The Assistant Day Camp Director works collaboratively with the Camp Director to support our mission within the summer camp operations. Responsibilities include mentorship of staff, responding to emergencies, facilitating staff meetings and planning, maintaining camp resources and supplies, and interacting with parents, campers, staff and administration as needed. Prior to the summer camp season, this position also assists the 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.

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 programs 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 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]. 

A Lead Wilderness Instructor facilitates the core aim of Primitive Pursuits; bringing 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 a Lead Wilderness Instructor is to design and implement the flow of the week centered on assisting and instructing youth on outdoor and naturalist skills, including but not limited to primitive technology, fire making, shelter construction and procurement of food and water. Lead Wilderness Instructors act as mentors who share their naturalist skills and knowledge, promote stewardship and build healthful relationships in the outdoor environment. Wilderness Instructors may work with Growing Wild (3-5 yr olds) or Day Camp (5-15 yr olds).

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 programs 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 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]. 

A Wilderness Instructor facilitates the core aim of Primitive Pursuits; bringing 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 a Wilderness Instructor is to assist and instruct youth on outdoor and naturalist skills, including but not limited to: primitive technology, fire making, shelter construction and procurement of food and water. Wilderness instructors act as mentors who share their naturalist skills and knowledge, promote stewardship and build healthful relationships in the outdoor environment. Wilderness Instructors may work with Growing Wild (3-5 yr olds) or Day Camp (5-15 yr olds). 

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 programs 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 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]. 

This position requires a minimum four week commitment.

Responsibilities:

• Maintaining and managing our camp database to track progress and inform executive functions of program
• Insuring a smooth process of camp functions consisting of weekly paperwork, camp payments, and required camper paperwork
• Making phone calls to parents and answering the phone
• Act as a liaison between our Registrar or Logistics Coordinator if needed
• Specialized projects designed by you, to benefit your professional development goals
• General administrative and organizational support
• Other tasks related to administrative responsibilities

Required Qualifications:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Drive and comfort with computer skills development
• Being a part of a positive, professional and all-inclusive environment
• Collaborating effectively with others
• Access to reliable transportation
• Able to Attend Staff Training Week June 19-23, 2023

Preferred Qualifications:

• Desire to promote the educational mission of the program and the parent institutions
• Experience working with the camp database; UltraCamp

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]. 

For additional questions please contact: [email protected]

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 programs 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 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, 2023. Applicants who are interested in Logistics Coordinator, Lead Wilderness Instructor, Wilderness Instructor, or Internship position are encouraged to apply by May 1, 2023. 

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 staff.

Over the course of the week new 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 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 those interested, a one-day archery training may be available for lead and assistant wilderness instructors. 

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.”  – Summer Wilderness Instructor

“ I feel extremely lucky that I was able to spend so many of my weeks in the woods this summer. I love being in nature, and probably the most rewarding aspect of my work this summer was being able to connect with so many kids. I loved that I could create a positive, happy experience for kids by playing games, telling stories, and just being in the woods having fun.” – Summer Wilderness Instructor

“Working with Primitive Pursuits has taught me invaluable life skills. It combines learning, mentoring, exploration, daring, creativity, intuition, and practicality for an enriching experience, with the natural world as the classroom!” – Summer Wilderness Instructor

“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.” – Summer Camp Coordinator

• All staff are required to attend staff training the week of June 19th-23rd.  
• Summer camp runs from June 26-September 1. We would like all wilderness instructors to work a minimum of 7 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.