Fishing Camp
The Fish’N Kids program educates children and adults of various backgrounds in the love of fishing! We also teach about ecology and basic scientific information for teaching fishing both on land and by the water. You will be taught anything that is needed for the position. This program operates all throughout Chicago and Lake Michigan. Applications are due March 4th – apply here!
Harvest Garden
Harvest Garden teaches children how to grow and prepare their own food as they care for the garden ecosystem and park land. Harvest Garden operates at 21 parks primarily after school for three seasons, and during Summer Day Camp for the field trip program at the Community Roots garden in Skinner Park. Applications are due March 4th - Please see the job descriptions HERE for details and how to apply.
Nature Camp
Nature Camp Counselors may work with any one of the following programs, and placement is based on a number of factors including interest, geography, and skillset. Applications are due March 4th - the link to apply to Counselor positions is here. Apply for Coordinator roles here.
Big Marsh Park Adventure Camp
Big Marsh Park offers youth the opportunity to learn about the local plants and animals while participating in eco-recreation activities, such as biking, climbing, fishing, and hiking. Big Marsh Park Adventure Camp instructors will be responsible for facilitating lessons about the local ecosystems, participate in and monitor students during field trips like climbing and fishing, and go on bike rides with students around the park and on field trips. Instructors for this camp will also be assistant instructors for Big Marsh Park’s Bike Camp that focuses on biking skills and bike maintenance. Candidates should be open to learn new skills, further develop existing skills, and should be comfortable riding bikes for long periods of time.
Camping
The Chicago Park District Camping Program facilitates camping experiences in city parks, Cook County Forest Preserves, and beyond. Youth and Family Camping Programs teach basic camping skills such as tent setup, fire building, and campfire cooking and culminate in a night spent under the stars. Our robust Camping Gear Library rents a wide variety of camping gear – free of charge – to Chicago residents. Camping experience is not required for the position, as candidates will be trained in necessary skills.
Climbing
The Chicago Park District rock climbing program operates out of Big Marsh Park and Steelworkers Park in the Southeast side of the city. Climbing instructors will be responsible for setting up climbs and facilitating climbing experiences at the Steelworkers Park outdoor climbing wall. Climbing experiences include monthly community climbs, small group facilitation, walk-up climbing, and a two-week summer climbing camp for youth. Candidates should be open to learn new skills, further develop existing skills, and should be comfortable with heights. Candidates already experienced in climbing may have opportunities to instruct advanced climbing skills like anchor building, rappelling, and lead climbing.
Eco Explorers at North Park Village Nature Center
Eco Explorers works to connect kids and nature through weeklong, age focused adventures and experiences. This camp’s goal is to inspire a love of nature, through scientific investigations, eco-recreation activities, nature-inspired art, nature play and plenty of time spent in the great-outdoors. Campers learn about our local wildlife and ecosystem through guided discovery.
Nature Oasis
Nature Oasis is a mobile environmental education program that brings nature to YOU. Nature Oasis includes our Field Trip program, Toddlers Tunes & Turtles program, RiverLab program, and Community Bonfire program. Nature Oasis Field Trips teach kids about nature through a variety of environmental education activities led by Nature Oasis Counselors. Toddlers, Tunes, & Turtles is a traveling evening program for kids 0-6 years old with live animals, live music, scavenger hunts, and a nature touch table. The RiverLab program is a fishing and canoe paddling program with pop up environmental education events designed to connect Chicago Residents with their River. The Community Bonfire program brings community bonfires to different parks throughout the city and teaches community members fire making skills. Apply now at chicagoparkdistrict.com/jobs to start your journey with Nature Oasis.
Northerly Island Park Adventure Camp
Adventure Camp provides youths with an immersive, fun experience in nature, just a short distance from downtown Chicago. This camp’s goal is to inspire a love of nature, through scientific investigations, eco-recreation activities, nature-inspired art, nature play and plenty of time spent in the great-outdoors. Campers learn to catch a fish, plant a garden, hike Northerly Island’s prairie, explore Lake Michigan, create creatures, and imagine new worlds through nature play.
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For all positions, candidates must be a resident of the City of Chicago, willing to work outside in varying weather conditions, be able to travel to all areas of the city, be able to work independently, and have some college education or be enrolled as an incoming freshman.
Chicago Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Park District plays an important role in creating and sustaining safe, supportive and inclusive environments for youth, patrons, and employees. The Gender Diversity Policy was updated in 2024 to support a safe and welcoming experience for patrons and employees at the Park District.