Program Educator - with Growth Opportunities

Position Title: Program Educator

Location: YMCA Camp Storer

Dates: Spring, 2024

Pay: $500 per week plus onsite housing and meals included while Camp is in session

General Function:

An educator works as part of a "Front Line" team responsible for delivering top quality

programming to our residential Outdoor Education and Specialty Programs and Group Retreats

camping programs.

Qualifications:

College graduate or coursework and experience in a relevant field (Education, Recreation,

Science, Environmental Education, Psychology, etc.) is required. Experience with youth, work in

the outdoors, positive attitude, high energy, enthusiasm, team oriented, and service minded

individuals, as well as a desire to grow personally and professionally are wanted on the YMCA

Storer Camp team.

Program Planning:

• Prepared to teach all curriculum area through training, peer observation, research, and class outlines.
• Maintains a safe, high quality standard program for all guests of Storer Camps.
• Assists in the continued development and delivery of the curriculum.
• Functions as a part of the entire Association. Participates in all program areas of Storer Camps and Association as requested.
• Responsible for general facility and equipment upkeep on a daily basis as well as center wide clean up at the end of the week.
• Class equipment is well cared for, kept clean and orderly.
• Equipment and facility needs are observed and communicated to supervisors in a timely manner.
• Participates in weekly staff meetings.

Implementing Programming:

• Teaches curriculum areas of Natural Science, Renewable Energy, Adventure Education (includes the climbing tower, team challenge course, high rope course) and Cultural History.
• Responsible and willing to rotate duties as a staff member in OEE and SPGR programs.
• Develops positive, friendly, professional rapport with guests and fellow staff members.
• Facilitates recreational activities and evening programs as scheduled for OEE and SPGR weekend groups.
• May have opportunities to: host meals in dining hall, lead large group evening programs, run orientation meetings for students/teachers.
• Serves as part of other department activities when needed and assigned by the director of the program area.
• Keeps program/teaching areas clean and camp equipment maintained safely for all guests.
• Flexible to adapt to programs and the needs and desires of our guests.
• Abides within the Personnel Policies of YMCA Storer Camps.
• Maintains a clean-living environment inside and outside of assigned living unit.

As a Program Educator, every day will be busy, but rewarding. You will be in charge of teaching students about the environment, caring for their needs, entertaining them, and doing various activities where they are engaged physically and mentally. As an educator and staff member, this opportunity is full of rewards. You will have the opportunity to touch the lives and build relationships with the young lives that come to this camp. You will be able to grow personally and professionally in teaching others, learning from others, and becoming or enhancing your versatility in the outdoors.

• YMCA Storer Camps near Jackson, MI serves school groups that bring 4th-7th graders for an out-of-doors experiential education adventure. Schools attend the outdoor school for a 3, 4, or 5 day program.
• Specialty Programming and Group Retreats (SPGR) groups happen over the weekends and involve YMCA parent/child programs, church retreats, Girl Scout and Boy Scout weekends and more.
• The Outdoor School offers four different curriculum areas. School teachers choose these classes to build on their classroom studies and to follow their school's curriculum benchmarks. These four areas are: natural sciences, renewable energy, cultural history and adventure education.
• A strong 50+ year tradition in Outdoor Environmental Education blends fresh ideas and talents of college-educated individuals with varied background experiences and the love of working with youth to make Storer's programming exceptional.
• Storer Camps has over 1200 acres with a 220 acre lake, forests, fields, wetlands, and ponds to explore and learn from. Educators often take advantage of the chance to utilize our watercrafts, horses, natural environment and equipment during time-off.
• The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI, Michigan State University in Lansing, MI and Detroit, MI are a short drive from YMCA Storer Camps. While YMCA Storer Camp offers wonderful natural spaces, these neighboring cities provide activities and social life that bigger cities can offer.

Salary and Benefits:

As a Program Educator, you will earn a base pay range of $90-$100 per day (based on education and experience). The position provides on-site housing, meals when groups are in camp, and a fitness membership to the local YMCA.

2023 Season:

August 23-December 2023 and January 23-May 24, 2024

Housing:

All residential camp employees for The Storer Camps Outdoor School and Specialty Programming and Group Retreats seasons live in on-camp housing. Staff will have their own room and shared living areas (kitchen, bathroom, living room). Each living unit has carpet, heat, bathroom facilities, and some furniture (bed, dresser, desk, and chair for each staff member). All utilities are paid by camp. Free laundry facilities are also located on-site at no charge.

Training and Career Advancement:

1week staff training and curriculum manual/lesson plans provided for each staff member. Career path mentoring, on-going staff development & feedback, and leadership opportunities available throughout the school year.