Job Title: Outdoor School Field Instructor
(Seasonal, Part time)
Department: YMCA Camp DeBoer
Reports To: Outdoor Education Director
Salary: $250/day, roughly 30 work days
SUMMARY
YMCA Camp DeBoer, located on the southeast shore of beautiful Lake of the Woods, is hiring
instructors for our 5th - 6th grade Spring 2026 Residential Outdoor School. Engage students’
connection to self, community, and nature through hands-on activities and explorations. All teaching
materials, curricula, and training will be provided.
All meals during student programming hours are included as well as some meals when at camp
during training; housing as needed. Sleep comfortably in a newer cabin with private bedroom
(possibly shared), and shared bath and kitchenette, likely with 1-3 fellow staff. Each work day starts
at 7:45am, and programming and clean up runs through to about 9pm. Field Instructors will most
often work two nights per week until 9pm. One additional night a week (during 4-day programs) will
end earlier or will include working either an evening program or a campfire. You will know your
season-long schedule at the beginning of the season. Regular breaks are available throughout the
day, and dining with students is often optional. We are aiming to fill roughly 30 work days. Dates
are April 20 – June 11, 2026 with occasional days off, and every Saturday and Sunday off. Date for
early onboarding for individuals participating in March classroom visits and North Mountain Park
programs is March 17, 2026. No mileage stipends or benefits are associated with this seasonal,
part-time position.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Deliver outdoor, standards-based, hands-on lessons in an engaging manner. During training
week and throughout the season, staff will have the opportunity to regularly add new tools to
their teaching toolbox that are based on National Association of Interpretation techniques and
the Oregon State University Outdoor School state-wide evaluation objectives.
• Assist in creating a culture of deep caring, and a sense of comfort and belonging for all
individuals, working from a social-emotional learning, trauma-informed, self-care, and mental-
behavioral resiliency-based lens, which will be included in staff training.
• Use campus-wide-consistent and exemplary classroom behavior-management tools while
supervising students. This will embrace our campus culture, create an environment that fosters
comfort, fun and safety, while showcasing the YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect, and
responsibility.
• Lead or assist in supporting student discussions, group challenges, activities, stories, games,
skits, and songs.
• Cultivate positive relationships and maintain effective communication with all individuals on
campus.
• Remain on schedule, and keep teaching materials as well as facilities neat, ready, and organized.
• Maintain a team-player attitude, a willingness to create and uphold a united front, an ability to
see what needs to be done, and professionalism in our efforts to both enjoy and consistently
improve our program.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience in environmental education or related field preferred.
• Demonstrated integrity, patience, adaptability, sense of humor, enthusiasm, and passion for
serving youth.
• Ability to openly and maturely communicate with others, compassionately connect with
students, and behave as an appropriate, positive role model.
• Availability for the dates above – feel free to make us aware of any conflicts in your
schedule; we have subs. Detailed season-long schedule will be available.
• Successfully pass a criminal background check.
• Current CPR certification.
• Positive attitude, and an ability to borrow or acquire proper gear to facilitate programming
for extended periods of time in all types of weather, including a reliable rain jacket, warm
layers of clothing, hats and boots. Camp T-shirt and/or hoodie will be provided as a uniform
for certain days.
• Reliable transportation to commute up and back to camp from home.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
• Ability to walk, run, stand, and sit for long periods of time.
• May be required to lift and/or carry items up to 50 lbs.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee
to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.