The 4-H Camps at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove provide environmentally focused summer camps for Maine youth in Lincolnville and Tenants Harbor.  Programs emphasize community living, respect for others, fun, safety, responsibility, and the joy of being a part of the natural world. 

 

As an Overnight Camp Educator, you'll spend your weeks working with youth aged 8-14 in an outdoor setting. Staff work in teams to plan and lead morning focus programs, afternoon electives, and evening programs (creative arts, STEM, archery, general ecology, gardening & cooking, marine ecology, wilderness skills, 4-H Hunter Safety, conservation education, and drama are examples of potential themes). 

 

As a Day Camp Educator, you'll spend your days working with youth ages 5-11 in an outdoor setting. Day Camp Staff work in teams to plan and lead hands-on, engaging programming that encourages community, creativity, and respect for one another and the environment.

 

Regardless of your role, all staff are mentors first and foremost to our future leaders! 

 

Goal: A successful Summer Educator models a positive, accepting, and respectful attitude to create an inviting and supportive environment in which all can grow, learn and thrive alongside the Earth.

 

Overnight Camp Educator Responsibilities:

• Live in a cabin with campers and, along with a co-counselor, create the necessary atmosphere for a safe and positive camp experience (staff/camper ratio = 1:4-8).
• Design and co-coordinate, implement and evaluate a hands-on curriculum for youth in a week-long, morning program (8-16 youth per group, 1:8 ratio max).  
• Help to plan and carry out camp activities such as afternoon elective programming (teaching 1 lesson per day), special events, opening and closing ceremonies, evening programs, campfires, etc.
• Actively engage with campers during all program activities, cabin times, and mealtimes.

Day Camp Educator Responsibilities

• Work in a team to develop, coordinate, and implement daily camp programs that offer hands-on environmental learning for campers ages 5-11. Activities will be offered in outdoor and indoor areas and topics may include gardening, ecology, watersheds, art, drama, STEM, music, and cooperation. Topics can be taught through exploration, games, puppetry, art, songs, and stories.
• Welcome parents and provide communication regarding schedules, individual campers, safety, behaviors, etc.

Shared Responsibilities

• Work closely with the camp team in all programming to create the necessary atmosphere for a positive camp experience.
• Supervise and ensure the safety of campers at all times.
• Help manage and maintain supplies, equipment, and living spaces in a way that ensures equitable, safe, and sanitary use in an organized and respectful manner.
• Role model healthy living, positive energy, clear communication, and good stewardship for the environment.
• Participate in staff meetings, community chores, and miscellaneous maintenance duties as required to contribute to the ongoing improvement of the camp.
• Strictly and responsibly follow all health-related protocols during working and non-working hours.
• Develop a good rapport and positive relationships with fellow staff and parents. 

Dates and Compensation:

• June 16-August 16, 2024
• $450/week (pre-tax) with increases dependent on experience, certifications and responsibilities; additional bonus added for overnight responsibilities 
• Includes rustic, shared housing, meals during program sessions, laundry, and internet access

About the University:

The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine  is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at  umaine.edu . 

 

The University of Maine offers a  wide range of benefits  for employees including, but not limited to, tuition benefits (employee and dependent), comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options. As a former NSF ADVANCE institution, the University of Maine is committed to diversity in our workforce and to dual-career couples.

 

Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove are located in mid-coast Maine, in the towns of Lincolnville and Tenants Harbor respectively. This position is based at one of these two locations. Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove are sandwiched between two great coastal towns of Rockland and Belfast with the nearby food and arts community of Camden nested in between.

Qualifications:

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 2 years previous camp or related experience working with youth; for day camp specifically in early childhood education. 
• Demonstrate responsible and safe decision-making skills in all aspects of outdoor camp programming.
• Ability to work with children in a high-energy outdoor setting with long hours. 
• Capability to lead groups outdoors over various terrain (camp trails and facility), while carrying a small backpack with teaching and first aid supplies.
• First Aid and Basic Life Support certification or the ability to get certification before the start date.

Preferred:

• Lifeguard certification
• Wilderness First Aid certification

Other Information:

If you are a student, please send all application materials (see below) to  extension.tanglewood4h@maine.edu . 

 

If you are not a student, materials must be submitted via "Apply For Position" below. You will need to create a profile and application; upload:

 

1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position
2.) a resume/curriculum vitae
3.) contact information for three professional references

 

You will also need to submit the affirmative action survey, the self-identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status forms. Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

 

Search Timeline is as follows:
Review of applications to begin: February 5, 2024
Interviews to begin no earlier than: February 28, 2024
Tentative start date: June 16, 2024

 

For questions about the search, please contact search committee chair Jessica Decke at  jessica.decke@maine.edu  or 207-789-5802.

 

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.

 

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Length:

Other

Required Documents:

Cover Letter, References, Resume/CV