The mission of Primitive Pursuits is to steward the health of our community by fostering life-long relationships with the natural world through exceptional mentoring and nature education. We have been providing nature connection programming to people of all ages for over twenty years and are excited to bring back our overnight summer camp at Arnot Forest.

The key role of the Overnight Camp Nurse is to oversee all emergency and medical related care for our overnight camp staff and campers from registration, arrival to departure. Prior to camp starting the Camp Nurse will stock the infirmary of all necessary supplies and review all camper health documents. Each week the Camp Nurse will intake and organize camper medical documents. Upon camper arrival the Camp Nurse will check in with each camper and parent to discuss any pertinent medications and/or medical information. Throughout the week the Camp Nurse will provide medications to campers and staff as per Department of Health standards, maintain the camp infirmary, treat minor injuries and be on-call while camp is in session. The Overnight Camp Nurse stays onsite at Arnot Forest for the entire duration of the camp season.

The Overnight Camp Nurse will ideally commit to the entire employment length, 6/23/25-8/4/2025 but we will consider applicants who can not commit to the entirety of the season (ex: 1,2,3 weeks)

There will be housing onsite provided in one of our 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]. 

The mission of Primitive Pursuits is to steward the health of our community by fostering life-long relationships with the natural world through exceptional mentoring and nature education. We have been providing nature connection programming to people of all ages for over twenty years and are excited to bring back our overnight summer camp at Arnot Forest.

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!

View or Download Full Description

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]. 

The mission of Primitive Pursuits is to steward the health of our community by fostering life-long relationships with the natural world through exceptional mentoring and nature education. We have been providing nature connection programming to people of all ages for over twenty years and are excited to bring back our overnight summer camp at Arnot Forest.

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!

View or Download Full Description

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]. 

The mission of Primitive Pursuits is to steward the health of our community by fostering life-long relationships with the natural world through exceptional mentoring and nature education. We have been providing nature connection programming to people of all ages for over twenty years and are excited to bring back our overnight summer camp at Arnot Forest.

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!

View or Download Full Description

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]. 

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants who are interested in applying for the Assistant Summer Camp Director should apply by March 1, 2024. Applicants who are interested in Logistics Coordinator, Lead Wilderness Instructor, Wilderness Instructor, or Internship position are encouraged to apply by May 1, 2024.

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 Wilderness Year program, 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 applicable of settings
• And More! 

We also offer opportunities outside of camp hours for further skill training and community building throughout the summer!

“I made so many friendships with other instructors during this summer, and I loved coming to work. This definitely felt like a community. I also felt like I gained a lot of good experience and ideas after working with skilled lead counselors.”

“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.”

“The sentiment of “meeting everyone where they are at” has left me with a lifelong lesson to practice. My heart beams with gratitude for the empowerment, empathy, and support I felt from my time at Primitive Pursuits. This experience allowed me to grow as a leader, teammate, and individual.” 

• All staff are required to attend staff training the week of June 24th-28th.  
• Summer camp runs from July 1-August 30. 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 following all guidance and recommendations by the CDC, NYS Health Department, and Tompkins Health Department.