Job Title: Summer Camp Counselor
Department: Education
Job Type: Seasonal (Summer)
Pay: $13/hour

About Boonshoft Museum of Discovery:

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is a dynamic and engaging science and technology center located in Dayton, Ohio. Our mission is to spark lifelong learning through play, scientific inquiry, and interactive experiences. We offer a wide range of educational programs and events, including summer camps designed to inspire curiosity and ignite the passion for discovery in children of all ages. We are seeking enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to join our team as Summer Camp Counselors.

Job Description:

As a Summer Camp Counselor at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, you will play a vital role in creating a fun and educational summer camp experience for children. You will work closely with campers, fellow counselors, and camp leadership to ensure that camp activities are safe, engaging, and aligned with our mission of sparking curiosity and fostering scientific exploration.

Responsibilities:

• Camp Leadership: Provide leadership and guidance to a group of campers, ensuring their safety, well-being, and engagement throughout the camp day.
• Program Facilitation: Lead and assist with a variety of camp activities, including hands-on science experiments, outdoor adventures, arts and crafts, and more.
• Engagement: Encourage campers to explore, learn, and have fun while promoting a sense of wonder and excitement about the natural world.
• Participate: Be hands-on and actively involved with campers during activities.
• Supervision: Supervise and monitor campers during daily activities, ensuring they follow safety rules and camp guidelines.
• Collaboration: Work as a team with other camp counselors and camp leadership to create a positive and inclusive camp environment.
• Communication: Communicate to camp manager in regards to campers’ progress, needs, and any concerns that may arise. Communicate with fellow camp counselors throughout the day about activities and campers needs.
• Problem Solving: Assist in resolving conflicts, addressing behavioral issues, and responding to emergencies in a calm and responsible manner.
• Safety: Maintain a safe and clean camp environment, following all safety protocols and emergency procedures.

Qualifications:

• Enthusiasm for working with children and promoting science education.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Prior experience working with children, in a camp setting or related field, is a plus.
• First Aid and CPR certification is preferred but not required (training will be provided).
• High school diploma or equivalent (college coursework in education, science, or a related field is a plus).

Time Commitment:

This is a full-time seasonal position during the summer months, spanning end of May to early August. Camp hours are from 8:30am – 5:00pm, and counselors are expected to work a full-time schedule, although hours may vary pre-and post-camp.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should forward a resume to: hr@boonshoftmuseum.org

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences.

Join us in inspiring the next generation of curious minds and help create unforgettable summer camp memories at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery!

Position: Public Programs Internship

Sessions:

• Applications for the May to August session must be received by April 1st
• Applications for the September to December session must be received by August 1st
• Applications for the January-April session must be received by December 1st

Supervisor: Public Programs Manager

Summary:

Interns will join the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery’s education team to learn about the informal education aspects of the museum world. They will lead daily educational programs and provide engaging opportunities for visitors in topics such as chemistry, physics, biology, and more.

Public speaking and interpretation techniques are core skills that will be developed over the course of the internship. Lead daily interactive shows with science demonstrations inside our Science Theater and walk participants through a hands-on science activity in the Do Lab. Additionally, encourage exploration as exhibit guide in key areas of the museum such as the Discovery Zoo, or lead smaller hands on moments with our Toddler Basket and Discovery Table programs. Opportunities to attend training sessions, school programming, and special events will be offered when available.

This is an unpaid internship. Some colleges may offer financial support to interns and/or provide monetary benefits.

Scheduling:

• Internship sessions run for 12 weeks.
• 16 hours per week up to a maximum of 24 hours per week.
• Shifts are 8 hour days from 8:30am-5:00pm with a 30 minute lunch.
• Some shifts may change in response to any special events or requests for assistance.

Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Currently enrolled, or seeking enrollment, at the college level.
  • Degree backgrounds in education, early childhood development, the sciences, history, and museum studies are our core areas.
• Submit a complete application and resume for an interview.
• Submit paper work for a background check and photo release.
• Attend museum orientation prior to start.

Core Duties:

• Provide educational and engaging content, answer visitor questions, and ensure visitors leave with a positive and memorable experience.
• Lead daily Science Theater and Do Lab presentations for the public.
• Be an Exhibit Guide in core exhibits within the museum such as Discovery Zoo or Ancient Egypt.
• Lead Discovery Table and Toddler Baskets for short hands on science activities.
• Help track visitor and student attendance for accurate record keeping.
• Complete Lab Safety Training to work with and around chemicals in the labs to prepare and lead programming that uses them.
• Plan, research, and develop a project during your internship. This will be discussed with your supervisor early in your internship.
• Work with and assist the education team in other areas such as school programming, field trips, summer camps, and volunteer support.

Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to:

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
2600 DeWeese Parkway
Dayton, OH 45414

OR Email:
jutterback@boonshoftmuseum.org

Location: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Work Hours: 16 to 19 hours per week, some weekend work required | Applications for the Winter Session (January – March) must be received by October 15; Summer Session (June – August) by March 15; Fall Session (September – November) by July 15.

Reports To: Curator of Live Animals

Overview:

• The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is seeking applicants for the Animal Care Internship. Interns work with animal care staff for 10 to 14 weeks during Winter, Summer or Fall Sessions and gain experience in the areas of animal care, record keeping, animal enrichment and interpretation of animal exhibits.
• Internships in the Live Animal Department are non-paid positions and hours worked accumulate as volunteer hours.
• Interns will work between 16 and 19 hours per week with a minimum of 190 hours completed. Schedules will be coordinated with the Curator of Live Animals and will include weekend hours.
• Duties include daily maintenance of the animal exhibits, behind the scenes areas, and visitor spaces. Interns will learn how to present educational programs to Museum visitors.
• Each intern must complete an independent project for the Live Animal Department if completing the externship for credit. The project will be selected with guidance from department curators.

Qualifications:

• Interns must be a currently enrolled in college degree program or have completed a college degree within the past two years.
• Interns must be able to perform basic animal care activities including standing for extended periods, bending, sweeping and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Interns must be able to tolerate the presence of animal fur, feathers, and bedding.

Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to:

Associate Curator of Live Animals
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
2600 DeWeese Parkway
Dayton, OH 45414

Email: ltoth@boonshoftmuseum.org

Applications for the Winter Session (January – March) must be received by October 15; Summer Session (June – August) by March 15; Fall Session (September – November) by July 15.

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and houses a diverse collection of over 125 animals.

POSITION: Animal Behavior Internship
LOCATION: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Dayton, Ohio
WORK HOURS: 8 hours per week
REPORTS TO: Curator of Live Animals

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is seeking applicants for the Animal Behavior Internship. Interns work with animal care staff for 12 weeks during Winter, Summer or Fall Sessions and gain experience in animal psychology.

The Animal Behavior Internship is focused on gaining an understanding of “why animals do the thing.” Interns will learn about animal welfare, animal behavior, animal enrichment, and animal training. These four categories help us understand how to improve the lives of animals under human care. Each category has an associated project our intern is to complete to gain an understanding of how animal behavior is measured and understood.

This internship is focused on animal behavior rather than animal husbandry. Interns will not be expected to participate in cleaning habitats or other regular cleaning tasks. Interns will be expected to read scientific articles, stand for long periods of time conducting observational data, and complete research and paperwork pertinent to our animals.

By gaining an understanding of how our animals are spending their time and how they interact with their environment, interns will be providing us with invaluable insight into their lives.

Qualifications

Interns must be currently enrolled in a college degree program or have completed a college degree within the past two years.

Interns must be able to tolerate the presence of animal fur, feathers and bedding.

Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to Associate Curator of Live Animals, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, 2600 DeWeese Parkway, Dayton, OH 45414 or LToth@boonshoftmuseum.org

Applications for the Winter Session (mid-January through April) must be received by October 15; Summer Session (June through August) by March 15; Fall Session (September through November) by July 15.

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and houses a diverse collection of over 125 animals

Position: Animal Interpretive Internship – Fall Session (mid-August – November)

Location: Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Work Hours: 16 hours per week, some weekend work may be required | Applications for the Fall Session (September – November) by July 15.

Reports To: Curator of Live Animals

Overview:

The Animal Interpretive Internship is focused on facilitating students’ interpretive skills and animal ambassador handling techniques. This internship provides interns a unique opportunity to become involved with the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery’s educational efforts on-site, off-site, and at special events. Participants will join a multidiscipline team and collaborate with Education and Live Animals Department team members throughout their internship. In doing so, Interns will gain experiences with established professionals, mentors, and new skills. These skills include, but are not limited to; safe animal handling techniques, public speaking, foundational interpretation skills, collaborative programming, informal education experiences, record keeping, and familiarity in guest relations. The animal ambassador collection includes birds, reptiles, mammals, arthropods, and amphibians. This internship is focused on interpretation utilizing live animals rather than animal husbandry.

• Internships in the Live Animal Department are non-paid positions and hours worked accumulate as volunteer hours. Housing is not provided. 
• Interns will work 16 hours per week.
• Schedules will be coordinated with the Curator of Live Animals and Director of Education and may include weekend hours.

Qualifications:

• Interns must be a currently enrolled in college degree program or have completed a college degree within the past two years.
• Interns will be expected to read scientific articles, stand for long periods of time and complete paperwork pertinent to our animals.
• Interns must be able to tolerate the presence of animal fur, feathers, and bedding.

Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter to:

Associate Curator of Live Animals
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
2600 DeWeese Parkway
Dayton, OH 45414

OR Email:
ltoth@boonshoftmuseum.org

Applications for the Winter Session (January – March) must be received by October 15; Summer Session (June – August) by March 15; Fall Session (September – November) by July 15.

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and houses a diverse collection of over 125 animals