Outdoor Education Instructor

Position Summary 

An Outdoor Education Instructor ensures all school groups have a quality and educational camp experience by being the main point of contact with groups when they are on site and facilitating the curriculum as outlined. The program staff are also to respond to the needs of the guest by providing quality customer service. The position works directly with students, teachers, and chaperones to create a quality experience for all guests.

Fall Season Dates: 8/17/2026 - 11/13/2026

Pay: $450.00 per week

Additional benefits: Onsite housing & meals provided when groups are on site

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Working with School Groups
  • Be the face of camp and primary point of contact when school groups are on site
  • Respond to the needs of the guests and provide quality customer service
  • Facilitate orientation as outlined for both students and adults 
  • Execute program curriculum as outlined
  • Lead flagpoles, campfires, and other activities as scheduled 
  • Be relational with the students and support their personal and educational growth while at camp
  • Ensure guests are adhering to camp safety policies and procedures 
• Other Duties
  • Complete tasks as assigned for the betterment of camp
  • Handle power tools (wood splitter, drills, saws, weed whacker)
  • Use hand tools such as shovels and hammers
  • Operate golf cart 
  • Report any accidents or injuries to directors
• Weekend Responsibilities 
  • Work weekends as assigned
  • Participate in leading workshops for Outdoor Education 
  • Work with Groups and Conferences department as needed, in both program areas and trading post
  • Perform other functions as directed for the good of camp and guests

Supervisory Responsibilities

Not applicable to this role 

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be willing to live communally, be a good housemate, and contribute to a clean house. 
• Must be a dependable self-starter that meets strict timelines, has attention to detail, is results oriented and has excellent organizational skills
• Must be an individual with integrity, and the ability to look at the big picture of Camp Tecumseh’s mission. Must have a passion for working with youth
• Must have a passion for the outdoors
• Must be someone who can develop and maintain relationships with those from all walks of life while having an engaging and dynamic manner about them that exudes a warm and positive way of thinking with empathy and compassion towards others
• Must have excellent communication skills which includes speaking, reading, listening, and writing to collaborate with team members as well as external parties
• Must be an individual with a growth mindset and always learning mentality that is looking to improve and add to the existing culture of Camp Tecumseh through managing and leading others
• Must be flexible and adaptable in the presence of unforeseen circumstances with the ability to problem solve
• Must have knowledge of computers, Microsoft Office skills, and email
• Must be able to demonstrate capacity to work independently without close oversight, while also a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority internally and externally
• Must be willing to be trained to drive camp vehicles and tractors
• Must be able to operate a golf cart, or LSV (low-speed vehicle) in accordance with safety laws around Camp Tecumseh property (or willing to be trained)
• Follow all rules and guidelines set forth in the Camp Tecumseh YMCA Staff Handbook

Physical Demands and Work Environment 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Work Environment

• Ability to work indoors/outdoors, in the rain, wind, and in hot or cold conditions.  Employee may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions
• This role uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, AV systems, etc. 
• May require occasional travel and driving onsite Camp Tecumseh
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate with the possibility of being exposed to loud noises outside and while using power tools
• Must be comfortable working independently as a lone worker

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

• Must be able to lift, bend, twist, stoop, and have good hand dexterity
• Ability to push and pull loads
• Good physical health including ability to lift and carry objects up to 20-25 pounds regularly. and up to 50 pounds on occasion. 
• May be required to work more than an eight-hour day and weekends
• Must be able to communicate via computer and phone/smart device
• Must be able to remain in a sedentary for a long period of time when in office. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust. 
• Ability to use power tools with reciprocating motion 
• Must be able to stand for 8-10 hours per day
• Ability to physically navigate all camp terrain
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate and converse with employees, maintain a stationary position (standing and sitting), move/traverse, kneel, bend, and reach with hands and arms for extended periods of time. The worker may be required to operate in close quarters, small rooms, and narrow aisles and passageways.