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:
- Support the Summer Camp Lead Educator in facilitating hands-on, inquiry-rich, and tinkering-based learning experiences across science, art, history, and natural history themes.
- Work directly with campers individually and in small groups, providing guidance, encouragement, and scaffolding to support exploration, engagement, and social connection.
- Assist with classroomsetup, cleanup, and materials management, helping maintainorganized, accessible, and safe learning environments.
- Facilitate exploration, play-based activities, and games during extended day sessions, guiding campers purposefully throughout the museum to ensure safe, engaging, and meaningful experiences.
- Foster emotionally safe, inclusive, and disability-aware environments, supporting campers with diverse learning styles, access needs, and abilities with empathy and flexibility.
- Provide 1:1 or small-group support for campers who may need additional guidance with sensory regulation, behavior, or participation.
- Assist with camper supervision and transitions throughout the museum, ensuring safety and smooth movement between spaces.
- Model respectful communication, emotional regulation, curiosity, and flexibility for campers.
- Support behavior guidance using developmentally appropriate and restorative strategies in alignment with museum policies and education leadership direction.
- Assist with camper wellness and medical needs, including basic first aid and use of the Wellness Room, as trained.
- Follow all museum procedures, schedules, and legal requirements, including FERPA and HIPAA, withprofessionalism and discretion.
- Communicate observations, concerns, and successes with the Summer Camp Lead Educator and education leadership to support camper success.
- Assist with daily camper check-in and check-out and support positive, respectful interactions with caregivers as needed.
- Participate in required trainings, Accessibility Mornings, and special events, representing the South Carolina State Museum’s values in all interactions.
Qualifications:
- Must be18 years of age by June 1, 2026
- High school diplomarequired; current enrollment in or completion of coursework ineducation, child development, psychology, social work, museum studies, or a related fieldpreferred
- Experience working with children in camps, classrooms, childcare, afterschool programs, museums, or informal learning environments preferred
- Strong interest inplay-based, inquiry-driven, and child-centered learning
- Comfort working with children of diverse ages, abilities, access needs, and learning styles, including disabled campers
- Ability to buildpositive, respectful relationshipswith children and collaborate effectively with educators and peers
- Strong communicationskills and ability to follow direction while also taking initiative when appropriate
- Experience or willingness to supportsmall-group and 1:1 learning,sensory regulation, and behavioral support
- Ability to model emotional regulation, flexibility, and professionalism in fast-paced environments
- Willingness to follow museum policies, procedures, schedules, and all requiredFERPA and HIPAAguidelines
- Dependable, punctual, and adaptable, with the ability to respond calmly to changing needs
- Enthusiasm for learning across multiple subject areas, including science, art, history, tinkering, and natural history
- Availability to work all required camp dates, mandatory trainings, Accessibility Mornings, andspecial eventsas 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 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:
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)
