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A
Job To Love
It’s a gorgeous summer day and
you’re leading a group of twenty
children on a hike through a dense forest.
You’ve just taught them a brief
lesson about the types of butterflies
that live in the area. Now they’re
running through the woods trying to
spot the butterflies you’ve just
described. Much of the knowledge you
pass on to the children comes from your
grandfather. It’s a great feeling
to be a role model for these youngsters,
and you know your grandfather would
be proud that you are passing on your
knowledge of the natural world.
Science
camp co-ordinators develop and
run programs designed to help youth
understand and appreciate the natural
world. They’re energetic, well
organized, and motivated people who
have a lot of patience. Science camp
co-ordinators work independently and
as part of a team. They work indoors
to plan programs and do administrative
work. Then the camp begins and they
work both indoors and outdoors. Some
camps are overnight camps and co-ordinators
might spend weeks in the wilderness.
Other camps are day camps where the
kids go home for the evenings. Many
Aboriginal camp co-ordinators are
able to live and work where they grew
up, where they can teach others about
western and scientific knowledge.
While
working with children can be a lot
of fun, it can also be exhausting.
Kids often misbehave and much of your
time may be spent trying to keep everything
under control. Don’t expect regular
hours as a camp co-ordinator either.
You will be expected to work long
hours and weekends, and overnight
camping trips are common. Then again,
you might work best in these situations
and have as much fun as your campers.
Job
Description
Science camp co-ordinators are responsible
for all aspects of camp programming.
One moment you could teach an interactive
lesson to the kids and the next you
might be in the kitchen preparing them
dinner. You’ll need to know a lot
about science and the natural world,
because you’ll be developing lesson
plans and programs. Camp co-ordinators
spend a lot of time with children, so
you’ll need to be understanding,
patient, and energetic. Many science
camp co-ordinators are self-employed,
while others work for government agencies,
libraries, schools, heritage centres,
and other recreational institutions.
Job
Duties
- Develop
education programs
Create exhibits of information based
on the programs
- Write
weekly lesson plans
- Supervise
youth
- Complete
camp administration work
- Organize
field groups and conduct research
- Arrange
for overnight camping and field
trips
- Train
and supervise junior staff members
- Develop
and teach special interest classes
- Work
with budgeting and finance
Fact
Here’s something a science camp
coordinator could tell you: It’s
a myth that shutting off and restarting
your engine uses more gas than if
you let it idle; ten seconds of idling
uses more fuel than restarting your
engine.
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High
school courses that will prepare you
for a job as a science camp co-ordinator
include outdoor recreation, physical
education, math, English, biology, chemistry,
and physics. Aboriginal studies, history,
and languages will prepare you for working
in a multi-cultural setting. Talk to
your career or academic counsellor about
options such as arts, music, and business.
The
minimum education requirement for
this job is a high school diploma.
A bachelor’s degree or diploma
certificate in a related field such
as outdoor recreation, sciences, education
or childhood education is usually
required. Advanced degrees will make
you more competitive in the job market
and make it easier for you to get
a job and negotiate your salary.
Before
entering the workforce, some science
camp co-ordinators require training
in:
- First
Aid and CPR
- Teaching
- Child
management
- Conflict
management
Look
into specific high school prerequisites
set by the college or university you
would like to attend.
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Science
camp co-ordinators with a high school
diploma make an average of $12,000.00
per year.
Science
camp co-ordinators with a college
diploma make an average of $24,000.00
per year.
Science
camp co-ordinators with a university
degree make an average of $40,000.00
per year.
Science
camp co-ordinators with several years
experience and education make an average
of $52,000.00 per year.
Financial
Assistance
In addition to the general scholarship
tips listed in the BUILD MY CAREER
section, the following awards are
specific to science camp co-ordinators:
Applied
Arts - Recreation and Leisure Services
$1000.00 awarded by Humber College
to a student in the Recreation and
Leisure Service program who has achieved
a minimum 80 per cent average in the
final two semesters of secondary school
or equivalent.
Contact: Mrs. Holsee Sahid,
Financial Aid Officer
Financial Aid Office
205 Humber College Boulevard
Etobicoke, Ontario
M9W 5L7
Telephone: (416) 675-6622, ext 4052
Fax: (416) 675-1002
email: holsee.sahid@humber.ca
website: www.humber.ca/myfuture
Ian
S. Reid Recreation Administration
Scholarship
$250.00 for a student entering or
in his or her second or third year
in Recreation Studies at Red Deer
College.
Contact: Financial Aid &
Awards Office
Red Deer College
Box 5005
Red Deer, Alberta
T4N 5H5
Telephone: (403) 342-3254
Fax: (403) 342-3262
email: financialaid@rdc.ab.ca
website: www.rdc.ab.ca
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Some
of the best knowledge you’ll
gain for this job will come from listening
to the stories and wisdom of your
relations. Listen to what your Elders
have to say about preserving the natural
environment. Any traditional knowledge
they pass on to you, you can pass
on to others. Go on camping trips
with your family and friends. A strong
understanding of the natural world
is an asset for a science camp co-ordinator
and will impress employers.
Relate to people in similar jobs:
- University
professor
- High
school science teacher
- Ecotourism
guide
- Environmental
trainer
Relate
and interact with science camp co-ordinators.
Ask them what they like about their
job and how you should get started.
Canadian Association of Science
Centres / L’association canadienne
des centres de sciences
100 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, ON
P3E 5S9
Telephone: (705) 522-3701, ext. 296
Fax: (705) 522-4954
email: ross@sciencenorth.ca
website: www.canadiansciencecentres.ca
Canadian
Camping Association / L’association
des camps du Canada
Box 74030
Edmonton, AB
T5K 2S7
Toll Free: 1-877-427-6958
Telephone: (780) 427-6695
email: ccamping@hotmail.com
email: abcamp@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca
website: www.kidscamps.com/canadian-camping
Relate
to other students. Most universities
have Aboriginal student associations
and resource centres. Visit these
centres to find out what they have
to offer. Also look into community
centres, friendship centres, and multi-cultural
centres.
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