Seasonal Art Camp Director

Overview

Please review the

How to Apply

section for application instructions.

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do.

We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website,(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Hourly Rate: $/hour

Note:

Rates are determined based on relevant experience.

Hours per week: 40 hours/week, Mondays–Fridays, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM, Fridays until 5 PM, occasional weekend days/weeknights for training and camp administration

Job Classification: Nonexempt, Seasonal

Job Type: Onsite, de Cordova

Duration: May 11, 2026 – August 24, 2026

Location: de Cordova, Lincoln, MA

Are you someone who values collaborative, interdisciplinary, place-based education and the intersections of art, nature, and science? Are you creative, open-minded, curious, and flexible, and have strong organizational, computer, and management skills? As the director of DeCordova’s camps, you will implement and execute each summer’s unique themes that spark the imagination and creativity of staff, campers, and families alike.

THE Hive, July 6 – August 7, is designed for fifty-six campers ages 5-12 who are curious about the world around them and interested in exploring nature and contemporary artistic ideas through energizing and emergent collaborations culminating each week in large-scale installations in the Sculpture Park.

TEEN SUMMER STUDIO, June 29 – July 3 and August 10–14, offers opportunities for small cohorts of 13–16-year-olds to refine and expand artistic techniques, create meaningful connections, and develop confidence in their unique artistic voice.

For more information about this summer’s exciting weekly themes and projects, please visit: de Cordova Camps.

As the DeCordova Art Camp Director, you will report to the DeCordova Interpretation Manager and oversee the operations and management of The Hive and Teen Summer Studio. You will be responsible for onboarding, training, mentoring, and leading DeCordova’s cohort of innovative Art & Nature Instructors (artists, educators, makers, naturalists) who work in consort with campers to create magnificent, immersive sculptures in the park each summer week.

You will spend extensive time in the studios, actively engaging with campers, supporting instructors, building community, and developing strong relationships with each camper and their family.

You’ll:

• Implement and oversee the camps’ emergent art and nature-based curriculum that responds to DeCordova’s exhibitions plus instructors’ and campers’ interests and skills.
• Effectively train, mentor, and manage a team of seasonal camp staff:
  Assistant Camp Director, Art & Nature Instructors, Camp Behavior Specialist, and Junior Instructors.
• Manage camp registration, parent communications, town licensing, and other camp administrative work, using dedicated Camp Brain software and other platforms as required.
• Lead comprehensive training for Instructors and Junior Instructors, ensuring they are fully grounded in program content and pedagogy and prepared to create a safe, engaging, and consistent camp experience.
• Provide robust support to the Assistant Camp Director in training, mentoring, and managing Junior Instructors ages 15–18, ensuring they are equipped to contribute meaningfully to the studio environment.
• Support individual camper needs, challenges, and wellness, sometimes requiring one-on-one supervision.
• Proactively communicate with camper parents, fostering trust…