Seasonal Art and Nature Camp Instructor

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 

Hours per week: 40 hours/week, Mondays-Fridays, 9:00AM-4:00PM (Wednesdays until 5PM and Fridays until 5:30PM)

Job Classification: Nonexempt, Seasonal/Limited 

Job Type: Onsite 

Duration: Mid-June-August 15, 2025

Location: deCordova Sculpture Park, Lincoln, MA 

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact:

Are you ready to imagine, play and enthusiastically foster an inclusive collective of makers? Are you an artist, educator, tinkerer, or maker who thrives thinking outside the box and relishes the freedom to explore materials and ideas?

The summer camps at deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, MA are process/maker focused and inspired by the 30-acre Sculpture Park, nature on campus, and each participant’s unique interests and imagination. 

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 a Seasonal Art and Nature Camp Instructor, you could be part of The Hive, Summer Studio for Teens, or both. Both camps channel inspiration from art on view and the natural landscape, while authentically connecting with colleagues, campers, and families. The Hive is highly collaborative with all sixty campers working toward a dynamic installation in the Sculpture Park that follows each week’s theme.

Pre-camp training sessions provide opportunities for readings & reflection, a Park and Studio tour, guidance and support on best practices to successfully meet the behavioral, intellectual, and safety needs of campers. Instructors are further responsible for working both individually and in collaboration with each other leading up to camp to develop curriculum and the initial concept design based on each week’s theme. This includes artist, exhibition, theme, and material research, lesson and project planning, remote and/or in-person team meetings, and studio set up. Hourly compensation covers all time spent during trainings, meetings, preparation, instruction, set up, and clean up.

Instructors are responsible for a group of 10-14 campers. Hive Instructors mentor a high school age Junior Instructor, their group’s assistant.

Specifically, you’ll:

• Research and develop curriculum in connection with exhibited artworks and the Hive weekly themes to prepare for an emergent curriculum approach to eliciting campers’ interests.
• Implement lessons and extended projects designed to encourage campers to investigate, discover, express themselves, and work together while immersed in art and nature to generate collaborative large-scale park installations
• Be comfortable and facile in working with and modeling both traditional and unconventional art-making materials
• Collectively establish group agreements that ensure respect, inclusivity, and connection for all campers.
• Observe and regularly evaluate social/emotional/intellectual needs of campers to ensure  participation, growth, and belonging.
• Work with Camp Director and Camp Behavior Specialist as needed to support campers.
• Supervise and mentor Junior Instructors (aged 15-18)
• Directly supervise and manage the safety and well-being of campers 
• Communicate on-site with parents around camper safety, discipline, interests, passions, and needs.

This is a seasonal nonexempt position working 40 hours per week reporting directly to the deCordova Camps Director. 

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• A bachelor's degree in education, art, the sciences, the humanities, or other relevant course of study is required; graduate work in art and/or education a plus
• At least 3 years of experience working as an art educator, classroom teacher, or informal educator with ages 5-16
• A special interest in collaborative, interdisciplinary, place-based, progressive education and the intersections of art, nature, and science
• The physical and mental wherewithal to teach indoors, outdoors, and in the Sculpture Park setting in all summer weather conditions
• Hold or willing to obtain Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR certification; training provided if needed
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be 18+ years of age by the time camp starts
• Full availability for camp staff training in June (dates TBD) and assigned camp weeks, Mondays-Fridays, 9:00AM-4:00PM (Wednesdays until 5:00 and Fridays until 5:30)
• Current authorization to work in the United States by the first day of employment.
• A valid driver's license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in the Trustees' driving policy.
• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Have questions? Contact our People team at people@thetrustees.org!

Your Benefits:

• Sick time: Mass Sick Leave 

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.  

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.