Interested in environmental education, wilderness skills and working with children? Looking to build your resume, receive volunteer credit for school and broaden your knowledge of the natural word? Join the Audubon Vermont team this summer as a volunteer counselor-in-training!

Counselors-in-training (CITs) work alongside our camp counselors—experienced naturalists and educators—to deliver a high-quality, hands-on environmental education and activities for campers ages 3-12. The program is structured to give CITs the opportunity to explore their interests in outdoor education and conservation, while also building the skills and experience to launch them towards their next education or carrer opportunities. We hope our CITs will become the next generation of Audubon camp counselors, naturalist educators and conservation biologists!

Who can apply?

CIT positions are open to high school students 14 to 18 years old (students entering 9th grade who may not yet be 14 are welcome to apply). CITs must be available for a 3-day training session the week before camp starts and commit to at least two weeks of summer camp (between June 21 and August 13). 

Is the CIT position right for you? 

We are looking for people with interests in:

• Outdoor/environmental education
• Wildlife and habitat conservation
• Nature awareness, animal tracking, and wilderness living skills
• Nature-based crafts, art, and tool-making
• Teaching and mentoring younger kids
• Building teamwork and leadership skills

Past experience attending Audubon camp or another outdoor camp is a plus, but not required.

CITs have the option of working with our Preschool Nature Camp or Ecology Day Camp. Normally, CITs have the option to choose different camps, but this year CITs will stick with ONE camp. This is an effort to limit interaction between camps and staff to reduce chances of spread. 

Preschool Nature Camp: Preschool Nature Camp offers a half-day of outdoor play and exploration to campers 3 to 5 years old, with both morning and afternoon sessions. Our time is filled with stories, nature walks, puppet shows, games, and full-sensory immersion in the natural world. CIT hours: 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. 

Ecology Day Camp: Ecology Day Camp's full-day program runs wild around the forests, brooks, and ponds of the Green Mountain Audubon Center. Each week of camp focuses on a different theme, but all campers will get a chance to search for wildlife, make crafts, go on hikes, and hone their nature awareness skills while exploring the most magical places at Audubon. Campers age 6 to 14. CIT hours: 8:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m

See the camp calendars for a description of each camp session and their weekly themes:

Preschool Nature Camp Calendar 

Ecology Day Camp Calendar

• Participate in staff meetings and weekly check-ins with mentor 
• Receive and apply feedback 
• Be a role model for campers, exhibiting maturity and good judgment
• Under supervision, lead camp activities and programs for which your skills, interests, and training qualify you.

COVID-19: If you are coming from out of state or leaving the state for any reason, please make sure you have enough time to self-isolate prior to CIT training and the weeks you are on camp. Please review and follow the Vermont Department of Health guidelines around travel and symptoms. 

Apply to become a CIT using our application here.

Questions? Please contact Sarah Hooghuis at sarah.hooghuis@audubon.org