Work at the Humber Arboretum Nature Camps
Do you enjoy working with kids? Do you love being outdoors and appreciate nature? Apply to be a summer Nature Camp Counsellor at the Humber Arboretum!
About Nature Camp at the Humber Arboretum
The Humber Arboretum is a roughly 250 acre public garden and conservation area connected to the Humber College North Campus in Toronto. Throughout July and August, the Arboretum runs Nature Camps that offer a fun, hands-on, nature-connection experience for ages 4-13. The camps are accredited by the Ontario Camps Association. Camp activities are based around weekly themes and supported by the year-round nature education staff from the Humber Arboretum.
Three camps run simultaneously out of the Centre for Urban Ecology:
- Beaver Camp (ages 4-5)
- Nature Camp (ages 6-12)
- Jr. Naturalist Camp (ages 12-13)
There are a variety of summer employment opportunities available every year for enthusiastic individuals who are excited about nature and working with young people.
Status: Applications are now being accepted for Summer Camp 2020.
To apply, email your resume and cover letter to Jimmy Vincent, the Humber Arboretum's Coordinator of Education, Camps, and Community Outreach, at jimmy.vincent@humber.ca. The deadline to apply is Friday January 31, 2020.
Please note, a police check will be required for successful candidates.
General Duties: Successful candidates will be responsible for the health and well-being of nature campers aged 4-13. This includes appropriate discipline, communication with parents, daily health checks, and supervising/running various camp games, activities, and programs, along with the duties specific to their position (see details below).
Job Location: Humber Arboretum, Humber College North Campus (205 Humber College Blvd)
Starting Wage: $14.00 / per hour
All Positions Require:
- A fun attitude
- Willingness to work outside
- Prior camp experience helpful but not necessary
- Ability and interest in working with kids
- Fun loving personality with a strong commitment to professionalism and providing excellent customer service
- Ability to work as a member of a team and the ability to accomplish tasks with little or no direct supervision
- Hold a current certificate in First Aid, and CPR Level C
Positions Available for 2020:
Beaver Camp Counsellor (Four positions)
UP to 40 hrs/week July-August, paid training starts mid-June
*Must be enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program at Humber College or U of GH to apply*
Along with day camps, the Humber Arboretum also offers educational field trips for school groups. In this position you will work part-time during May and June to run programs for Kindergarten groups who are visiting the Arboretum or Lakeshore Campus. Then when camp starts, you will switch to a full-time role at Beaver Camp, which is exclusive to 4- and 5-year-olds.
Successful applicants for this position will have experience working with younger children and a strong interest in incorporating nature into learning.
Summer Camp Counsellor (multiple positions)
Up to 40 hrs/week July-August, paid training starts mid-June
Work with 6 to 12 year-olds at the Humber Arboretum's general Nature Camp. Some weeks you will be assigned with a partner to lead a small group of campers; other weeks you may act as a floater and support different groups and activities. The Counsellor team is at the heart of the camp experience and requires people who are enthusiastic and committed - the kids are counting on you!
Nature knowledge is not required, but successful applicants will be eager to learn, excited to spend time outdoors, and willing to get a little dirty (okay, sometimes a lot dirty!)
1:1 Special Needs Camp Counsellor (Two positions)
Up to 40 hrs/wk July and August, paid training starts mid-June
*Must have previous experience working with special needs in order to be considered*
Some weeks, the 1:1 Counsellor will act as a regular counsellor with Nature Camp (ages 6-12). Other weeks, the 1:1 Counsellor will be assigned to provide additional support to a camper or campers from any of the three camps who can benefit from extra support.
Outdoor Education Assistant / Camp Programming Assistant (Jr. Naturalists) (one position)
Up to 30 hrs/wk May - June; up to 40 hrs/wk July-August
Jr. Naturalist Camp is our camp exclusively for 12- and 13-year-olds who are deeply interested in learning about the natural world. This camp is facilitated by one of our Sr. Nature Interpreters who work at the Humber Arboretum year-round providing educational programming for school groups and the public.
This position is ideal for an individual who already has strong knowledge of local ecology and a desire to work in environmental education. During May and June, you will assist with the facilitation of educational programs for groups visiting the Humber Arboretum. In the summer, you will support the Jr. Naturalist Camp leader for six of the eight weeks, and spend the other two weeks working with Nature Camp.
Please note that even during the weeks that Jr. Naturalist Camp is running, the camps merge for some activities and you will be asked to provide support at Nature Camp or Beaver Camp as needed.
Camp Health Care Assistant (one position available)
Up to 40 hours/wk for July and August, paid training begins mid-June
The Camp Healthcare Assistant takes the lead on keeping camp fun and safe for all. Your wide-ranging duties will include such things as keeping track of campers' special medical needs or allergies and giving the counsellors the information they need, reminding everyone to stay hydrated and apply their sunscreen, treating any injuries or illnesses that do occur and connecting with parents, keeping the first aid kits stocked, and more. But in between that, you will be a senior member of the camp team who takes part in all kinds of camp activities.
The Health Care Assistant starts their day a little later than most counsellors and then stays to work After Care. This position is ideal for a student studying nursing or another healthcare related role who also loves singing silly songs, playing games, and spending time with kids of all ages.
Room to Grow
For many counsellors, working at the Humber Arboretum is more than a one-summer commitment. Counsellors have gone on to senior positions at camp or to work at the Arboretum throughout the school year.
Tips for Applicants
Before an interview or even before submitting your application, take some time to:
- Read about the weekly Nature Camp themes and the Jr. Naturalist Camp themes for the coming year
- Watch the Nature Camp video playlist and Jr. Naturalist Camp video on YouTube
- Get to know the Arboretum grounds by visiting on your own or by attending a free event
- If you are a current student at Humber College or the University of Guelph-Humber, apply for your summer work-study approval in advance so you can state your status in your application or interview
- Drop by the Centre for Urban Ecology and say hi! We're open Monday-Friday 9 am - 4pm and staff would be happy to answer any questions you may have
Ways to Prepare
If you are applying for a summer camp position at the Arboretum (or any other summer camp!) you may choose to:
- Make sure your First Aid certification is up to date; a minimum of CPR Level C is required to work at the Humber Arboretum's Nature Camps
- Begin the process of getting a police record check, which all successful applicants must have applied for before training begins in mid-June
- Consider taking Parks and Recreation Ontario's High Five: Principles of Healthy Child Development one-day training, which is helpful for anyone looking to work with children aged 6-12
More Opportunities
If you don't think summer camp is right for you, students of Humber College and U of GH may also be interested in applying for employment as a work-study Student Gardener during the summer or in volunteering as a Humber Arboretum Ambassador throughout the school year. Learn about all of the opportunities for students at the Humber Arboretum.
