Nature Camp Director
Nature Camp Director: Call of the Wild Camps
Openings: Summer 2026 in Oakland and Berkeley
Do you love working with children and camp counselors? Are you an avid hiker with a love of nature and the outdoors? Do you care about the positive effects of vegan ethics on animals and the environment? Do you have a passion for children's books, reading, and writing? Are you skilled at supervising and leading camp counselors, novice educators, or recreation leaders? Do you care about creating an inclusive and fun environment for children of all abilities? How about combining your passions into one fun seasonal job? We are looking for an on-site Nature Camp Director to lead staff and children in outdoor Call of the Wild Camps in Oakland and Berkeley. We seek an enthusiastic, energetic, dynamic, and creative leader to join us in designing and implementing educational and recreational outdoor programs for seasonal camps. Open a door to the wonders of nature as a living classroom in nature camps, where kids in grades K-5 come to hike, read, write, explore, learn, and play!
Our ideal camp director:
You are a responsible, conscientious adult.
You are adaptable, friendly, outgoing, energetic, and eager to inspire and engage both children and camp counselors in learning by doing.
You care about science, the scientific method, facts, empiricism, reason, critical thinking, and objective reality.
You have experience supervising, training, and managing staff for outdoor camps, nature camps, elementary school education, outdoor education, nature education, environmental education, literacy education, after school programs, outdoor recreation, or 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 Behavioral Learning's mission is to empower people to live happier, more independent and fulfilling lives by achieving their health and educational 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:
Manage, administer, and oversee daily operations of youth programs on-site for outdoor nature camps in coordination with the camp supervisor
Reliably attend and actively participate in camp director and camp counselor training online and on-site, rain or shine
Create and oversee age-appropriate, grade-appropriate, K-5 level nature-themed science, outdoor education, language arts, art, and motor activities for Call of the Wild Camps, including the theme weeks Enchanted Forest Stories, Enchanted Forest Art, Enchanted Vegan, and Trailblazers
Create and facilitate fun and positive nature education curriculum on vegan topics such as animal rights, speciesism, health, food, clothing, and the environment
Reliably and punctually attend camp training and outdoor nature camp sessions, rain or shine
Supervise and train camp counselors on-site, providing modeling, prompt fading, positive feedback, and constructive feedback
Greet parents at drop-off and pick-up times, checking children in and out
Communicate with parents/guardians in a friendly and professional manner
Communicate with parents/guardians a brief summary of their child's day at pick-up time
Safely lead hikes in parks for K-5th graders in small groups up to approximately 6 miles per day
Maintain a 4:1 or 5:1 student: staff ratio or ratio approved by the camp supervisor
Lead outdoor language arts activities for children with nature and wilderness themes, including but not limited to circle time with story time and singing, literary show-and-tell, skits, nature journaling, mapmaking, creative writing, and authoring and illustrating books
Lead activities applying English Language Arts Common Core State Standards to science, such as life science, biology, ecology, zoology, environmental science, stewardship, conservation, preservation, etc., integrating naturalistic observation, exploration, games, group discussion, and relevant children's books and writing activities
Lead and oversee camp counselors engaging 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
Engage children and staff 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, including planning, organization, and time management
Implement teaching and behavior management based on principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA), including prompting, positive reinforcement, and group 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
Record accurate, objective incident reports
Follow all health and safety requirements, and make sure staff and campers follow them
Drive by personal vehicle during the work shift for emergency or safety-related situations or parent phone calls in a reception area as needed
Follow all seven leave no trace principles, and make sure staff and campers follow them
Follow directions and implement feedback from the camp supervisor
Proactively communicate camp updates, questions, and concerns with the camp supervisor
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:
Provide proof of a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as education, biology, environmental science, or recreation management
Provide your academic transcripts (unofficial transcripts are permitted); must be in good standing
Certification and Safety Requirements:
Proof of CPR and First Aid certification that remains unexpired through all camp 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 current COVID-19 vaccination obtained within 12 months of hire before hire
Pass a DOJ and FBI background check
Experience:
Minimum of 12 months experience as a director, assistant director, supervisor, or manager supervising staff who work with groups of elementary school age children in outdoor camps, educational camps, after school programs, or equivalent experience
Minimum of 12 months experience training camp counselors, novice educators, or recreational staff
Minimum of 12 months experience working in person with groups of children across the full range of K-5th grades, ages 5-10
Frequent, regular experience hiking, 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 students with widely diverse abilities, including disabilities (e.g., autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, dyslexia, speech and language delays)
Experience taking initiative leading staff who work in person with groups of children in grades K-5, ages 5-10
Experience overseeing and leading extracurricular enrichment activities in person for groups of elementary school age children
Experience overseeing, training, and implementing effective and appropriate behavior management in person for children in grades K-5, ages 5-10
Experience with child development and creating, selecting, overseeing, 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
Ability to confidently take initiative with minimal direction
Eco-conscious skills with a demonstrable love of nature and the outdoors, life sciences, biology, environmental science, outdoor education, or environmental education
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:
Provide proof of a valid California driver's license
Possess your own reliable vehicle and proof of auto insurance
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience hiking in Joaquin Miller Park, Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, Roberts Regional Recreation Area, and Tilden Regional Park and familiarity with their flora and fauna
You are vegan, as defined by The Vegan Society and as described on Inspire's website here: veganism
PERKS AND BENEFITS:
Have fun teaching and inspiring kids and novice educators 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 parks. Check the Call of the Wild Camps web pages for more information on all locations.
East Bay Summer Camps:
Berkeley: Tilden Regional Park and Tilden Nature Area
Oakland: Joaquin Miller Park, Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park, and Roberts Regional Recreation Area
SCHEDULE:
Training: before the start date of summer camp sessions
Summer Camps in Oakland and Berkeley: 8:25 AM-4:35 PM, Jun 1-Jul 17, Mon-Fri
CLASSIFICATION: Non-exempt employee for temporary, seasonal work
COMPENSATION: $25.00 - $27.00 per hour 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
APPLY: Click the link below to complete the application in the Google Form. Complete all application questions honestly and in your own words, and provide an accurate, up-to-date, relevant resume. We look forward to connecting with you! https://forms.gle/v8AtD9VfvhG6izueA
The application is also accessible from the company's website at https://www.inspirebehavior.com/apply-for-nature-camp-director-oakland-berkeley
Keywords: Oakland Camp Director, Oakland Camp Supervisor, Berkeley Camp Director, Berkeley Camp Supervisor, Oakland Camp Manager, Berkeley Camp Manager. This type of position may also be known as camp leader, camp teacher, camp instructor, camp coordinator, lead instructor, outdoor education instructor, summer camp nature instructor, outdoor programs instructor, outdoor education science instructor, naturalist, program coordinator, environmental educator, outdoor educator, outdoor program director, outdoor program supervisor, youth group leader, youth program supervisor, youth program instructor, youth programs lead instructor, program leader, program supervisor, lead camp counselor, elementary program leader, recreation leader, recreation director, recreation supervisor, summer instructor, summer program director, summer program supervisor, youth program director, and youth program supervisor.