Program Naturalist

Live and work in the Sonoma Coast Redwoods delivering a cutting-edge science curriculum, illuminating the divine in all things—and changing lives!

Caritas Creek at CCCYO Camp is a comprehensive, 5-day residential environmental education experience for students in the 5th-8th grades. The program offers a blend of age-appropriate science curriculum aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and retreat style activities fostering social, spiritual, and academic development for youth from diverse backgrounds. During the week, students are exposed to a series of themes, hikes, activities and lessons designed to promote learning, awareness and character development on multiple levels: personal, social, environmental and spiritual.

One of the unique aspects of the program is the faith-based community building experience of Caritas, where the focus is placed on recognizing the individual's unique gifts and strengths. Through hands-on exploration, Caritas endeavors to illuminate the divine in all things and build empathy and understanding for the natural world.

Program Naturalist Duties:
• Live and work in the Redwood Forest of west Sonoma county in a community of 20 fun-loving individuals dedicated to holistic education, making a difference in kid's lives and changing the world.
• Deliver an innovative science-based curriculum developed by the BEETLES Program of the Lawrence Hall of Science: research-based, field tested and aligned with Next Generation Science Standards.
• Spend each week with your own Exploration Group of 11-13 students facilitating an experience that deepens their connection to self, others, nature and God (or spirit of love or source energy or universe or insert name that suits you here!).

A Typical Day
Program Naturalists begin each work day at an 8:45am meeting with their colleagues to plan the route they will take through the camp's 215-acre redwood forest. They create their own lesson plans—deciding when and where to deliver science, team building, spiritual and social/emotional curriculum provided by the program. After they pick up their exploration group of 11-13 students at the main lodge, they disappear into the forest to explore and learn until they return to main camp at 2:30pm. For the remainder of the afternoon, Naturalists that are on duty run electives such as archery, canoeing, arts and crafts or Gaga ball (a dodge ball game played in a mud pit!). Night time activities include small group sharing sessions called Serendipities (a flashlight-less night hike), campfire and an all-camp celebration.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in education, environmental studies, geography, biology, psychology, sociology, or related disciplines (or comparable and amazing life experience)
• Experience in working with children ages 10-14 (experience working with children from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds helpful)
• Ability to support and deliver academic, social and spiritual goals
• Current certification in CPR/first aid (can arrange for certification).