Teach Woodwork at Summer Camp

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Summer Camp Woodworking Jobs

Overview

Woodworking at camp is an activity that campers always get excited to do! It’s amazing that in an age of digital technology and internet, we have campers using their hands to learn a valuable craft.
As a woodworking instructor you will be responsible for groups of campers in your wood shop. You will work alongside them to teach them how to cut wood using various saws, drills, stencils, tools, and equipment.
You will find campers as young as 7 years old using “tools of the trade” to make projects for their friends and family! We’ve even seen dedicated campers build items such as a table-football game. You can imagine how hard it was to try to get it onto the bus to go home!
Teach Woodworking at Summer Camp

You should teach woodworking at camp because it is a great opportunity to share your love of wood crafting with the next generation. Not to mention, the smell of freshly cut wood also smells pretty awesome. Unless cooking went well, there’s no better place to go to on camp!
Seriously though, woodworking is just a really unique and wonderful activity to be able to teach kids. The woodwork program has it’s own studio in our wider arts & crafts building. It has everything you could wish for to have a successful summer and it will allow you to unleash your creativity alongside the campers.
Key Responsibilities

• Instruct, supervise, and mentor campers with a focus on developing their artistic skills, creative confidence, and collaborative spirit.
• Plan and lead daily activities in arts & crafts while also engaging in broader camp programs as needed.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and encouraging environment in all creative spaces and across camp life.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with campers, co-staff, and camp leadership to support a smooth and positive experience.
• Model integrity, curiosity, and respect both in the studio and throughout the camp community.
Key Details

• Must be at least 18 years of age by the start of the camp season.
• Prior experience working with children is beneficial.
• Available to live and work on-site for the full season (mid-June to mid-August)
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to engage fully in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Competitive seasonal salary.
• Free housing and meals for the duration of employment.
• Leadership and team development experience.
• A strong professional reference for future opportunities.
• Pre-camp training and ongoing support.

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5 things we look for in art teachers

Artistic Expertise: A strong background in various forms of art, including painting, drawing, sculpture, and crafts, is essential. This expertise allows the teacher to guide campers in exploring different artistic mediums and techniques.
Creativity and Imagination: The ability to inspire and nurture creativity in children is key. A creative arts teacher should bring imaginative ideas and projects to the table, encouraging campers to think outside the box and express themselves through art.
Patience and Encouragement: Working with kids requires patience and the ability to provide positive reinforcement. A good teacher can support and guide campers at their own pace, making the creative process enjoyable and stress-free.
Flexibility and Adaptability: Campers come with varying skill levels and interests. A creative arts teacher should be able to adapt lessons and activities to meet the diverse needs of the group, ensuring that every child feels included and engaged.
Strong Communication and Instructional Skills: The ability to clearly explain concepts, demonstrate techniques, and give constructive feedback is crucial. A creative arts teacher should be able to communicate effectively with campers, helping them understand and explore their artistic abilities.

Two young women smiling with paintbrushes in hand, sitting at a table with small terracotta pots in an art studio or workshop.

Two smiling women sitting at a table with art supplies, embracing each other, in a room with wood-paneled walls.

A man wearing safety glasses and a navy blue t-shirt with 'CAMP IHC' printed on it, holding a large wooden frame in front of a wall with a wooden paneling background, smiling at the camera.

Ricardo Manigat

"As the Creative Arts Director, I am proud to lead a teaching staff that brings imagination and inspiration to every corner of camp. Their passion for the arts and commitment to nurturing each camper's creativity make our programs more than just activities—they are transformative experiences. Our teachers empower campers to express themselves, explore new talents, and discover the joy of creating."

Two men sitting on wooden steps outside, smiling at the camera, wearing blue t-shirts with 'CAMP IHC' written on them.

An adult guiding a young boy as he uses a saw to cut a piece of wood in a woodworking workshop.

A person is cutting a piece of wood with a saw, shaping an outline on the wood.

Three smiling young girls in safety glasses standing in a woodworking workshop with various tools on a wooden wall background

Two boys wearing safety goggles and blue T-shirts working with woodworking machines in a woodshop classroom.

Two young girls wearing safety glasses standing in a woodworking shop, holding small wooden objects and smiling at the camera.

An adult and a young boy working together at a woodworking workshop, using a power saw on a piece of wood, both wearing safety goggles.

A young man wearing safety glasses and a navy blue sweatshirt with 'CAMP IHC' printed on it, standing in a woodworking workshop, holding two white wooden anchors.

Children working with woodworking tools in a workshop.

FAQs

Teaching periods are around 40-50 minutes long. You’ll normally coach 5 or 6 periods a day. Camp counselors will accompany the campers to the woodwork shop and then it’s your responsibility to engage with the campers and get them ready for the lesson. You and your team will have lesson plans (that you help build!) that will be tailored for the different levels and abilities. Those 40-50 minutes are yours to make as amazing as possible.
A typical class will have around 12-18 campers. You will have a schedule for each day to know what campers to expect before the day starts. Sometimes bunks have split activities or off-camp trips, or perhaps extra campers are scheduled for woodworking at once!
This means you can sometimes have a small handful of campers or a larger class to teach.
Woodworking is indoors, so on rainy days you may have more teaching periods than usual!
Our camp season runs from mid-June to mid-August. For this position you would need to be available for this period.
Teaching experience will always help but most importantly you have to be super passionate about woodworking and even more passionate about working with children!
Throughout the summer you will live in a bunk with campers and other camp counselors. When you’re not teaching you’ll connect with them and be part of their group to provide extra coverage. During this time you’ll have an opportunity to take part in other activities with them and help your team out.
Yes. On a regular schedule you will have one period off each day.
You will also have one full day and night off each week. This is your chance to rest, recover and try some new things on camp and explore new places off camp with other staff.

One Camp.
One Community.

About Us:

Camp IHC is a mission-driven overnight camp in North East Pennsylvania focused on child development. Our team is dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for both campers and staff.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

Camp IHC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage candidates from all backgrounds, identities, and communities to apply. We are committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace for everyone.