Overview
ORGANIZATION
Sienna Ranch provides immersive nature programming, farm education and compelling outdoor experiences for youth pre-K to teen. Our program offerings include woodshop, natural building, archery, horseback riding, gardening, science, pottery, survival skills, naturalist skills and much more. Sienna Ranch is situated on a 21-acre family-owned ranch in Lafayette, CA.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Sienna Ranch Summer Camp Counselors are responsible for creatively adapting and delivering dynamic nature-based curriculum to small groups of youth age pre-K to teen. Camp sessions include themes such as farm/ranch animal interactions, survival skills, nature-based art and wild crafts, animal tracking, and hiking adventures. Additional activities include archery, pottery, woodshop, gardening, animal care, and wilderness skills. Counselors and campers will be fully immersed in “ranch life” including caring for our farm animals (goats, sheep, horses, ducks, chickens), learning about edible wild plants, and cooking from our garden.
Instructors will cultivate a sense of curiosity and discovery of the natural world through inquiry-based teaching, hands-on lessons, animal interactions, and nature exploration. Instructors model enthusiasm for all aspects of nature and weather conditions and consistently incorporate themes of stewardship, gratitude, and wonder.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Teach nature camps according to the key program values and curriculum overview
Independently manage groups of 8-10 students, facilitating group games, arts and craft activities, cooking, and nature skills
Maintain prompt and professional email communication with Ranch administration, proactively communicating any issues which may arise
Lead summer camp activities as designated by Sienna Ranch Directors
Take responsibility for the safety, education and happiness of all participants in your camp
Encourage respect between participants, as well as respect for the Ranch animals, equipment, and facilities
Ensure appropriate and safe behavior for all participants, utilizing the Sienna Ranch Parent/Guardian Report system when necessary
Demonstrate impeccable time management and reliably arrive to classes on time as well as prep before classes, clean up afterwards, and care for equipment, supplies and facilities.
Confidently hike on uneven or undeveloped terrain with groups of children, finding and following nature mysteries, and facilitating unstructured nature exploration
Required Skills:
REQUIREMENTS
At least 1 year experience in outdoor education or related field
Must be 18 years or older
A sincere passion for connecting children to nature, mentoring young people, and working with youth outside in all weather
Ability to improvise, be creative, proactive and flexible, with a strong back pocket of nature games and activities
Thrive in professional environment with minimal supervision
Ability to lead curriculum, activities, games and projects as assigned, and to follow a strict daily timetab
About Sienna Ranch
Sienna Ranch connects youth to nature through compelling outdoor experiences in order to foster a compassionate and environmentally aware future. We provide farm education and immersive nature programming to youth PreK-9th grade. Our program offerings also include woodshop, natural building, archery, horseback riding, gardening, science, pottery, survival skills, homesteading skills, naturalist skills and much more. Sienna Ranch is situated on a 21-acre family-owned ranch in Lafayette, CA.
Sienna Ranch is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic team committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. We strongly encourage applications from people of color and other groups traditionally underrepresented in outdoor education. We are an equal opportunity employer.
