Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens - Summer Nature Camp Coordinator

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine is seeking a Summer Nature Camp Coordinator. This is a full-time seasonal position, cosisting of a 40 hour work week from mid-June to August 20th

Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is committed to the protection, preservation and enhancement of the botanical heritage of coastal Maine for people of all ages through horticulture, education, and research.

Under the direction of the Youth and Family Program Coordinator, the Summer Camp Coordinator will be primarily responsible for:
Creating and implementing week-long Nature Adventure Camps for children age 4-11. These camps include a Nature Explorers camp for 9-11 year olds that emphasizes the natural world through inquiry-based outdoor activities, skill building and geocaching; a Nature Adventure Camp for ages 4-5 and ages 6-8 that encourages imagination and creativity through garden and forest walks, stories, games, arts and crafts and nature-related projects; and a Garden Explorers Camp for 4-5 and 6-8 year olds that teaches campers the basics and gardening through gardening activities, observations in our very own Learning Garden, experiments, taste tests and take-home garden projects.

Secondarily, the Summer Camp Coordinator, will also be responsible for:

• Assisting with the implementation of environmental education and gardening programs for children and their families including drop-in youth programs, parent and child gardening classes and weekly activities with local YMCA campers.
• Carrying out daily activities in the Children’s Garden such as storytime, garden puppet theatre, nature investigations and weekly activities such as Fairy Fridays.
• Assisting with the daily upkeep of the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden.

Qualifications:
The successful candidate must have a background in education, with experience teaching youth, especially young children. A degree in education or credits towards a degree in this field, is preferred, but not required. A background in environmental education is also preferred. Some knowledge of gardening and of Maine’s natural history is desirable. We’re seeking a responsible, well-organized, creative, enthusiastic, patient individual who has a love for nature and the outdoors, enjoys working with and teaching children of all ages, who loves all things green and who will enjoy working as part of our Education staff team.

Schedule:
This full-time seasonal position begins in mid-June (start date can be flexible) and continues until August 20th with the possibility for extended work through the end of August if candidate desires. Some weekend work will be required. Rate of pay for this position is $12.00 per hour.

To Apply:
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter describing their interest in the position, a resume, and a list of three references to:
Erika Huber, Youth and Family Program Coordinator
ehuber@mainegardens.org
Application Deadline: Friday, March 22nd, 2013