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. 

• Experi