Woodworking Program Specialist - Paid Summer Internship

Looking for a paid summer internship that transforms the lives of young people?

If you have a passion for hands-on creativity, teaching woodworking skills, and building meaningful connections in a beautiful outdoor setting, this is the opportunity for you!

About Us:

Camp Starfish is on a mission to create a transformative summer experience for children with emotional, learning, and behavioral challenges. As a Woodworking Program Specialist, you’ll help campers discover the joy of woodworking, fostering creativity, patience, and teamwork in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Responsibilities:

• Plan and lead woodworking sessions where campers create projects such as birdhouses, picture frames, or mini airplanes.
• Teach campers basic woodworking skills, including the safe use of tools like hammers, saws, and sanders.
• Emphasize the importance of safety, craftsmanship, and creativity in every project.
• Live alongside youth campers in a cabin, providing 24-hour supervision and helping them adjust to camp life and group living.
• Create a physically and emotionally safe environment during woodworking activities and other camp experiences.
• Foster campers' self-esteem, personal growth, and goal-setting through hands-on activities.
• Fully immerse yourself in camp life, including participating in activities like hiking, campfires, and team-building exercises.

Qualifications:

• Passion for woodworking, hands-on activities, and working with youth.
• Ideal candidate is a college student studying education, art, psychology, or a related field.
• Experience with woodworking or carpentry and basic knowledge of tools and safety procedures is preferred but not required.
• Strong mental resilience and the ability to handle challenging but rewarding scenarios with empathy and composure.
• Ability to work the entirety of the summer season, including staff training dates.
• Pass all background and reference checks required for seasonal employees working with vulnerable youth.

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion, and openness to restorative conversations with campers and staff.
• Physical stamina to lead your program and participate in other outdoor activities in varying environmental conditions (e.g., heat, humidity, bugs).
• Ability to apply behavior management techniques to help campers navigate escalated situations and develop therapeutic coping skills.

Development and Fellowship Opportunities:

• Course credit available in psychology, education, art, and more.
• Over 140 hours of hands-on training for working with diverse children.
• Paid internship with 15-month Fellowship eligibility for additional professional development.
• Seminars throughout the summer covering several topics, including a group community project.

Internship Includes:

• Immersive nature experience in a beautiful outdoor setting.
• Room and board included.
• Laundry service provided.
• Paid time off.
• Travel stipend for staff members traveling over 250 miles.
• Forge lifelong friendships in a supportive and growth-oriented community.

How to Apply:

Ready to share your woodworking skills while making a lasting impact on young lives? Apply now to join a summer filled with creativity, personal growth, and transformative experiences for campers.

Camp Starfish is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Join us in making this summer unforgettable for the campers who need it most!