Outdoor Programs Assistant

Position: Full-time, seasonal (June 1 - October 15), non-exempt

Salary & Benefits: Starting at $16.00-17.50 per hour based on skills & experience, plus participation in the Staff Appreciation Fund bonus program. Includes free lodging & meals at Great Camp Sagamore if desired; paid sick leave; participation in Sagamore’s SIMPLE retirement plan after 1 season. 

About Great Camp Sagamore

Great Camp Sagamore is a 17-acre National Historic Landmark and is one of the first of the nationally renowned Adirondack “Great Camps,” located in one of the most remote areas of the Adirondack Park. Today, Great Camp Sagamore is owned, preserved, and operated by Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks (SIA). We are an educational, private, non-profit institution dedicated to stewarding Great Camp Sagamore as a welcoming place for educational and recreational programs and fostering connections to history, nature, and community.

Sagamore welcomes guests from late May through late October and on two separate days during the winter. Guests come from around the world to take tours, participate in overnight and day experiences, attend conferences, get married, host family reunions, and enjoy concerts.

Working at Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks

SIA employs a core group of year-round staff members and additional seasonal staff to support our on-campus programs and activities. During the season, most staff members live on campus with meals provided. We maintain a collaborative work environment where all staff members are expected to lead by example, work closely together positively, and foster a safe, encouraging, and enjoyable workplace.

The Institute is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment that empowers all staff members to grow and be active within decision-making spaces. We are committed to ensuring an anti-racist culture and a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. SIA does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender expression, sexual identity, sexual orientation, race, class, color, age, ethnicity, first language, religion or belief, family, marital, parental, military, or veteran status. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, discipline, termination, compensation, benefits, training, and professional development.

At Great Camp Sagamore, all employees help to facilitate camp offerings. In addition to one’s job-specific duties, other tasks may be assigned, as needed, to support camp operations for the employee’s department or other camp departments. 

Position Description

The Outdoor Programs Assistant is a fun, hands-on role at the heart of the Sagamore guest experience. This position is perfect for someone who loves being outdoors, enjoys working with people, and wants to build real-world experience in outdoor recreation, education, and hospitality. Outdoor Programs Assistants support the daily operations of outdoor and interpretive programming, assist with special events and family camps, and play a key role in the seamless setup and execution of weddings, reunions, and other gatherings.

This is a fast-paced, hands-on position ideal for someone who thrives outdoors, enjoys leading groups, and values being part of a close-knit, collaborative camp community. Throughout the season, Outdoor Programs Assistants lead activities that create meaningful connections between people and place, while fostering a warm, welcoming, and safe environment for all overnight and day visitors.

Outdoor Programs Assistants lead engaging and safe activities for guests of all ages, from guided hikes and paddles to nature programs and group games. You’ll work with families, kids, grandparents, and first-time visitors, helping create memorable experiences that keep guests coming back year after year. They are integral to the success of our signature Grandparent–Grandchild Camps and support a wide range of programs rooted in Adirondack history, culture, and the natural world. Outdoor Programs Assistants help guests discover and understand the local flora and fauna that surround Great Camp Sagamore, while modeling and promoting a strong ethic of environmental stewardship.

Comprehensive content, safety, and operational training are provided as part of staff orientation. Outdoor Programs Assistants are also trained to interpret Great Camp Sagamore’s rich natural and human history. They are expected to weave relevant historical context into daily presentations alongside nature-based topics, creating programs that are informative, engaging, and deeply connected to place.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and assist with interpretive and outdoor programs, including guided hikes, paddles, nature programs, and art programs.
• Assist with family programming, including Grandparent–Grandchild Camp
• Assist with guest services for weddings, reunions, and special events
• Ensure a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all guests
• Help maintain program equipment and outdoor spaces as needed
• Set up and break down indoor and outdoor program and event spaces 
• Work collaboratively with Sagamore staff to support overall camp operations

Preferred Skills and Experiences 

• Experience in outdoor/environmental education, environmental science/studies, biology, chemistry, geology, or other relevant coursework. Associate's or Bachelor’s degree preferred, but not required. 
• Strong leadership skills and comfort leading groups in outdoor settings
• Experience working with children, families, and/or adult learners
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills.
• Recent graduates, retirees, and other qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification, Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification, lifeguarding certification, and/or paddling certifications are preferred but not required

Physical Requirements 

• Ability to lift and carry 40lbs
• Ability to walk up and down 2 flights of stairs and traverseuneven terrain at least ½ mile per day
• Ability to hike or paddle a kayak or canoe consistently for up to 2.5 hours

Additional Perks

When off duty, staff have access to the camp’s facilities and amenities, including the Boat House canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards, and access to the 12 miles of foot trails adjacent to the property. Staff receive a discount in the Gift Shop, and staff members’ friends and extended family members may enjoy tours, meals, and overnight accommodations at reduced costs.

How to apply

1. Submit an application form via our website: www.sagamore.org/employment
2. The hiring team will review your application and contact you to let you know whether you will be moving forward in the process.
3. Advancing applicants will be invited to participate in the interview process, including phone and/or virtual interviews.
4. Selected candidates will be sent an offer letter and new-hire information.