Day Camp Support Staff
Help kids from Homer and beyond connect with the ecosystems of Kachemak Bay, become better stewards, and develop a love for the natural world. Day Camp Support Staff will work with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies (CACS) Day Camp, based out of Homer. Participants in this camp are ~7-9 years old, and many are Homer locals. For 2026, Day Camp is anticipated to have 4-5 staff each week, collaboratively managing a cohort of 22 kids. Kids’ engagement and familiarity with Camp and staff can vary widely; some campers only attend one week through the whole summer, while others attend regularly to fill a childcare need.
Each week of Day Camp (Monday-Thursday) features a different nature-based theme (i.e. “Wild About Wildlife,” or “All About Water.”) Camp is equally focused on place-based and inquiry-based environmental exploration, social emotional learning, and campers’ sense of fun.
Day Camp starts and ends each day at the Wynn Nature Center—15 minutes from our office in Homer. The Day Camp staff will interact directly with participants, leading fun and educational activities. Activities take place at the Wynn, or include field trips to other nature preserves, the Homer Harbor/Spit, area beaches, local trails, and other field sites.
CACS is seeking a qualified individual to ensure campers have a successful camp experience by providing behavioral support. Social-emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs of children can be frequent or high. Support Staff will coordinate with other staff to adapt or modify programs to suit the needs and interests of campers. This person will work in small groups or one-on-one with campers to provide individualized support or accommodations. They will collaborate with all other Day Camp staff, the CACS Community Liaison, and campers’ families to monitor and address behavior needs and establish expectations for a positive learning environment. Our camps are generally inclusive of different abilities, with some limitations; for more information see our behavior support policy.
This position reports to the Day Camp Coordinator.
Position runs from May 26 – August 21, 2026 (end date negotiable).
Pay is $20/hour with shared housing provided ($23/hour without housing)
Core Duties:
Develop a positive rapport with camper(s).
Collaborate with other camp staff to promote a nature- and place-based approach to learning. Provide modifications to summer camp activities, as needed, to allow all campers to participate in the camp day. This could include altering activities, sitting out with a camper, providing emotional support, etc.
Share your love for nature and the outdoors with children.
Participate in staff training and daily and weekly debriefs with camp staff. Collaborate with the camp team on logistics and schedule planning to best support campers. Give and receive feedback to co-workers on how to best support youth.
Document provided support, accommodation, and behavior incidents.
Develop and ensure a safe, fun, and positive environment for all participants. Administer basic first aid.
Provide direct, immediate interventions during behavior escalations, including crisis management and therapeutic follow-up (restorative practices, conflict resolution etc.).
Additional Duties:
Serve alongside the Day Camp Coordinator to communicate with guardians and work alongside directors and bookkeeper to address any special challenges or needs that may arise.
Lead fun and educational activities if/when direct support is not needed.
Provide photos for social media and advertising and complete basic administrative tasks.
Provide transportation of the group in 12-passenger and/or 15-passenger vans.
We are a staff that works as a team and adapts to our communities’ needs; therefore this position may work on additional programs and duties as mutually agreed upon.
Training & Mentorship:
Required participation in paid training period in Homer and at the Peterson Bay Field Station at the start of the summer, which will include training on natural sciences, interpretation, and the cultures of Kachemak Bay. Additional opportunities may be offered throughout the summer for paid professional development in specific areas related to your work (such as social emotional learning, positive behavior supports, and/or culturally responsive education practices).
Qualifications:
First Aid/CPR Certification required. Youth Mental Health First Aid or comparable training (or willingness to obtain one prior to start date) required.
Demonstrated good judgment and risk management experience in dynamic outdoor and indoor settings. Willingness to learn on the job and adapt to changing circumstances (such as weather, group needs, etc.).
Experience identifying and meeting individual needs, and supporting children with challenging behaviors one-on-one and in large group settings. Maintain a positive and encouraging attitude towards all students' abilities and autonomy. Familiarity with Autism Spectrum Disorders, neurodiversity, social & emotional learning.
Maintain a positive and encouraging attitude towards all students' abilities and autonomy. Excellent communication skills for working with a range of youth.
Experience communicating with parents and caregivers in a manner that builds partnership and trust.
Awareness of or training in Trauma Informed teaching practices.
Flexibility, and willingness to learn on the job given the new nature of this role and the diverse needs of campers and factors such as weather.
Commitment to facilitating experiential, place-based, fun, outdoor, and inclusive experiences for youth.
Able to work in a highly collaborative environment, including skills giving and receiving timely feedback.
Valid drivers license preferred.
We’ve left our list of desired qualifications flexible in recognition of the many forms of knowledge and experience that can exist both within and outside of typical employment or academic pathways. If you are passionate about the work and think you could do it well, please apply!
Our application form will ask for a 1-page résumé, a 1-page cover letter describing your desire to work with Coastal Studies as an organization, and a short-answer question asking you to describe your interest in the specific position. If you have questions about our application process, please navigate back to our Employment page and explore the FAQ.
