Riekes Nature Summer Camp Counselor 

Riekes Center for Human Enhancement (www.riekes.org)  

Job Description  

The Riekes Center nature department has been bringing youth and adults outside to experience  and learn about natural history, bushcraft and survival skills, wildlife tracking, bird language,  edible and medicinal plants, awareness skills, scout games, community and stewardship,  backpacking, and knowledge of place for over two decades. We are committed to helping  students achieve their goals in nature, and to providing the highest quality of nature instruction.  

We are currently hiring for summer camp counselors! The summer season is 11 weeks long, including a staff training week at the beginning of the summer. The season runs from June 2nd-August 15th, 2025. There are no camps the week of July 4th.

As a Riekes Nature summer camp counselor, you will work to safely lead activities, lessons,  skills projects, on and off-trail wanders, immersive experiences (such as getting fully  camouflaged with mud, or dunking in the creek), harvesting of natural materials, the safe use of  whittling knives and other tools, group songs, and group games. 

Working as a summer camp counselor, you will be considered a seasonal worker and will work under our Summer Camp Counselor Employee Contract. 

Qualifications and Expectations for a Riekes Summer Camp Counselor 

• Uphold the Riekes Center’s core values, mission, and policies  

• Creativity and passion for mentoring youth in a natural flow learning environment with  open and flexible structure  

• Current CPR certification (or able to acquire before working)  

• Able to travel to various summer camp locations using own vehicle  

• Minimum age of 18 

• Able to pass a background check  

• Must demonstrate good judgment and risk assessment  

• Strong ability to work as a contributing member of a team  

• Willing to participate in a healthy feedback culture  

• Be a professional adult: operate with responsibility, integrity, and humility

• Care about equity and diversity and creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all  

Preference will be given to applicants who have one or more of the following. This list  should not discourage anyone from applying. The most important qualities we are seeking  are passion, responsibility, and an earnest willingness to grow and learn:  

• Knowledge of California hazards, mammals, tracking, edible/medicinal plants, navigation  with and without map/compass, natural history, field ecology, trees, bushcraft and  survival skills, birds/birdsong/bird language, backpacking skills, and rural skills.  

• Experience as a naturalist instructor working with youth ages 4-17 in the outdoors  

• Is confident leading off-trail adventures and being hands-on with nature

• Plays a musical instrument or sings and is confident in and willing to lead youth in song  

• Has a passion for storytelling, engaging youth in improv, and leading large group games  

• Previous experience leading groups

Locations   

● Filoli Gardens, Woodside, CA 

● Huddart County Park, Woodside, CA

Work Hours  

● All summer camp days, except at Filoli,  run from 8:30am-3:30pm

• Filoli camps run from 9:00am-4:00pm
  
  

• On Fridays, a rotation of counselors will bring the supplies boxes back to the Riekes Center for restocking, and will also pick up the supplies boxes for the following week’s camp. 

Compensation 

● Camp counselors will be paid $24-$27 per hour based on experience.

Future Employment 

Based on the needs of the Riekes Nature department, it is possible that a summer camp counselor may be hired as a part-time or full-time instructor for our next school-year homeschool and youth programs. 

How to Apply  

Please send your cover letter, resume, and a few paragraphs telling us about yourself to  kpeters@riekes.org 

We are committed to responding to every applicant in a timely manner. We will respond within 5  business days to inform you of whether we would like to schedule an initial interview.