Open Air Classroom Educator

Join the team at Tanglewood and Blueberry Cove, where the beauty of coastal Maine meets supportive camp communities. We seek talented and curious individuals to join our team. Whether you’re an educator leading a group of students on a forest exploration or a camp counselor facilitating friend-making with a new team-building activity, you’ll play a vital role in creating unforgettable experiences. Here, you grow personally and professionally while contributing to and being part of something meaningful and life-changing. Share your skills, passions, and ideas with us, and let’s make the incredible happen! For more information, visit our website at umaine.edu/tanglewood or email us at [email protected]

Job Overview

Looking for a job that combines teaching, adventure, and the outdoors? Spend your season at Tanglewood 4-H Learning Center, leading youth in environmental education, canoe trips, campfires, and community building. You’ll gain real-world experience, build leadership skills, and make lasting memories all while working in one of Maine’s most beautiful outdoor classrooms.

This is a full-time position, April 13, 2026 – October 23, 2026, as part of a team of educators. Outdoor Educators lead and support environmental and outdoor learning programs for youth at Tanglewood 4-H Camp. The role combines teaching, adventure, and leadership to help students explore nature, develop confidence, and strengthen teamwork skills in a supportive outdoor setting. We seek staff to join us for the entire program season from mid-April through late October, but we are open to discussing shorter one-season options or seasonal combinations. Specific role determinations will be made as part of the hiring process and through discussions based on your skills, interests, and abilities. Stipend is $15,000 – $15,750 for about 30 weeks, including paid training, paid in bi-weekly installments. We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.

Responsibilities:

Spring and Fall Appointments: 

• You will help develop program sequences and teach hands-on, ecology, STEM, group building, and outdoor skills-based lessons to grades K-12 for the day, overnight, and after-school programs based on our curriculum, weaving in elements of your past working experience 
• You will deliver programs in schools and at multiple sites, including our learning centers in Lincolnville and Tenants Harbor, ME (some travel is required)
• You will need to work independently and with staff to develop and maintain teaching resources.
• You will need to participate actively in staff training, ongoing professional development, and daily staff meetings to plan and evaluate programs.
• You will take part in routine tasks of cleaning and kitchen duties, gardening, general camp chores, and upkeep of program spaces to support the staff community..
• You can demonstrate responsible and safe decision-making skills in all aspects of outdoor programming.
• You will need to transport students in University vans to program sites
• You can foster interpersonal relationships that reflect courtesy, civility, and mutual respect
• You are responsible for assisting with some meal preparation and clean-up
• You may have additional duties that may be assigned or reassigned based on camp needs 

Additional Summer Responsibilities: 

• You may design and co-coordinate, implement, and evaluate hands-on lessons for youth in a week-long program model  (8-12 youth per group, 1:8 ratio max).  
• You may co-lead outdoor leadership/trip programs for teenagers, each lasting 1, 2, or 3 weeks, which include exciting 3-6 day camping, hiking, and canoeing trips (note that some weekend work will be required during the program sessions).
• You will plan and carry out camp activities such as afternoon elective programming (teaching 1 lesson per day), special events, opening and closing ceremonies, evening programs, campfires, etc.
• You may plan lessons and schedules, implementing programming that covers a variety of skills such as listening, communication, team-building, low-impact camping, conflict resolution, canoe safety, canoeing skills, map and compass navigation, general ecology, personal health and safety, and knot-tying.
• You may live in a cabin with campers and, along with a co-counselor, create the necessary atmosphere for a safe and positive camp experience (staff/camper ratio = 1:4-8).

Special Benefits

• Rustic and Shared Housing with kitchen facilities
• Meals when overnight programs are in session
• Option for certification in first aid/CPR, wilderness first aid, 4-H archery, and/or lifeguarding 
• Internet access

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications:
Required:

• You have a High school diploma or equivalent.
• You have a valid US driver’s license and are eligible to be authorized and approved as a university driver based on the Driver Administration Policy.
• This camp is licensed by the State of Maine. You must meet the State of Maine requirement for driving vehicles, "Drivers of vehicles carrying campers must be at least 21 years of age and be approved by the camp’s auto liability insurer’s agent."

Preferred: 

• You hold a certification:
  • Basic First Aid/CPR
  • Lifeguard Certification
  • Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or First Responder (WFR) Certification
  • Small Craft Water Safety Certification
• You have experiential education experience with youth, preferably in an outdoor setting
• You know ecological concepts and natural history
• With or without accommodation, you can lead groups outdoors over various terrains with 35+ lbs. packs for extended days and the ability to assist in carrying canoes (85 lb.) with others in a variety of weather conditions.
• You demonstrate responsible and safe decision-making skills, ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience during programming.
• You have a genuine motivation to work with children of all ages in a vibrant, high-energy outdoor setting where every day is an adventure.
• Degree in environmental science, education, adventure education, childcare, or a willingness to learn and self-teach new skills
• Experience facilitating team-building initiatives, as well as course activities
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions while managing the needs of all participants