School-Age Group Leader - Seasonal

Summary

Established in 1962, Rooted & Rising – Washington Park (formerly United Methodist Children’s Services/UMCS) has a deep commitment to and long-standing presence in Milwaukee’s Washington Park neighborhood, where it has provided a wide range of social service programs and assistance to individuals and families, including supportive housing, community organizing, emergency food resources, social work and childcare.

 

Having served as a staple in the Washington Park neighborhood since 1998, The Growing Tree Children’s Center looks to take on new initiatives as we continue to grow. Our goal is to transition from a traditional childcare to early education with an emphasis on outdoor education, a move that requires a shift in focus to intentional, structured planning and environments as we immerse ourselves in holistic learning using the world around us.

 

We are currently seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Seasonal School-Age Group Leader to join our team and support the growth, learning and well-being of school-age children during our summer educational camp. This role is ideal for an energetic leader who is passionate about outdoor education, hands-on learning and creating meaningful summer experiences for children ages 6-12. If you are excited about leading a nature-based summer camp program and meet the qualifications outlined below, we invite you to apply.

Duties

• Coordinate and implement engaging summer camp programming by developing lesson plans and activities aligned with developmentally appropriate practices for school-age children
• Maximize the camp environment’s potential for nature-based, child-centered and experiential learning
• Lead and supervise outdoor activities with children for a significant portion of the day, weather permitting
• Create a positive, inclusive and structured camp environment that supports children’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive development
• Demonstrate strong classroom and group management skills to ensure a safe, respectful and engaging learning environment
• Observe and assess children’s participation and growth, providing feedback to parents or guardians as appropriate
• Lead by example and support team success through modeling positive behavior, mentoring and collaboration
• Plan and facilitate individual and group activities that encourage teamwork, problem-solving, creativity and independence
• Maintain regular communication with parents through informal discussions and scheduled updates.
• Ensure all program policies, licensing requirements and state regulations are met
• Maintain a safe, healthy and clean camp environment, including adherence to hygiene, safety and supervision standards
• Maintain accurate records, reports and documentation
• Participate in ongoing professional development to support continuous program quality improvement
• Other duties as assigned by management

Requirements

• Dedication to the mission of Rooted & Rising and the people we serve
• Minimum of 1 year of experience working with school-age children in a camp, after-school, recreational or educational setting
• Strong lesson planning, problem-solving and classroom/group management skills
• Strong oral and written communication skills and basic computer proficiency
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• High energy level and the ability to work collaboratively with staff, children and families
• Demonstrated understanding of school-age child development
• Current CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain prior to employment)
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods and lead physical activities
• Physical requirements include frequent walking, standing, bending, kneeling, lifting and the use of hands and fingers to manage equipment and materials
• Vision abilities include close-range and distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception
• Excellent leadership, organizational and interpersonal skills
• Availability to work seasonally between May and September
• Ability to manage stressful situations, multi-task and stay on schedule
• Sound judgement and reasoning skills, particularly as it applies to child safety and well-being
•  Knowledge of positive behavior guidance and redirection strategies
• Must pass required background checks and health screenings

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree or coursework in education, recreation, youth development or a related field, preferred
• Experience with nature-based, outdoor or experiential learning programs
• Proven classroom and behavior management experience with school-age children
• Experience or training in diverse communities and inclusive educational settings
• Previous summer camp leadership or supervisory experience preferred

Benefits

•  Paid holidays
• Discounted onsite childcare available via the Growing Tree Children’s Center

About Us

Established in 1962, Rooted & Rising - Washington Park (formerly UMCS) has a deep commitment to and long-standing presence in Milwaukee’s Washington Park neighborhood, where it has provided a wide range of social service programs and assistance to low-income, marginalized families, including childcare, supportive housing, community health promotion, community organizing, emergency food pantry and family resource center services, and social work.

 

Having served as a staple in the Washington Park community since 1998, The Growing Tree Children's Center looks to take on new initiatives as we continue to grow. Our goal is to transition from traditional childcare to early education with an emphasis on outdoor education. A move that requires a shift in focus from simple care to intentional, structured planning and environments, as we immerse ourselves in holistic learning using the world around us.