Location and Job Title:

Camp Twelve Trails Gardening and Nature Specialist (Grow Specialist)
YM & YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood
54 Nagle Ave
New York, NY 10040

Principal Responsibilities:

CAMP OVERVIEW

Camp Twelve Trails gives children entering Kindergarten - 10th grade the best of both specialty and traditional day camp programs. It is comprised of five Neighborhoods (elective tracks): Play, Create, Explore, Discover, and Grow that allow campers to strengthen their skills in their favorite specialty while encouraging them to explore new

areas. Our program is rooted in universally shared values central to Jewish life. These values are incorporated into everything we do, hoping to encourage our staff and campers to be the best versions of themselves.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Activity Specialists develop and implement educationally-rich, experiential programming at camp. As a Nature & Gardening Specialist (Grow Specialist), we expect you to run informative, fun, and energetic programs for all ages in camp. Activities can include but are not limited to, hiking, plant identification, planting, harvesting, cooking, nature art and more!

DUTIES PRE CAMP

• Participate in training and collaborative lesson planning
• Produce and deliver lesson plans with the support of a supervisor

DUTIES DURING CAMP

• Facilitate nature and outdoor adventure programming with campers.
• Put together lesson plans that are age appropriate and engaging
• Assist in daily maintenance and clean-up of activity space
• Advise the supervisor of equipment and supply needs.
• Create and maintain a learning environment for campers.
• Collaborate with other specialists and supervisors .
• Participate and help plan camp-wide special events.
• Assist with post camp clean up and shut down of all program spaces.
• Maintain positive working relationships with all staff, and work closely with counselor staff to ensure successful lessons/workshops
• Perform any other program or agency-related duties or special projects as directed by supervisor.

Status:

• Seasonal
• Mondays through Fridays, June 30 - August 15, 2025, including 40-45 hours of staff training in May and June

Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm during the summer

Salary Range: $4200 - $4725

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience with curriculum development
• Experience with teaching children, specifically in the area of nature and outdoor adventure.
• Excel at working collaboratively with others
• Sensitivity and commitment to diversity and inclusion

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other functions and responsibilities may change or may be assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

YM & YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

Salary:

Under $25,000

Agency Information:

Established in 1917 as one of the first Jewish community centers in New York City, the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood (the Y) is a thriving and visionary not-for-profit human services organization in Northern Manhattan. We welcome people of diverse ethnicities and all ages, from pre-school to older adults, into the Y family with a wide range of educational, recreational and social services and programs that focus on improving the quality of their lives. With a long and distinguished history, the Y is a multi-service community center that is well known for its nurturing environment and non-judgmental philosophy.