What Are Gardening Jobs at Summer Camp?
Gardening Jobs at Summer Camps
Gardening jobs at summer camps are a perfect fit for horticulturalists, agricultural students, and farm-curious educators who love teaching kids where food comes from. From small kitchen gardens at traditional sleepaway camps to expansive market gardens at specialty residential farm camps, gardening staff cultivate one of the most grounding and rewarding programs of the summer. If you love soil, seeds, and watching kids light up when they pick their first tomato, this is your role.
As a gardening instructor at an overnight camp, you’ll teach planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, and food preservation while running daily garden electives. You’ll often work alongside kitchen and farm teams to bring fresh produce to camper meals. Many co-ed residential camps build full kitchen-and-garden programs that connect agriculture, cooking, and nutrition under one program area, giving instructors deep variety throughout the summer.
You’ll teach planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, and food preservation while running daily garden electives. Most sleepaway camps with gardens include daily garden activities throughout the summer camp season.
Horticulture, agricultural studies, environmental education, or working garden experience are all great fits. Comfort with kids, early mornings, and physical work matters most at residential camps with active gardens.
Many do. Residential camps with kitchen and garden programs often maintain raised beds, herb gardens, and vegetable plots. Traditional sleepaway camps may have smaller demonstration gardens used for activities and instruction.
Pay is competitive and commensurate with experience. Overnight camps include room, board, and laundry alongside salary, which adds meaningful value to the overall summer camp package beyond the base figure.
Often yes. Many co-ed residential camps blend gardening with cooking, culinary arts, sustainability, or farm programs. Multi-discipline instructors are especially valued at sleepaway camps building integrated farm-to-table programs.
