Summer Camp Educator

Full Job Description

Job Overview:

The South Carolina State Museum is seeking thoughtful, enthusiastic Summer Camp Educators to support joyful and wonder-driven camp experiences this summer! In this collaborative role, Educators actively support hands-on, play-based, and tinkering-focused learning by working with campers individually and in small groups, assisting with materials and transitions, and helping maintain welcoming, well-organized spaces. You’ll work alongside Lead Educators to support and adapt pre-designed camp activities, facilitate hands-on experiences, encourage creative problem-solving, and provide a steady, supportive presence for campers and staff. This position is ideal for individuals who love working with children and thrive in fast-paced, team-oriented environments. Educators also engage campers through games during social times and during informal exploration of museum galleries.

Reports To:

Summer Camp Educators will report to the Manager of Education & Experiences with secondary reporting to the Education Coordinator.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Oversee daily summer camp operations, ensuring smooth coordination of staff schedules, camper placement, transitions, and program flow.
• Manage camp rosters, attendance, documentation, and internal tracking systems, maintaining accurate and organized records.
• Serve as one of the primary points of contact for family communication during camp hours, including contacting caregivers regarding illness, behavior concerns, injuries, or schedule changes with professionalism and care.
• Monitor camper wellness needs and support staff in responding to medical, sensory, or behavioral situations in alignment with museum procedures.
• Ensure all staff are present, prepared, and assigned appropriately each day, adjusting coverage as needed to maintain safe camper-to-staff ratios.
• Support camper check-in and check-out processes, maintaining confidentiality and following FERPA and HIPAA guidelines.
• Provide supervisory support to Summer Camp Lead Educators and Summer Camp Educators, offering guidance, problem-solving assistance, and real-time decision-making as needed.
• Assist with conflict resolution involving campers, staff, or families, using developmentally appropriate and restorative approaches.
• Jump in to support classroom activities, gallery exploration games, or transitions when additional assistance is needed.
• Collaborate with Camp Leadership to ensure alignment with policies, safety procedures, and daily schedules.
• Participate in Accessibility Mornings, special events, and required trainings, representing the South Carolina State Museum’s values through professionalism and care.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age by June 1, 2026
• High school diploma required; coursework or degree in education, child development, communications, or related field preferred.
• Previous supervisory, camp leadership, or administrative experience preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and comfort managing spreadsheets, documentation, Microsoft 365 suites, and tracking systems.
• Confident and professional communicator including the ability to deliver sensitive or difficult information to caregivers calmly and clearly.
• Ability to make sound, timely decisions in fast-paced environments.
• Experience and comfort working with children of diverse ages, abilities, access needs, and learning styles, including campers with disabilities.
• Strong conflict-management and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow FERPA and HIPAA guidelines.
• Dependable, extremely punctual, and highly organized with both physical materials and virtual files.
• Comfortable balancing administrative oversight with hands-on support in the classroom when needed.
• Availability to work all required camp dates, mandatory trainings, Accessibility Mornings, and special events as scheduled

ADA/Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift and move 25-50lbs
• Prolonged standing and walking, including climbing stairs multiple times daily
• Work in small classrooms and large exhibition spaces
• Comfortable working in loud environments and around sudden noises
• Ability to navigate indoor and outdoor education spaces
• Comfortable under overhead and fluorescent lighting for extended periods
• Comfortable navigating low-light level environments including dark theaters.
• Comfortable around bodily fluids and handling basic medical situations (e.g., vomit, cuts, runny noses)

Required Dates:

Mandatory Training:

• May 18-22, 2026 (9am-4pm)
• May 26-29, 2026 (9am-4pm)

Mandatory Open House:

• May 28, 2026 (4:30-6pm)

Mandatory Camp dates:

• June 1 – July 31, 2026
• No camp June 29 - July 3, 2026

Additional Required Dates:

• June 13 - Accessibility Morning (7:30am-12pm)
• June 27 - 250th American Revolution Celebration Day (8:30am-5pm)
• July 11 - Accessibility Morning (7:30am-12pm)