Outdoor Education Instructor

YMCA Camp Grady Spruce

Hike, Boat, and Horseback Ride with 5th Graders at Possum Kingdom Lake!

Located about 90 miles west of DFW on the shores of Possum Kingdom Lake. PK Lake is one of the clearest lakes in Texas and is known for its dramatic cliffs, rolling hillsides, and abundant wildlife.

Seasonal
Posted: Nov 22, 2024

Outdoor Education Instructor

Location
Graford, Texas
Wages/Pay
$375.00 - $425.00 / week
Experience Level
No experience required
Job Start Date
Job Starts: Jan 06, 2025

Are you a passionate educator looking to guide students from the DFW Metroplex through outdoor adventures? This is the position for you! YMCA Camp Grady Spruce is looking for Outdoor Education Instructors for the 2024 – 2025 school year.

Established in 1989, the Outdoor Education program at YMCA Camp Grady Spruce is devoted to helping teachers educate students about the interrelationship and interdependence between man and the environment. The OE Program operates during the school year and is primarily focused on the curriculum of 5th grade students. We offer outdoor education experiences ranging from one to five days in length. The information is taught utilizing the staff’s expertise and the natural setting has been carefully aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. Students learn responsibility and develop an appreciation of diversity in nature and within each other.

If you would like to apply to work as an Outdoor Education Instructor for the 2024-2025 school year, please contact the Outdoor Education Director, Mia Loftis. 

Compensation

  • $375 - $425 per week (including training).

  • Most meals provided on workdays.

  • Included private room and board for the duration of employment valued at $500 a month.

  • Each OE instructor’s room is furnished with a bed, dresser, and desk.

Responsibilities

  • Hours: OE Instructors should expect to work about 50-60 hours per week. Our workdays often span entire days and have break times interspersed. The work weeks run from Monday morning to Friday afternoon, with most Fridays ending in staff development training.

  • Expectations: Staff members lead educational hikes that are based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) to primarily 5th-grade school groups staying for 1-5 days at camp. During staff training, we will cover the curriculum for each trail and mentor OE Instructors on how to deliver them effectively and build rapport with the visiting students.

  • Daytime Programs: Our daytime programs are broken into 2.5 to 3-hour teaching blocks. During these blocks, OE Instructors carry out different hikes, including climbing Johnson’s Peak (elevation 1352 ft), traveling by boat to Devil’s Island, team building in Project Adventure, building shelters or fires in Outdoor Living Skills, or guiding students on horseback trail rides.

  • Evening Programs: Starting after dinner, this 2-hour block includes activities like a guided planetarium activity, night hikes, catapult building, and campfire (bring your guitar, favorite songs, and skits).

  • Meals: You will be expected to lead 3-5 meals per week depending on the schedule. Working a meal includes teaching students the rules of the dining hall, showing the student “hoppers” how to set up tables, program announcements, reporting on food waste, sitting with the students and dismissing guests.

Other Requirements and Responsibilities:

  • This position is very active. You will be hiking long distances, tending to compost, and saddling horses. You must be able to perform these job functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

  • There are opportunities to work with family and scout groups on the weekends. This is voluntary and is a great way for naturalists to earn extra cash.

  • You are expected to work from the beginning of the employment dates until late May. Time off during the week or weeks must be addressed with the Outdoor Education Director on a case-by-case basis. Leaving early from the position is not possible (except in extreme situations).

Job Requirements

  • Experience working with children

  • Must be at least 18 

  • Current driver's license

  • Ability to obtain CPR/First Aid Certification upon hire

  • Must be able to commit to entire contract dates

Living at YMCA Camp Grady Spruce:
Located about 90 miles west of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex on 535 acres on the shores of beautiful Possum Kingdom Lake in North Central Texas. PK Lake is one of the clearest lakes in Texas and is known for its dramatic cliffs and beautiful, rolling hillsides. Common outdoor activities include boating, diving, swimming, fishing, and hiking. Camp is home to an abundance of wildlife, and it is common to see white-tailed deer, bobcats, and roadrunners along the trails.

How to Apply

Apply online via the link below. 

Apply Now

Contact Info

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