Seasonal Assistant Camp Director

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org.

Posting Information:

Salary/Hourly Rate: $20/hour 

Hours per week: 40 hours/week, Mondays-Fridays, 8:30AM-4:30PM, Fridays until 5PM, occasional weekend days/weeknights for training and camp administration 

Job Classification: Nonexempt, Seasonal 

Job Type: Onsite, deCordova 

Duration: May 19, 2025–August 22, 2025 

Location: deCordova, Lincoln, MA 

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact:

Are you someone who has a sense of fun and appreciation for complex logistics? Someone who values collaborative, interdisciplinary, place-based education and the intersections of art, nature, and science? Someone who is creative, open-minded, curious, and flexible, and has strong computer and management skills? This may be the role for you! 

THE HIVE, July 7-August 8, is designed for fifty-six campers ages 5-12 who are curious about the world around them and interested in exploring nature and contemporary artistic ideas through energizing and emergent collaborations culminating each week in large-scale installations in the Sculpture Park.   

SUMMER STUDIO FOR TEENS, June 30-July 3 and August 11-15, offers opportunities for small cohort of 13–16-year-olds to refine and expand artistic techniques, create meaningful connections, and develop confidence in their unique artistic voice.   

For more information about this summer’s exciting weekly themes and projects, please visit: deCordova Camps. 

The Role:

As the Assistant Camp Director, you will collaborate on management of The Hive and Summer Studio for Teens. You will support all aspects of camp, including curriculum, administration, supplies, and communications. 

Specifically, you’ll:

• Take the lead in setting up studio spaces before camp and breaking them down after camp  

• Support administrative tasks to help prepare for camp licensure and the start of each camp week  

• Support Instructors and Junior Instructors with content and logistics before and during camp  

• Take lead managing high school Junior Instructors (aged 15-18), including weekly Junior Instructor meetings  

• Ensure proper completion and documentation of administrative duties in preparation for the opening, running of, and closing camp   

• Ensure supplies are ordered, organized, and distributed to studios and supply area before, during, and after camp   

• Support individual camper behaviors and needs, sometimes requiring one-on-one supervision  

• Act as a Health Care Supervisor, along with the Camp Director, by coordinating and overseeing first aid and camper medications as necessary.   

• Be the substitute Camp Director, if needed 

• Communicate with camper parents as necessary 

This is a seasonal, nonexempt position working 40 hours/week reporting to the deCordova Camps Director.

Requirements

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• Obtained or working towards a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in education, art, the sciences, the humanities, or other relevant course of study. 

• Has or be willing to obtain camp director certification from ACA or equivalent organization (training is available). 

• Has or willing to obtain Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR certification; training provided if needed. 

• Able and willing to work across a 30-acre site both indoors and outside in all types of summer weather. 

• Able to lift 40 pounds. 

• Experience working on a team and working with children and families. 

• Experience managing high schoolers. 

• Strong organizational abilities with extreme attention to detail. 

• Ability to prioritize and to work both collaboratively and independently. 

• Effective communicator; strong interpersonal skills: helpful, calm, friendly demeanor. 

• Highly computer literate, including working with spreadsheets and camp management software. 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be 21 years old by the first day of camp 

• Full-time availability for camp staff training sessions (May/early June – dates TBD) and all weeks of camp (June 30-August 15), Mondays-Fridays, 8AM-4PM; plus time in May and late August to prepare for and breakdown camp  

• A valid driver’s license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy. 

• Current authorization to work in the United States by the first day of employment 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check  

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Have questions? Contact our People team at people@thetrustees.org!

Benefits

Your Benefits:

• Sick time: Mass Sick Leave Accrual 

• Trustees Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores, cafes, and on stays at our inns.  

• Museum Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admissions and memberships to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.