intertidal mudflats, and the surrounding shore and sky of Cowichan Bay.  Once youth complete the four-day leadership training, they may apply to volunteer with one or more summer camps and earn our Estuary Leader Certificate.

Schedule for 2017 Marine Biology Summer Camps:

Fees:

Camp fees are $215 per child for a total of five days (or the four-day leadership camp, which also covers the cost of first-aid certification). Single Day Attendance: $40 per day per child, and only if the camp is not fully booked. Please register by phone or in-person for single days. Sponsorship may be available to eligible children from the Cowichan Valley Naturalists’ Society.

Details

All Camps run from 9 am to 3:30 pm.  You may drop off your child between 8:45 am and 9 am.

As our camp leaders are busy setting up for the day, we cannot offer early drop off or late pick up. Parents will be charged late fees for not adhering to drop of and pick up times.

All camp participants must to be able to eat, dress and toilet independently.  For children with special needs, contact camps@cowichanestuary.ca to discuss possible accommodations.

How to Register

Registration is a two-step process:

1.  Click here to select a camp, sign up, and make payment. Payment can be through a credit card on Eventbrite or cash/cheque dropped off at the Cowichan Land Trust office.
2. Download and complete the required registration information and return by at least 2 weeks prior to camp start:
   – email to camps@cowichanestuary.ca,
   – in person or mail to the Cowichan Land Trust at #5-55 Station Street, Duncan BC, V9L 1M2

IMPORTANT: Your registration is not considered complete until we have received the medical information and waiver forms. Payment and forms must be received at least 2 weeks prior to camp start date or your registration will be forfeited.

Questions?  Contact camps@cowichanestuary.ca. 250 746 0227,

or in July and August 250-597-2288