Park Naturalist plans, develops, and conducts programs to inform the public of historical, natural, and scientific features concerning national, state, or local parks. May require a bachelor's degree and 2-4 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Being a Park Naturalist is familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Additionally, Park Naturalist performs a variety of complicated tasks. Typically reports to a supervisor/manager. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. (Copyright 2024 Salary.com)
Caritas Creek at CYO Camp: at Catholic Charities is a comprehensive, 5-day residential environmental education experience for students in the 5th-8th grades. The program offers a blend of age-appropriate science curriculum aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and retreat style activities fostering social, spiritual, and academic development for youth from diverse backgrounds. During the week, students are exposed to a series of themes, hikes, activities and lessons designed to promote learning, awareness and character development on multiple levels: personal, social, environmental and spiritual.
One of the unique aspects of the program is the faith-based community building experience of Caritas, where the focus is placed on recognizing the individual's unique gifts and strengths. Through hands-on exploration, Caritas endeavors to illuminate the divine in all things and build empathy and understanding for the natural world.
Program Naturalist Overview
View the CYO Camp experience
Program Naturalists
Do you see the interconnectedness of all aspects of the ecosystem as a spiritual concept? Are you devoted to the development of the mind, body and spirit of the students Caritas Creek serves?
A Typical Day
Program Naturalists begin each work day at an 8:45am meeting with their colleagues to plan the route they will take through the camp's 215-acre redwood forest. They create their own lesson plans—deciding when and where to deliver science, team building, spiritual and social/emotional curriculum provided by the program. After they pick up their exploration group of 11-13 students at the main lodge, they disappear into the forest to explore and learn until they return to main camp at 2:30pm. For the remainder of the afternoon, Naturalists that are on duty run electives such as archery, canoeing, arts and crafts or Gaga ball (a dodge ball game played in a mud pit!). Night time activities include small group sharing sessions called Serendipities (a flashlight-less night hike), campfire and an all-camp celebration.
There is a philosophical theme for each day in which Naturalists connect their curriculum: New Discoveries, Connections, Power and Equality, Change and Springboard. Every Friday Naturalists facilitate a closing ceremony with their exploration group in which they prepare a presentation for the all-camp closure that ends the week for students. After the participants depart at noon on Friday, Program Naturalists perform a variety of tasks to ready the facility for the following Monday. A staff meeting usually ends by 3pm, then everybody enjoys their weekends free in beautiful West Sonoma County!
Location
The CYO Camp & Retreat Center is located amidst 215 acres of towering redwood forest and open meadow in historical western Sonoma county, just six miles from the Pacific Ocean and a short walk away from the town of Occidental. The Russian River winds through valleys to the north and the San Francisco Bay Area lies tantalizingly close, 60 miles to the south.
Originally a logging settlement in the mid-1800s, you can step back into history as you explore Occidental's cozy cafés, open art studios, unique boutiques and the region's 150 wineries. From the dramatic Sonoma coastline, the incredible redwoods of Armstrong Woods, to a stage-side seat at the Celtic Music Festival or Jazz on the Russian River, there is something for everyone.
CYO Camp is a beautiful facility to deliver a science curriculum, build strong communities, teach leadership and plant the seed of environmental awareness and sustainability to tomorrow's leaders.
Time Commitment
Includes 1-2 weeks of paid training. Mid-season start dates are possible.:
Compensation includes $510/week (with a $510 incentive payment: for completing the season), one paid week off each season, housing in a private room:, meals while programs are in session, and a $500 medical reimbursement. Staff housing is one mile away from the main side of camp and a short walk to the quaint town of Occidental, featuring several excellent restaurants, a health food store, cool shops, a farmers market, yoga studio, and much, much more!
The Essentials
Your First Move & Connections
If you are a dynamic, fun-loving individual dedicated to connecting students to one another and to the natural world through science and exploration, send your resume, cover letter and questions to Paul Raia (and feel free to call Paul with any questions!).
Paul Raia
Associate Director
Caritas Creek at CYO Camp:
2136 Bohemian Hwy
Occidental, CA 95465
(707) 874-0226
praia@catholiccharitiessf.org
CYOCamp.org
I was a camper at Caritas Creek in 1980 when I was 12 years old and the 5-day experience forever changed my life. I learned to celebrate human diversity and see myself as an integral part of the environment, completely atomically connected to my community, the ecosystem, the sun and earth. I volunteered as a Cabin Leader in high school and returned to serve as a Program Naturalist in 1992. Over the decades I have witnessed thousands of students and staff transform during their week, often boarding the bus on Friday in tears because of the depth of the experience. One of the corner stones of the program is the love we show each individual participant that we are honored to share space with. We create a loving family feel that allows us to take kids deeper than they would normally go. —Paul Raia, Assistant Director
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