Rappahannock Nature Camp’s Mission

“To allow individuals, especially children, to discover for themselves the wonder and beauty of the natural world, and to understand what it means to be a part of a community of living things.”
 
Visit Summer Day Camp for 2022 enrollment information.

Employment Opportunity

Nature-study day camp in Rappahannock County, Virginia seeking candidates for Camp Director, to succeed retiring director who will oversee the 2022 educational program. Tasks during four weeks of summer camp sessions will include teaching nature subjects, serving as counselors of boys and girls, leading activities for up to 24 campers (age 8 to 16), and guiding campers to produce illustrations and written material for 16-page annual newsletter.
 
Future work as Camp Director may include some or all of the following: development, expansion and oversight of all camp programs, budgeting and fundraising, staff search and training, administration of small nonprofit organization, as well as organizing and leading educational activities during camp sessions, including classes and outings for adults. Duties may possibly also include oversight of camp facilities, including buildings, gardens, trails and campsite, and associated tools and equipment.
 
Activities at this unique, small but growing day camp are almost all outdoors. We focus on nature observation and building a cooperative camp community. We seek to avoid abstract concepts, established scientific theories, reliance on technology and textbooks, and indoctrination of any sort. Candidates must be willing to attend camp-sponsored training and classes in our special approach to nature study and educational guidelines.
 
Desirable skills and experience:
 
  • Strong background in nature observation and study.
  • Ability to work with children with sensitivity to their needs and to guide them in activities that are both engaging and real.
  • Training, interest or experience related to some or all of the following: teaching young children, experiential education, community building, and direct observation of natural phenomena.

Salary:

  • Annual salary of $12,000 ($1,000/month).
  • The successful candidate for the permanent Camp Director position will overlap with the retiring director for the 4 weeks of summer camp duty in 2022, including training and planning meetings.

To apply:

Overview of Rapp Nature Camp programs and job descriptions are available at rappnaturecamp.org. Final selection of intern will require clear background check. Candidates please mail a Letter of Interest, along with resume, to: Camp Director, Rapp Nature Camp, P.O. Box 145, Sperryville, VA 22740. Applications and interviews now in progress.

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Rapp Nature Camp is a summertime day camp in the mountains of Rappahannock County, Virginia. Established in 1986, the 2021 summer marked our 36th year. 
 
We are deeply thankful again this year to the Emily Jane Hilscher Passion Award Fund, the people who contribute to the fund, and the Hilscher family for their continued support both for Rapp Nature Camp and the many children for whom they have provided scholarships over the years. Emily’s passion and love of nature lives on in the wonderful and profound experiences of our campers year after year.