Lead Summer Camp Counselor at National Audubon Society – Gibbon, Nebraska

Location: Gibbon, NE
Full time
Requisition ID: JR1081

About Audubon

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at www.audubon.org and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @audubonsociety.

Position Summary:

The Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary is seeking a passionate and energetic Lead Summer Camp Counselor for our summer nature day camps, known at Platte River Safari and Flying Higher camps. The Lead Counselor will work with children in grades 2-5 and 6-8 as they explore the Platte River landscape, including river channels, prairies, wetlands, and riparian woodlands across Rowe Sanctuary’s protected acres. They will oversee the daily activities of campers and will lead activities aligned with the camp’s specialized curriculum, fostering curiosity and a love for nature in a fully outdoor setting.

Platte River Safari and Flying Higher are both experiential-based conservation day camps. The program aims to engage children out on the land and the water to discover the great diversity of life beyond their backyards. By using local field sites and an interdisciplinary, experiential-based curriculum that leads to conservation action, Safari and Flying Higher Camps aim to create in the minds of our children a deeper appreciation for where we live.

The Lead Summer Camp Counselor is a key member of a collaborative camp team and will work closely with a Seasonal Educator, year-round Rowe Sanctuary staff, and volunteers serving as mentors and role models. This position will work with the Education Manager and Rowe’s Education staff to supervise youth and help lead and assist with games/activities at Audubon’s Rowe Sanctuary’s summer camp programs.

This is an hourly position reporting to the Education Manager. This position is classified as a seasonal/full-time on-site position based on-site at the Iain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary in Gibbon, Nebraska. The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week.

Camp runs for 4 weeks, June 1 – July 10. There are 5 days of paid professional development and naturalist training prior to the start of camp and a week of clean-up and camp de-brief after camps conclude.

Camp Schedule:

Training: June 8th-12th

Monday-Friday camp schedule is 8:00am – 4:30pm from June 15th-July 10th

Camp clean-up and debrief July 13th-17th

All camp staff will have 2 unpaid floating vacation days towards the end of the season to account for June 19th and July 3rd (observed July 4th).

Compensation:

$19.00 – $22.00 / hour

Essential Functions:

Attend camp training week led by professional Audubon Educators.

Ensure the safety, well-being, and active participation of all campers.

Actively guide campers during activities, transitions, and lunch/snack times.

Foster a positive, inclusive, and fun environment for campers of all backgrounds and abilities.

Assist in nature-based activities such as hikes, hands-on exploration, and team games.

Follow and enforce all camp policies, safety guidelines, and emergency procedures.

Address camper conflicts or behavioral challenges with patience, empathy, and appropriate strategies. Report all conflicts to the Education Manager.

Model respectful and positive behavior, setting the tone for an inclusive and welcoming camp culture.

Maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment.

Communicate effectively

Inform the Center Director and Programs Manager of any safety concerns, incidents, or supply needs promptly.

Assist with set-up and clean-up of daily activities, ensuring materials are well-maintained and organized.

Conduct headcounts and safety checks throughout the day, especially during transitions and off-site activities.

Share knowledge of local ecosystems with campers to encourage curiosity and environmental awareness.

Maintain Audubon’s facility and materials with daily cleaning and tidying at camp.

Qualifications and Experience:

Proven experience working with children in camp, education, or youth leadership settings.

Have a familiarity with environmental science, nature education, or outdoor recreation.

Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in varying terrain and weather conditions with or without accommodations.

Demonstrated group skills; ability to guide a group of up to 20 campers (with support).

Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with children, parents, and team members.

Love of outdoor exploration and questioning: ability to model curiosity and wonder about the natural world.

Must have a positive attitude and strong work ethic.

Must have experience working with children from ages 8-14.

Must have reliable transportation to and from our Audubon Center each day for work.

Must have the ability to traverse all major trails of the Audubon Center and on uneven terrain with or without reasonable accommodations.

Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

CPR and 1st Aid Certification are highly recommended.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic outlined by federal, state, or local laws. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates.

Accessibility Statement

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

The National Audubon Society is a leading nonprofit conservation organization with 120 years of science-based, community-driven impact, dedicated to protecting birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Birds are powerful indicators of our planet’s health, acting as sentinels that warn us of environmental change and inspire action. Audubon works across the Western Hemisphere, driven by the understanding that what is good for birds is good for the planet. Through a collaborative, bipartisan approach across habitats, borders, and the political spectrum, Audubon drives meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes. With 800 staff and over 1.9 million supporters, Audubon is a dynamic and ever-growing force committed to ensuring a better planet for both birds and people for generations to come. Learn more at