Nature Camp Counselor (Multiple Bay Area Cities)

Inspire Active Learning, LLC; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid training

Paid rest breaks

Retirement plan

Referral bonus

Job summary

Inspire Active Learning, LLC seeks Nature Camp Counselors to run K-5 nature camps across East Bay locations including Oakland and Berkeley. You will guide outdoor learning, hikes, nature crafts, and science activities in Call of the Wild Camps, using emergent curricula and nature-based teaching in Bay Area parks.

We value energetic, responsible team players who are passionate about vegan and environmental education, with the ability to manage diverse groups and engage children with active,

Responsibilities

• Lead hikes for K-5th graders in small groups.
• Maintain a 4:1 or 5:1 student:staff ratio.
• Deliver age-appropriate nature education activities across biology, ecology, language arts, and art.

Job description

2026-2027 Saturday Camps on Second Saturdays in East Bay through May

2026 Fall Break Camp in Oakland, November 23-25

2026 Winter Break Camp in Oakland, December 28-31

Camp Type: Day camp, nature camp, elementary school level camp

Do you love working with children? Are you an avid hiker with a love of nature and the outdoors? Are you vegan for animals or the environment? How about combining your passions into one fun camp counselor job? At Inspire Active Learning, LLC, we are looking for Nature Camp Counselors to work in seasonal nature camps for elementary school age kids in grades K-5. We seek experienced, enthusiastic, energetic, dynamic, and creative camp leaders to join us in creating and implementing educational programs outdoors. Nature Camp Counselors lead children in outdoor Call of the Wild Camps , day camps in Oakland, Berkeley, Castro Valley, Cupertino, Los Gatos, and Vacaville. Our seasonal fall, winter, spring, and summer nature camps are for kids to connect with nature, hike, read and write, create nature-inspired art, explore, learn biology and environmental stewardship, play and make friends in forests and nature sites of the Bay Area.

Job description in a nutshell: Nature Camp Counselors actively facilitate nature education and fun learning opportunities for children in forests, nature preserves, and open spaces. This is not a babysitter job or a yard duty job. Camp counselors use emergent curriculum and actively teach, capturing teachable moments and creating playful nature education throughout the day.

You may be the ideal Nature Camp Counselor for Call of the Wild Camps if:

You are a responsible, conscientious adult

You are a dependable team player, communicative, creative, fun, adaptable, friendly, playful, outgoing, energetic, and eager to inspire and engage children in learning by doing

You care about science, the scientific method, facts, empiricism, reason, critical thinking, and objective reality

You have experience in nature education, science education, early childhood education, elementary school education, outdoor education, environmental education, literacy education, outdoor recreation, and related fields

You are vegan : "Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of animals, humans and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals." - The Vegan Society

WHO WE ARE: We believe that to inspire learning is to inspire action! We believe in experiential education and lifelong learning. Inspire Active Learning's mission is to empower people to live happier, more independent and fulfilling lives by achieving their learning goals. Outdoor educators in Call of the Wild Camps provide a fun, safe alternative to screen addiction; inspire nature connection and curiosity; and foster healthy, positive relationships with flora and fauna in our natural environments.

WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE:

We believe in the wisdom of "be kind to every kind" and the benefits of veganism on animals and the environment.

We value diversity and include children with disabilities and typically developing children alike in our programs.

We value the integrity of the whole person and are dedicated to a well-rounded blend of head, heart, and body -- being constant learners, kind and caring, and focused on learning by doing.

We use emergent curriculum and principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA) , the science of learning that focuses on observable interaction between the learner and environment.

We are a small company focused on quality over quantity.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Complete training online and onsite in Call of the Wild Camps locations (initial training is before the start date of the first session of the camp season)

Punctually and reliably attend scheduled work hours, rain or shine, including training, staff meetings, and camp session dates

Safely lead hikes in parks up to approx. 6 miles per day for K-5th graders in small groups

Maintain a 4:1 or 5:1 student: staff ratio or ratio approved by the camp supervisor

Implement age-appropriate, grade-appropriate, K-5 level nature-themed science, outdoor education, language arts, art, and motor activities for Call of the Wild Camps

For summer camps, implement activities for theme weeks such as Enchanted Forest Art, Enchanted Forest Stories, Enchanted Vegan , Trailblazers, and Nature Explorers

Supervise and engage children on occasional science museum and science center visits

Teach and facilitate fun and positive nature education and animal education curriculum on vegan topics, such as animal rights, speciesism, health, food, clothing, and the environment

Teach and lead outdoor language arts activities for children with nature and wilderness themes, including circle time with story time and singing, literary show-and-tell, skits, nature journaling, mapmaking, creative writing, and authoring and illustrating books

Teach and facilitate science activities on topics in biology, ecology, zoology, life science, environmental science, outdoor education, stewardship, conservation, preservation, etc., integrating naturalistic observation, group discussion, games, children's books, and writing activities

Teach and engage children in outdoor activities that blend recreation and education, such as nature-themed field games, hide and seek and chase games, forest "I Spy" games, and scavenger hunts

Teach and facilitate nature-themed arts and crafts

Engage children with a fun teaching style and high energy, creativity, adaptability, spontaneity, dynamism, and positivity

Supervise and facilitate children's rest breaks, snack and lunch breaks, and physical play breaks

Provide naturalistic executive function teaching across diverse activities

Implement teaching and behavior management based on principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), including prompting, positive reinforcement, and contingencies of reinforcement based on student preferences and choices

Facilitate emergent curriculum and child-centered, student-centered, experiential, incidental, and play-based teaching and learning opportunities

Create both structured and incidental learning opportunities

Keep work materials neat, organized, and in good working condition

Drive by personal vehicle during the work shift for emergency or safety-related situations or to access reception as needed under supervisor direction

Follow the three camp rules: (1) be kind, (2) be safe, and (3) leave no trace, and make sure campers follow them

Follow all health and safety requirements, and make sure campers follow them

Follow all seven leave no trace principles, and make sure campers follow them

Actively contribute and participate in staff training and meetings

Proactively communicate camp questions and concerns with the camp director and supervisor

Follow directions and implement feedback from supervisors

Interact with students and staff in a kind, caring, respectful, positive, and professional manner

Represent Call of the Wild Camps in a positive and professional manner with customers, staff, and park visitors

Mentor and support Counselors in Training (CITs) participating in the internship program

Meet all of the physical requirements for the job, including standing, bending, sitting, squatting, walking, occasional lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs., hiking up to approx. 6 miles per day on varied terrain in varied weather with a backpack weighing up to 20% of your body weight, visual acuity for reading books, maps, interpretive panels, and signs

Perform other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Proof of your high school diploma or higher degree

Most recent academic transcript (unofficial is permitted) in good standing with a 3.5 minimum GPA. If your school does not provide grades, you do not qualify for this position.

Proof of a declared major or minor in a relevant discipline or completion of one or more relevant courses, such as biology, environmental science, or education

Certification and Safety Requirements:

Proof of CPR and First Aid certification that remains unexpired through all camps dates you are applying to work. The only accepted CPR and First Aid certification involves passing a live skills assessment with an instructor. In person or hybrid in-person/online courses are the only acceptable courses. Entirely online courses are not acceptable.

Proof of TB clearance completed within 4 years of the camp session start date.

Pass a DOJ and FBI background check.

Experience:

Minimum 12 months of in-person experience as a camp counselor, outdoor educator, naturalist, recreation leader, coach, instructor, or classroom teacher working with GROUPS of elementary school age children at K-5th grade level, ages 5-10. Babysitting or nannying are not equivalent experience.

Frequent, regular experience hiking, trail running, or backpacking trails on varied terrain at least 6 miles in a day

Experience working in person with culturally, linguistically, and developmentally diverse children

Experience working in person with children with widely diverse abilities, such as giftedness, typically developing children, children with disabilities (e.g., autism, ADHD, dyslexia, speech and language delays), and English Language Learners (ELL)

Experience leading extracurricular enrichment activities in person for groups of children in grades K-5, ages 5-10

Experience implementing effective and appropriate behavior management in person for children in grades K-5, ages 5-10

Experience with child development and implementing age-appropriate, grade-appropriate, developmentally appropriate activities in person for children in grades K-5, ages 5-10

Skills:

Ability to model and educate about veganism as more than a diet

Ability to hike trails of moderate difficulty on hilly and uneven terrain up to approximately 6 miles a day five days a week for multiple consecutive weeks

Ability to carry a hiking backpack weighing up to 20% of your body weight for the duration of each camp day

Ability to meet all other physical requirements for the job, including standing, bending, sitting, squatting, walking, occasional lifting and carrying up to 50 lbs., and visual acuity for reading books, maps, interpretive panels, and signs

Demonstrate a fun and engaging leadership style with high energy, creativity, adaptability, spontaneity, dynamism, and positivity

Friendly, kind, caring, compassionate, and patient teaching style for learners of all skill levels

Eagerness and openness to continually learn and develop your skill set

Command of American English phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, and pragmatics

Excellent ability to break concepts down into simple and easy steps

Excellent time-management and organizational skills

Outstanding oral and written communication skills

Eco-conscious skills with a demonstrable love of nature and the outdoors

You can articulate how veganism benefits animals, health, and the environment

Health-conscious skills with a demonstrable love of active and healthy living

Enthusiasm for nature-themed language arts and literacy teaching

Enthusiasm for making education relevant to children's lives

Demonstrate care for children and a desire to help the whole child learn and grow in enjoyable ways, in addition to subject-matter competence in language arts and relevant life sciences

Other Requirements:

You are an adult (age 18 or older) or will be an adult before the start date of all camp sessions you're applying to work

Proof of a valid California driver's license

Proof of auto insurance

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience hiking in the parks you're applying to work in. Check the Call of the Wild Camps pages to view the locations.

You are vegan, as defined by The Vegan Society and as described on Inspire's website here: What is Veganism?

PERKS AND BENEFITS:

Have fun teaching and inspiring kids in the great outdoors!

Employees get paid training; paid rest breaks; off-duty lunch breaks; and retirement plan if working at least 30 days

Referral bonus

Supportive and friendly environment with coaching and mentorship

Become part of a company that truly cares about both the employee’s and student’s happiness and success!

LOCATIONS: Bay Area par ks. Check the Call of the Wild Camps web pages for more information on all locations.

Saturday Camps: Berkeley, Castro Valley, Oakland, and Hayward. Click to see the full locations here: Saturday Nature Camps

Fall Break Camp: Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, Oakland

Winter Break Camp : Roberts Regional Recreation Area and Chabot Space and Science Center, Oakland

Spring Break Camps:

Cupertino and Los Altos: Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve

Summer Camps:

Oakland: Joaquin Miller Park, Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, Roberts Regional Recreation Area

Cupertino and Los Altos: Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve

SCHEDULE:

Training: before the start date of camp sessions at your assigned sites

Saturday Camps 2026-2027: second Saturdays now through May, 8:55 AM-5:05 PM

Fall Break Camp 2026: November 23-25 (three days), 8:25 AM-4:35 PM

Spring Break Camps 2027 :

Cupertino and Los Altos: April 12-16 (five days), 8:25 AM-4:35 PM

Summer Camps 2027:

Oakland and Berkeley: June-July, Mon-Fri, 8:25 AM-4:35 PM

CLASSIFICATION: Non-exempt employee for temporary, seasonal work

COMPENSATION: $21.00/hr - $23.00/hr DOE

RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

1) Application

2) Interview via Google Meet for qualified applicants

3) Employment verification, plus reference checks with two supervisors who have overseen your work with children

4) Conditional job offers are made to selected candidates

5) Final job offers are made, contingent upon successfully completing all requirements for hire

JOB TITLE: Nature Camp Counselor may be variously known as or similar to camp leader, camp teacher, camp instructor, outdoor educator, youth leader, youth group leader, program leader, lead counselor, lead camp counselor, elementary program leader, outdoor camp counselor, forest camp counselor, naturalist, summer camp counselor, spring camp counselor, winter camp counselor, fall camp counselor, hiking camp counselor, science camp counselor, vegan camp counselor, writing camp counselor, reading camp counselor, academic camp counselor, K-5 camp counselor, nature instructor, naturalist, Berkeley camp counselor, Oakland camp counselor, Cupertino camp counselor, Los Altos camp counselor, Los Gatos camp counselor