We are thrilled to announce that we are expanding our team for the summer season, and we want YOU to be a part of it!

Are you ready to be a part of an incredible team that embraces the beauty of Bend's summers, revels in the joy of the river, and share laughter with children under the warm sun? Can you keep the positivity flowing even in the midst of mosquito dance parties?

If you have a passion for teaching, a love for nature, and an enthusiasm for guiding kids through the wonders of the wilderness, we would love to have you join us!

This year, we would especially love teachers with a background in wilderness survival, edible/medicinal plants and/or primitive skills but this is not a prerequisite.

At Wildheart Nature School, we believe in the strength of diversity, and we celebrate the unique talents each team member brings to the table. Whether you are a song bird, storyteller, or plant enthusiast, we want to harness your skills to make a meaningful impact, especially with the children we guide.

Here's a snapshot of what you can expect:

Duration: Join us for six to nine weeks this summer.
Compensation: Post-training, the pay is $20/hour or more, depending on your skills, experience, and availability.
Community: Our team is a close-knit community of quality, integrity-filled humans who share a passion for teaching. The photo below is of our instructors at a team workshop, crafting rattles to use in our classes.
Beautiful Locations: Working outside in the summer is far superior to working inside! Join us at beautiful locations such as Skyliner Lodge, Tumalo State Park, Juniper Jungle Learning Farm, and other riverfront destinations.
Personal and Professional Growth: To foster a profound connection with nature, acquiring essential skills and hands-on experience is paramount. By joining the Wildheart community, you'll embark on a journey of personal and professional growth as a nature educator, primitive skills enthusiast, and a capable leader. A realm of possibilities will unfold, leading you towards a sense of completeness. This transformative experience will significantly enhance your ability to work effectively with children, elevating your professional capacity to new heights.
Crafts: Throughout the years, our educators craft remarkable items, including rattles, friction fire kits, survival kits, and various other handcrafted creations.

If you're ready to embark on a summer of adventure, growth, and making a difference in the lives of young explorers, we encourage you to check out the detailed opportunities available here.

Join us in creating memorable experiences for the next generation while enjoying the best that Bend summers have to offer! 

See Summer Camp Schedule and Themes: ------------/summer-camps/

Job Purpose: Supervise and instruct participants in Wildheart Nature School’s programs, develop curriculum, keep students engaged, be a strong leader, manage group safety, and parent/customer service. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Teach prescribed curricula for outdoor programs.
• Develop activities and change curricula to adapt to the uniqueness of each group.
• Ensure safety of participants at all times.
• Account for all participants during programs and during sign-in or sign-out periods.
• Respect and preserve outdoor and indoor teaching spaces for future users.
• Respect other users of common spaces to ensure Wildheart Nature School’s positive reputation in the community.
• Communicate with fellow lead instructors, interns, and assistants to make sure all group needs are taken care of.
• Treat participants with kindness, respect, and a firm enforcement of group rules/agreements.
• Administer guidance and discipline to students who need it.
• Communicate with Camp Directors about issues that arise during programs such as hazards or conflicts.
• Be punctual and self-managing.
• Have thoroughly reviewed Wildheart Nature School’s website and registration system to have an overall understanding of the program.
• Take photos of activities and send them to administrators with captions.
• Respond to emails and phone calls promptly.
• Be prepared to mentor other new instructors once you are oriented. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Availability:

Option 1: 

Must be available to teach or be the assistant coordinator for at least 6 weeks of Summer Camps and at least 10 days between Winter Break Camp, No School Nature Days and Spring Break Camp. 

Option 2: 

Must be available to teach or be assistant coordinator for all 9 weeks of the Summer Camp Season. 

Short Days: 8:30am-1:30pm + before class prep (approximately 1/2 hour) Monday-Friday, Tuesday-Thursday, or Monday-Thursday

Long Days: 8:30am-3:45pm + before class prep (approximately 1/2 hour) Monday-Friday, Tuesday-Thursday, or Monday-Thursday

Required Life Circumstances/Skills/Qualifications:

• Ability to confidently lead groups of up to 14 kids while outdoors.
• Previous teaching experience.
• Positive, extroverted, warm personality. 
• Must be able to carry a 20 pound backpack outdoors over uneven terrain for up to four miles.
• First Aid and CPR Certification required (can be obtained once we agree to work with you)
• A basic understanding of the philosophies and spirit of Wildheart education (Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature by Young, Haas, and McGown can be studied as an intro to our model)
• A willingness to work hard for something you are passionate about.
• Passionate desire to share nature with others.
• Intention to living in Central Oregon for the next 4 years OR traveling here each summer for the season for 4 years. Ideal but not required.

Additional Desired Skills:

Wild plant uses, tracking, primitive skills, survival skills, background in nature awareness, art skills, musical skills, storytelling skills, crafting skills, mindfulness facilitation skills, stealth and camouflage skills

Pay:

$20/Hour-$23/Hour Depending on Experience and Level of Availability
$19/Hour for First 20 Days Teaching as an Assistant Teacher
$15/Hour for Training Time 

During the training period, this comes out to $741 for a Long Day Camps and $527.25 for Short Day Camps

Once trained, this comes out to at least $780 per week for Long Day Camps and $555 per week for Short Day Camps

Apply: 

Send us your Resume, three references from supervisors, along with answers to the following questions. 

Questions: 

1. Why do you want to work for us? 

2. How well do you understand the industry of Early Childhood Education and children's summer camps? 

3. What are your hobbies? 

4. What positions of responsibility have you held? Give an example of when you have shown leadership. 

5. Why are you the best candidate for the job? 

6. What are your strengths/achievements/additional qualifications? 

7. Give examples of working as a team/problem solving abilities. 

8. What have you learnt from previous jobs/work experience? 

9. Give examples of when you have provided excellent customer service. 

10. Do you plan to live in Bend for the next 5 years of life or more? 

11. Do you have any physical ailments that would cause you to call in sick on a regular basis? 

12. How well are you able to maintain a positive attitude in unfavorable weather conditions? 

13. Do you see yourself ever starting your own education-focused business or organization? 

14. Do you see yourself ever wanting to run a nature class of your own? 

15. Do you have skills in any of the following arenas? 

• Wild plant uses
• Tracking
• Primitive skills
• Survival skills
• Nature awareness
• Art skills
• Musical skills
• Storytelling skills
• Crafting skills
• Mindfulness facilitation skills
• Stealth and camouflage skills
• Magick

16. Do you have experience in any Earth-based spiritual practices or traditions? If so, what are they? Have you or do you work with mentors in these arenas? If so, who are they? 

17. Are you a health freedom advocate? Explain why or why not. 

18. What do you think about masks and covid vaccinations? We ask because our organization did not enforce masks on staff or children even when the government was mandating us to. Should something like this happen again, we would need everyone on the team to be on the same page. 

19. Do you have experience with social justice work or anti-racism training and if so what is your current level of involvement with this work?