Seasonal Early Childhood Camp Educator Counselor

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: $19/hour 

Housing: NOTE: For those applying from off the island, please note that we do not have staff housing available. Since rental properties on the island can be difficult to come by in summer, The FARM Institute (TFI) staff acts as liaisons to aid in locating and securing summer rentals. However, securing housing is ultimately the responsibility of the employee.  

Hours per week:

• Camp Sprouts Instructor: 25 hours/week, Mondays-Thursdays 8:30AM–1:00PM, Friday 8:30AM–3:30 PM 

• Wee Farmers Instructor:18 hours/week, Tuesdays-Fridays, 8:30AM–1:00PM 

Job Classification: Nonexempt, seasonal 

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: June 9–August 22, 2025 

Location: Edgartown, The FARM Institute, Martha’s Vineyard, MA

A cover letter is mandatory for your application!

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact:

Are you passionate about farms, local food, the environment, and sustainable agricultural practices? Are you interested in sharing your knowledge and interests with young children and their families?

The Farm Institute’s Farm Camp (ages 4-13) and Wee Farmers (ages 2-4) creates a safe, accessible, fun, inclusive, and enriching educational environments for all young campers and families to engage in authentic farm activities. Through daily barnyard and garden chores, projects, and games, our participants make real-life connections that strengthen their connection to the food we eat and the land that sustains us.

NOTE: This description is for two similar summer camp roles: Sprouts Instructor and Wee Farmer Instructor. Please note the differences listed in each section and specify which role you are applying for in your cover letter. 

For more information about our camp, please visit Trustees Camps. 

The Role:

As a Camp Educator (also referred to as Farm-Based Educators or FBEs), you are the backbone of camper experiences and hold an important place in this special work, as camp is a unique environment for children to develop their sense of self, form social bonds, explore their interests, learn, and have fun. You will work both collaboratively with your fellow staff as well as independently with your own camper group while improving your teaching, organizational, and leadership skills. Daily routines include educational activities, games, and chores in the garden, barn, and pastures; learning about local food production, sustainability, and ecology; arts and crafts making; and free play. Development of programming complements pre-planned lessons that give you a launching point. Two weeks of paid collaborative training prepare our staff for this complex, challenging, and rewarding work. 

Specifically, you’ll:

• Support the wellbeing and learning of self, campers, and fellow staff. 

• Design and implement curriculum based on food, farming, and resource management with support from The FARM Institute’s staff. 

• Meet periodically with Camp Director and Assistant Camp Director to evaluate experience and performance. 

• Sprouts Instructor: 

• Lead a group of 4-year-old campers daily. 

• Manage Farm-Based Educators in Training (CITs, aged 14-17) as part of your group. 

• Plan daily developmentally appropriate activities and design weekly farm projects. 

• Lead plant and animal farm chores in the Friendship Garden and pastures; support fellow staff in the use and maintenance of spaces. 

• Maintain reflection and planning worksheets. 

• Communicate with parents regarding camp questions, basic camper information, and farm awareness. 

• Perform daily facility chores and lead daily classroom cleanup. 

• Wee Farmer Instructor: 

• Lead a group of parent and child participants, ages 2-4, for 90-minute farm programs twice weekly. 

This is a seasonal, nonexempt position, working 18 - 25 hours/week reporting directly to the Islands Education Manager/Camp Director.

Requirements

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• Required: 

• Must be 18+ years of age by the start of camp. 

• Full availability for camp staff training and all weeks of camp, June 9–August 22. 

• Extra work hours are required for Meals in the Meadow, our annual farm to table fundraiser on Saturday, July 12th. 

• Experience working as a camp counselor, classroom teacher, or informal educator with children ages 2-4  

• Knowledge of or interest in farm-based education, food, and sustainability; a willingness to learn. 

• A desire to share your passion for the natural world with children from diverse backgrounds. 

• The ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions. 

• Reliable transportation to work each day. 

• The ability to lift 50 pounds. 

• CPR and Basic First Aid certifications are required; an on-site training option will be provided. 
• Preferred: 
• Holding or working toward a Bachelor's degree in environmental or agricultural education, the sciences, education, nutrition, or other relevant course of study. 
• Skills in gardening, cooking, livestock handling, environmental education, or fiber arts. 
• This position will fulfill internship credits for relevant majors.  

Eligibility Criteria:

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment. 

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check. 

• Proof of physical exam within 18 months and required immunizations, as mandated by Massachusetts Camp Regulations. 

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 admission and membership 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.