COULD THIS BE THE PLACE FOR YOU?
With an exceptional core of seasoned year-round staff, low instructor to student ratios and a supportive environment, a job with Primitive Pursuits offers many opportunities to grow and master valuable skills.
We are always interested in those with a passion for what we do! If you don’t see the position or internship you are looking for, reach out to us at [email protected].
Primitive Pursuits of Ithaca, NY is a renowned outdoor youth development program in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension and 4-H Youth Development. We offer nature-based skills and experiences that foster youth development and connections with nature. Our summer programs utilize time-honored mentoring techniques and an outdoor immersion curriculum. By learning and teaching wilderness living skills in small groups, locally, we create unique experiences of wilderness adventure and community building in a format that is inclusive for families of all income levels.
A presentation about summer and working with us
A short video about working at Primitive Pursuits
Thank you for your interest in working with Primitive Pursuits! At this time all summer 2025 positions have been filled.
JOIN US FOR…FRICTION FIRE. EPIC GAMES. LAUGHTER. STORIES AND SONGS. COMMUNITY BUILDING. GRATITUDE. PRIMITIVE SKILL BUILDING. ALL-OUTDOOR FUN.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer. At Primitive Pursuits, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for the benefit of our employees, our programs, and the communities we serve.
If you have any questions send us an email at [email protected]
Who should apply?
We are looking for people who value time spent in nature in all weather, are inspired by connecting with youth of all ages in the outdoors, enjoy working in a collaborative enviornment, and strongly believe this work is contributing to the future sustainability of our community and the world.
What is a typical day like?
While every day is framed by our core routines, each day is a unique adventure guided by the skills of our staff, the interests of our particpants, and the myseries provided each day by the natural world. Instructor teams will collaborate to create a flow for the week and a plan for each day that inspires a deep nature connection within participants and highlights the seasonal gifts of the natural world. For example, our Primitive Café summer camp is all about campfire cooking creations. The week may begin with familiarizing ourselves with how to identify local edible plants and the tenants of sustainable harvesting, then move into a grand search for the ripest seasonal goodies (early-summer black raspberries, anyone?), and end with a cooking competition featuring guests judges!
Our days begin with an opening circle, including a song and land acknowledgement, to presence and unify the group’s energy before diving into the day. Will you be following tracks left at camp by a visitor in the night? Building a fire to cook a feast? Practicing your camouflage skills? Harvesting natural crafting materials? Hiking out for lunch at the big creek? The forest is full of possibilities! Each day ends with a closing circle, which serves as an opporunity to reflect on the day, express gratitude, and build excitement for the next adventure.
Throughout the day, staff have opportunities to connect and collaborate with other staff members. Your group might join another for an epic game, invite others to their performance or fair, or travel around bringing gifts and songs to other groups. At the end of a day of summer camp, a favorite staff activity is to cool off with a swim in the nearby gorges while sharing stories of the day.
When is the deadline to apply?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants who are interested in applying for the Assistant Summer Camp Director should apply by March 1, 2025. Applicants who are interested in Logistics Coordinator, Lead Wilderness Instructor, Wilderness Instructor, or Internship positions are encouraged to apply by May 1, 2025.
Interviews will continue until all positions are filled which is usually in May. The earlier you apply, the better!
What happens after I submit my application?
Ideally, within a week of receiving your application, you will receive an email from us letting you know whether you have qualified for an interview. Interviews will happen in person, if possible. If not possible, video calls will be the second choice.
How can I strengthen my application?
• Work or volunteer for an outdoor education organization with direct experience with youth
• Attend a primitive skills gathering or workshop
• Participate in adult development opportunities related to naturalist skills and nature mentoring such as the Primitive Pursuits Adult Program offerings, Alderleaf Wilderness School, programs through Wilderness Awareness School, and others with similar outcomes.
• Become familiar with nature mentoring, such as by reading The Coyote’s Guide by Jon Young
Staff Expectations
• Spend entire days immersed in the fields, forests and waterways of undeveloped nature in the Finger Lakes Region, in all weather conditions
• Be punctual and present for required trainings, planning sessions and assigned hours
• Explore your own personal connection with nature so you can share stories, experiences, learning and inquiries with others
• Engage and connect with children in nature in meaningful and inspiring ways
• Work collaboratively on teams to create meaningful and memorable experiences
• Promote inclusive and welcoming environments that value diversity of staff and participants
• Value and practice self-awareness, professionalism and positive communication skills
• Have a good sense of humor, be creative and flexible, and have a deep love for learning
• Believe that connecting kids to the natural world in meaningful ways plays a big part in improving the health of our planet for future generations
• Role-model engaged, compassionate, inspired, curious learners
• Ask questions!
What training is offered?
We provide required week-long training for our new and returning day camp staff.
Over the course of the week new day camp staff will:
- Be introduced to our methods, philosophy, and culture of nature connection
- Be exposed to a range of games, activities, and camp spaces
- Learn and develop their naturalist and primitive skills
- Understand our risk management policy, why it is important, and how it guides our overall program
- Get to connect and learn with other summer staff
- Immerse into the Primitive Pursuits culture
- Practice and learn effective forms of feedback
- And More!
In addition to everything listed above, lead day camp staff will:
- Dive deeply into what Coyote Mentoring and the Eight Sheilds Teaching Model are and how we incorporate them into our programs
- Learn how to plan a fun, meaningful, and impactful arc (plan) for the week
- Understand the various roles of an instructor team and how to provide support for each person
- Learn how to be an effective mentor and support for their instructor team
For our overnight camp staff we provide a more in-depth training over the course of a week and a half. Staff will learn the topics above in additon to:
- Daily and weekly camp schedule
- Learn how to create rapport and safe spaces within camper groups
- Learn how to navigate difficult conversations with campers
- Learn self-care methods and strategies that can be applied in a variety of settings
- And More!
We also offer opportunities outside of camp hours for further skill training and community building throughout the summer!
What are past staff members saying?
“I loved getting to work with many different people and both learn from and mentor so many. It was great to work with people who have a different leadership style and energy than I do.” – Lyla W.
“Putting myself ‘out there’ in a new position, new place, with new people brought up a lot of personal feelings of vulnerability and the people at Primitive Pursuits showed me that I am appreciated for the ‘me’ whom I am. I noticed that there is a pattern of this among people who have been touched by the Primitive Pursuits community. I feel truly blessed to have been graced by this human and more-than-human world. Thank you.” – Jackson T.
“There are so many skills I have taken away from this summer, but the one main thing I will be taking with me is the amazing training week with all the skills I have leaned like mentoring, communication, and risk management.” – Nathan F.
Time Commitment
- All staff are required to attend staff training the week of June 23th-27th.
- Summer camp runs from June 30 -August 29. We would like all day camp wilderness instructors to work a minimum of 5 weeks and a maximum of 9 weeks during the camp season in addition to staff training. Interns are required to work a minimum of 3 weeks and a maximum of 9 weeks in addition to staff training week.
- Admin and Photojournalist Interns will create a schedule based on the camp’s needs and expectations
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.
Please be sure to read the Notice to Applicants found on the Jobs with CCE page:
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 [email protected].