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The key role of the Camp Kitchen Assistant/Dishwasher is to oversee the cleanliness and organization of the kitchen which includes all dishes, pots, pans, countertops, refrigerators and other various kitchen appliances. They will also assist the Camp Kitchen Manager in making nutritious meals for all campers and staff attending overnight camp, including preparing meals for various diets such as vegan, gluten-free, etc. Due to the nature of our camp, this position requires creativity in using the outdoors as the kitchen alongside our commercial kitchen. The Camp Kitchen Assistant/Dishwasher may assist in coordinating meals taking place indoors and outdoors at various camp locations throughout the Arnot property.

There will be housing onsite provided in one of our rustic cabins, which includes access to a kitchen and bathrooms. This position has the potential to receive staff discounts for our youth summer day and overnight camps. All meals while camp is in session are provided at no cost!

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Please be sure to read the Notice to Applicants found on the Jobs with CCE page.
No relocation or VISA Sponsorship is 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 accommodation so you may participate in the selection process you are encouraged to contact CCE Tompkins HR at [email protected]. 

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The Outdoor Theater and Music Program Specialist is one of the core facilitators of Primitive Pursuits; immersing 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 the Outdoor Theater and Music Program Specialist is to design and facilitate daily activities, projects, and performances for youth within the realm of theater and music, using the natural world as your stage and inspiration. This may include writing songs about natural elements, creating short skits on how a natural phenomenon came about or creating characters and costumes based on our neighboring forests! They will act as a mentor who is able to ignite the camper’s curiosity and boost their confidence through role modeling curiosity, art of questioning and experiential learning. The Outdoor Theater and Music Program Specialist shares their knowledge, promotes stewardship, and nurtures a healthy relationship with the outdoor environment.

The Outdoor Theater and Music Program Specialist will work alongside other staff and work with campers ages 9-16. There will be housing onsite provided in one of our rustic cabins, which includes access to a kitchen and bathrooms. All meals while camp is in session are provided at no cost!

Overnight camp has the potential to change a young person’s life, come be a part of the team that makes it happen! If you secure your position prior to February 1,2025, you may be able to attend our Adult Earth Skills Series Spring program at no cost!

APPLY NOW

Please be sure to read the Notice to Applicants found on the Jobs with CCE page.
No relocation or VISA Sponsorship is 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 accommodation so you may participate in the selection process you are encouraged to contact CCE Tompkins HR at [email protected].

Click here for Full Position Description

An Overnight Lead Wilderness Instructor helps facilitate the core aim of Primitive Pursuits; immersing 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 an Overnight Lead Wilderness Instructor is to design, facilitate and supervise all daily all-camp events or activities including but not limited to cookouts, games and team building challenges. Throughout these events and activities, they act as mentors who share their naturalist skills and knowledge, promote stewardship, and nurture a healthy relationship in the outdoor environment.

An Overnight Lead Wilderness Instructor will work with campers ages 9-16. There will be housing onsite provided in one of our rustic cabins, which includes access to a kitchen and bathrooms. All meals while camp is in session are provided at no cost!

Overnight camp has the potential to change a young person’s life, come be a part of the team that makes it happen! If you secure your position prior to February 1,2025, you may be able to attend our Adult Earth Skills Series Spring program at no cost!

APPLY NOW

Please be sure to read the Notice to Applicants found on the Jobs with CCE page.
No relocation or VISA Sponsorship is 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 accommodation so you may participate in the selection process you are encouraged to contact CCE Tompkins HR at [email protected].

Click here for Full Position Description

The Extended-Day Wilderness Instructor will oversee and supervise campers after the conclusion of the regular day camp program. The key role of this person is to ensure the safety, supervision and wellbeing of all campers who remain onsite after the day camp program ends. They will work within a small team to create engaging and creative activities for campers ages 5-12 that help spark a deep meaningful connection to the natural world, themselves, and each other.

Prior to the start of camp, the Extended Day Camp Coordinator will be required to attend all of staff training (40-hour work week) to get comfortable and familiar with camp operations, risk management protocols and policies.

APPLY NOW

Please be sure to read the Notice to Applicants found on the Jobs with CCE page.
No relocation or VISA Sponsorship is 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 accommodation so you may participate in the selection process you are encouraged to contact CCE Tompkins HR at [email protected]. 

Click here for Full Position Description

The Assistant Day Camp Director works collaboratively with the Summer Leadership team to support the summer camp operations. Responsibilities include mentorship of staff, responding to emergencies, facilitating staff meetings and planning, maintaining camp resources and supplies, assisting instructors with camper supervision, and interacting with parents, campers, staff and administration as needed. Prior to the summer camp season, this position also assists the Day Camp Director with staff training preparation and implementation, site and resource organization, and other administrative tasks. This is a great role for someone who would like to become more involved with the leadership side of summer camp.

APPLY NOW

Please be sure to read the Notice to Applicants found on the Jobs with CCE page.
No relocation or VISA Sponsorship is 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 accommodation so you may participate in the selection process you are encouraged to contact CCE Tompkins HR at [email protected].

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.

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!

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.

• 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

• 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!

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!

“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.

• 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