Summer camps, Outdoor & ecological education

Title: Lead Outdoor Educator
Project: Kids Camps at Evermeadow Farms
Location: Northumberland County, near Cobourg, Ontario

Job Type: Full time, seasonal
Duration: June to September 2025

About Evermeadow Farm:
Evermeadow is a regenerative, pasture-based livestock farm in the rolling hills of Northumberland County. In addition to livestock production, the farm is a part of a larger ecological land management project aimed a restoring ecological resilience and biodiversity on the lands we steward. In 2025 we are launching expanded ecological education and community programming including kids camps, workshops for adults, and special themed events.

Our Mission:
Our mission is to operate an ecologically restorative farm that:
1. Provides premium, nutritious, ethical, and ecologically beneficial food for our communities;
2. Increases the biodiversity and productivity of the land we manage;
3. Fosters land-based lifeways as alternatives to extractive and unsustainable production and consumption patterns.

About the role:

The Lead Outdoor Educator (LOE) will oversee the delivery of our 2025 Summer Kids camps, working closely with farm management to provide a safe, expansive, and enriching experience of nature, farm and forest life, and local ecology to children (ages 6-12) from Northumberland County. We are seeking one experienced outdoor educator to lead our kid’s camp programming for the season, but we would also consider splitting the role into two, with two people taking charge one month each. (July + August).

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with management to refine and implement program content (initial programming will be developed before the season, but your expertise and interests will influence its final design).
• Participate in training sessions in mid-June covering safety protocols, pedagogical philosophy, program logistics, and orientation to the farm and surrounding land.
• Deliver high-quality educational content while ensuring camper safety, engagement, and enjoyment.
• Oversee camper safety, schedule and logistics, and manage children’s needs while leading and delivering educational programming.
• Work closely with an Educational Assistant who will help with logistics and camper supervision, allowing you to focus on content delivery.

Programming highlights

Camps will take place across our beautiful 97 acre farm near Cobourg, Ontario. The land here is diverse and includes pastures, gardens, creeks, hilltops, forests, and grasslands.

Camp activities will include:

• Outdoor skill development and ecological awareness.
• Nature-based games, role-playing, hiking, and trail/fort building.
• Gardening, food preparation, plant identification, observing animal life cycles.
• Farm chores, woodworking, and small building projects.

Requirements/qualifications/experience:

• A strong desire to effect positive change and community resilience through the important work of helping children develop healthy relationships with the land and all its inhabitants.
• Proven track record (2+ years’ experience) leading and connecting with children through outdoor or alternative education formats.
• Experience working with 6-12 year olds is preferred.
• Considerable general knowledge of the history and ecology of South Eastern Ontario – eg. glacial geology, First Nations history, European settlement, the effects of conventional agriculture, tall-grass prairies, grasslands, deciduous forests, plant, insect, and bird identification, sustainable agricultural practices, wetlands etc.
• Proven leadership and public relations ability. The role will require working with at least one assistant, as well as interacting with parents and community members. Ensuring their concerns are heard and their needs are met is crucial.
• Experience developing outdoor education curriculum, with a focus on skill development and ecological awareness.
• Physically fit and experienced navigating diverse outdoor environments including forest, wetland, brushy areas + know how to safely mitigate their hazards (poison ivy, ticks, etc.).
• Standard First Aid and CPR C Certificate required. Wilderness First Aid an asset.
• Police Vulnerable sector check required prior to start date.

Hours and Schedule:

• Monday to Friday, 8am to 4/5pm.
• Training (health and safety, pedagogical philosophy, content planning) will take place in mid-June.
• Camps will run for 8 weeks in two blocks with a one week break in the last week of July. The first block will run from June 30th to July 25th. The second block will run from August 4th to August 29th.
• There may be opportunities for further work – administration, documentation, and planning into September, as well as one-off events throughout the autumn.

Wage:
Starting at $24 -$28 /hr with consideration for qualifications and experience, totalling $8,500+ for the season (mid-June – September).

To apply:

Send cover letter, CV with work and other related experience and 2 references to info@evermeadow.ca by February 21st, 2025.

Please mention you saw this at FoodWork.ca.

We expect to finalize the hiring process by the end of February. Only applicants chosen for an interview will be contacted.