Interested in environmental education, wilderness skills, and working with children? Join Audubon Vermont's summer team as a counselor-in-training!

Counselors-in-training (CITs) work alongside our camp staff—experienced naturalists and educators—to deliver high-quality, hands-on environmental education and activities for campers ages 3-12. The program is structured to give CITs the opportunity to explore their interests in outdoor education and conservation, while also building the skills and experience to launch them towards their next education or career opportunities. We hope our CITs will become the next generation of Audubon camp counselors, naturalist educators, and conservation biologists!

CITs will work at both of our camps, Preschool Nature Camp and Ecology Day Camp.

Preschool Nature Camp: Preschool Nature Camp offers a full-day or half-day of outdoor play and exploration for campers 3 to 5 years old. The day is filled with stories, scavenger hunts, crafting, nature walks, puppet shows, games, and full-sensory immersion in the natural world. This camp is run out of our Education Barn located next to our office. New this year: We will have Kindergarten-aged campers separate from Pre-K campers for developmentally appropriate adventures each morning. We will come back as a large group at lunch and spend the rest of the day together.

Ecology Day Camp: These full-day programs that have campers running wild around the forests, brooks, and ponds of the Green Mountain Audubon Center. Each week of camp focuses on a different theme, but all campers will get a chance to search for wildlife, make crafts, go on hikes, and hone their nature awareness skills while exploring the most magical places at Audubon. Campers age 6 to 12 depending on the week. This camp runs out of our Clubhouse located on the lower half of our property.

CITs will work 8am-4:30pm with a 30-minute break. This position pays a $500 scholarship per CIT (upon completion) thanks to generous support from Green Mountain Bird Alliance.
Who Should Apply?

CIT positions are open to high school students 14 to 18 years old. An ideal candidate for this position is available Monday-Friday for consecutive weeks of the summer, see sessions below:

- CIT Session One: June 29-July 24
- CIT Session Two: July 27-August 14

CITs must be available for a 5-day orientation/leadership camp from June 22-26, 9:30am-2:30pm. This is when we will cover safety protocols, get to know other CITs and camp staff, practice activities and games, learn the trails of Audubon, shadow camp staff, and more!

Note: You should still apply as long as you are able to work at least two-consecutive weeks.
Commitment and Expectations

CITs will...
  • Commit to the full schedule of the program.
  • Serve as a role model to young campers.
  • Fully engage in lessons, clean up, and other camp-related activities.
  • Demonstrate a respect for nature and non-human beings.
  • Arrive on time and prepared for our day.
  • Be communicative about their needs.
  • Receive and apply feedback as needed.
  • Under supervision, lead camp activities and programs for which your skills, interests, and training qualify you.
  • Be able to walk up to 5 miles and be outdoors in summer weather with reasonable accommodation.
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until positions are filled.
If you've read through this information and feel like this program is the right fit for you, great! Please continue and submit your Application. Please reach out to our Youth Conservation Leadership Coordinator, Sarah Hooghuis (sarah.hooghuis@audubon.org) with any questions you may have.

We encourage the CIT applicant to correspond with us themselves rather than their parent or guardian to start practicing professional communication.

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