Position Title: Tinkering Camp Counselor
Status: Temporary Position, Full Time, Non-exempt, 35.5 hours per week
Dates of Employment: June 1 – August 5, 2026
Job Classification: Educator
Hourly Rate: $16-18 per hour
Job Summary:
The vision of DuPage Children’s Museum is that all children thrive through access to extraordinary learning experiences. The Tinkering Camp Counselor (TCC) serves a critical role in advancing the vision by being a vital part of DCM’s Summer Tinkering Camp.
The TCC’s will be responsible for the general supervision of campers as well as leading the daily activity facilitation. TCC’s will oversee the campers’ learning experiences by encouraging and modeling the importance of open-ended, playful learning experiences. TCC’s will work collaboratively with each other and the Tinkering Camp interns to provide a positive, safe, and welcoming learning environment that is grounded in playful learning practices and is developmentally appropriate for campers.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Supervise campers throughout the camp day, ensuring that campers are with their assigned group, are engaging in activities, and behaving safely and appropriately;
- Lead the facilitation of daily activities in a way that is learner-centered, open-ended, and constructivist based;
- Lead interactions with campers to deepen their learning experiences during camp;
- Create a positive and open learning environment for both staff and campers;
- Assist in the preparation for daily camp activities, including organizing all necessary materials, and ensuring staff are ready for the day;
- Support the interns and their professional growth by modeling effective facilitation practices;
- Follow all safety protocols and ensure staff and campers are using tools and equipment properly;
- Regularly check in and communicate with the Tinkering Camp Coordinator, other counselors, interns, and campers;
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of DCM mission, philosophy, policies, and procedures as related to camp activities;
- Participate in all staff training;
- Other duties as assigned.
Job Relationships:
- Position sits within the Learning Partnerships Department
- Reports to the Camp & Community Program Manager; daily tasks and coordination of activities given by Tinkering Camp Coordinator
- Collaborates regularly with Guest Experience Managers and the Student Learning Team
Education and Experience:
- Experience working with young children and/or interest in working with children a must.
- Degree in, or in pursuit of, Early Childhood and/or Elementary Education, or relevant field, a plus.
- Experience working in out-of-school time programming, such as other summer camps or afterschool programs strongly preferred;
- Experience leading child-directed, open-ended learning activities strongly preferred.
Skills and Abilities:
- Excellent customer service verbal communication skills.
- Must be punctual.
- Must exhibit patience and a willingness to listen and learn.
- Must exhibit problem solving, critical thinking, and troubleshooting skills.
- Must work well in a collaborative team environment.
- Willing to be playful and curious.
The following abilities are required for the position: (a) Prepare daily camp setup including
installing tents, moving tables, and setting out materials; (b) Stand, kneel and move for extended
periods of time; (c) Climb up and down stairs or use an elevator daily (d) Bend, kneel, climb and
reach; (e) Lift up to 50 pounds; (f) Tolerate noise and dust in the environment (g) Work outside in
the heat and sun for an extended period of time.
Other:
- Must adhere to appropriate dress code.
- Must be available according to a varied work schedule that includes weekdays between 8:00am and 3:30 pm (schedule to be communicated ahead of time).
- Shift assignments dependent on camp registration numbers.
- Must be available for training June 1–5, 2026, from 9:00a–2:00p
HOW TO APPLY:
Download an Application
Please include a cover letter and your resume.
Submit to: [email protected]
or
DuPage Children’s Museum
301 N. Washington St.
Naperville, IL 60540
Attn: Human Resources
Benefit Statement:
DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM) offers paid time off, an Employee Assistance Program, free family membership to the museum, and a 403b plan.
For full time employees (those scheduled to work 30 hours or more per calendar week) in regular (nonseasonal) positions, DCM offers an extensive medical and ancillary benefit package to include:
- Medical insurance through UnitedHealthcare to include two PPO options and an HMO option. Coverage options are employee only, employee and child(ren), employee and spouse/domestic partner, and full family. Deduction cost sharing with each coverage option.
- Dental insurance through UnitedHealthcare. Coverage options are employee only, employee and child(ren), employee and spouse/domestic partner, and full family. Deduction cost sharing with each coverage option.
- Vision insurance through UnitedHealthcare. Coverage options are employee only, employee and child(ren), employee and spouse/domestic partner, and full family.
- Short Term Disability insurance through UnitedHealthcare. Benefits can be up to 60% of an employee’s salary (limitations exist for some preexisting conditions) and may cover day eight through week 13 of missing work and income due to an injury or illness.
- Group life insurance through UnitedHealthcare with a benefit of $25,000. This is an employee only coverage at no cost to the employee
- Supplemental life insurance through UnitedHealthcare. Coverage options for self, spouse, and child(ren) with varying coverage options. Evidence of insurability required above enrollee guaranteed minimum.
- Flexible Spending Account through Flexible Benefit Service LLC with medical, dependent care, transit, and parking enrollment options.
