Woodworking Specialist

Step into a dynamic creative role where you will inspire young makers to build confidence, practical skills, and lasting summer memories with their own hands. As the Woodworking Specialist at Willow Lake Day Camp, you will lead engaging, hands-on woodworking sessions for campers ages 3 through 15 within our dedicated creative arts studios. You will teach age-appropriate tool safety, basic joinery, sanding, assembly, and finishing while fostering an encouraging workshop environment where every camper feels proud of what they create. Partnering alongside enthusiastic group counselors, you will guide campers through projects ranging from birdhouses and toolboxes to custom decorative wood crafts. This position offers aspiring educators, makers, and young leaders the ultimate resume-building experience in studio management, project planning, and youth mentorship.

- **Lead Creative Instruction:** Design and instruct dynamic, hands-on woodworking and maker projects tailored to campers from Pre-K through 8th grade.- **Champion Workshop Safety:** Demonstrate and enforce age-appropriate safety protocols for all hand tools, sanding stations, assembly materials, and non-toxic finishes.- **Collaborate with Group Counselors:** Partner with group counselors and unit leaders during every studio period to ensure positive camper engagement, individualized support, and teamwork.- **Maintain area:** Organize tool racks, monitor lumber and craft supplies, and prep raw materials ahead of daily activity rotations.- **Foster Camper Confidence:** Guide children through step-by-step assembly, encouraging resilience, problem-solving, and personal pride in every finished piece.

- Prior experience working with children in camp, school, youth club, or recreational maker settings.- Practical familiarity with basic woodworking hand tools, safety practices, measuring, sanding, and assembly techniques.- Demonstrated ability to explain multi-step manual tasks clearly and enthusiastically to beginners of varying ages.

- Strong communication, organizational, and group facilitation skills.- Positive, patient, and energetic attitude with a genuine passion for youth mentorship.- Creative problem-solving mindset and a proactive approach to studio care and safety.- Commitment to full summer availability from June 21 through August 13, 2027, plus pre-camp staff orientation.

- Bachelor’s degree (completed) or equivalent professional experience as an adult educator or creative arts professional.- Degree, coursework, or background in education, art, design, industrial arts, engineering, or a related field preferred

- Ability to stand, walk, bend, and move actively throughout the studio and 35-acre outdoor campus during the camp day.- Manual dexterity to demonstrate hand tool usage, measure materials, and assist campers with assembly and sanding.- Capability to safely lift and carry workshop supplies.

- **Leadership & Career Growth:** Build standout resume experience in project management, classroom instruction, and youth leadership.- **Comprehensive Summer Package:** Competitive seasonal pay, complimentary hot and cold lunches provided daily, and the opportunity for your child(ren) to attend camp at discounted tuition.- **Exceptional Community Culture:** Join a welcoming staff family that values tradition, camaraderie, teamwork, and lifelong friendships.- **Evenings & Weekends Free:** Monday through Friday schedule with no overnight or weekend shifts, plus July 4th off.

Willow Lake Day Camp is a premier family-owned day camp in northwest New Jersey that has been creating transformative summer experiences for campers ages 3 to 15 for over 40 years. Our mission centers on our Dream Big philosophy, fostering personal growth, character development, and meaningful friendships in a spirited community. We partner closely with dedicated staff and camp families to deliver an inspiring, high-energy summer rooted in safety and care.

Our 35-acre campus in Lake Hopatcong features shaded hills, playing fields, heated pools, a private lake, and extensive covered pavilions. Camp specialists work outdoors across our scenic grounds and inside dedicated specialty studios designed for age-appropriate learning.