SHAUNA JOSEPH
Plymouth
Summary
Dynamic Outdoor Education Instructor and Overnight Camp Leader with extensive experience at YMCA camps, skilled in program development and risk management. Proven ability to lead engaging activities and foster teamwork among diverse groups. Passionate about outdoor education/recreation and committed to creating inclusive, impactful experiences for youth and adults alike.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Outdoor Education Instructor
YMCA Camp Hanes
King
08.2025 - 11.2025
- Facilitated outdoor activities for youth and adults in diverse environments.
- Collaborated with staff to manage hosting responsibilities, including on-call assistance for on-site groups, running meal times, and collecting feedback in a wrap up meeting with the group leader.
- Led recreational activities including archery, canoeing, climbing, and team building.
- Guided groups in various outdoor education topics such as Water/Forest ecology, animal adaptations, water cycle, force and motion, survival, and orienteering.
- Managed supplies inventory ensuring all necessary items were available prior to start of each session.
- Organized and facilitated outdoor education activities for groups of up to 30 students.
Mountaineers Age Group Leader
YMCA Camp Hanes
King
05.2025 - 08.2025
- Facilitated training sessions to enhance team skills and knowledge.
- Managed the overall running of the Mountaineer Age Group (overnight campers ages 10-12 and their counselors), and reported to the Overnight Camp Director with any relevant news and updates.
- Managed communication between departments for collaborative efforts.
- Coordinated and managed special events and evening programs.
- Provided assistance with conflict resolution among team members.
- Assisted in camper behavior management and behind-the-scenes duties of running the camp.
Environmental Education Instructor
YMCA Camp Thunderbird
Lake Wylie
01.2025 - 05.2025
- Facilitated hands-on outdoor activities, including aerial adventure, alpine tower and giant swing, archery, BB guns, gellyball, pickleball, backyard games, and evening programs such as campfire, dance party, and wacky Olympics.
- Led safety briefings to ensure participant understanding of risk management protocols.
- Instructed various environmental education classes on topics such as astronomy, meteorology, water/forest/wildlife ecology, compass use, fire building, pioneer life, and backyard biology.
- Collaborated with other staff members on repair and inventory of equipment, projects as assigned, daily camp chores, and overall running of camp activities.
Program Services
YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly
Black Mountain
08.2021 - 10.2024
- Facilitated and directed outdoor/indoor activities for groups of all ages, including high ropes challenge courses, climbing, team development activities, archery, crafts, hiking, stream ecology/outdoor education, and survival.
- Trained new staff on the programs team each season, including having them shadow the activities I was running.
- Assisted in other departments as needed including Conference Services, Food Service, Retail, Office Administration, Front desk, Groundskeeping, and Housekeeping.
Director of Teen Girls Division
Camp Waziyatah
Waterford
06.2024 - 08.2024
- Supervised the teen girls division of 65 campers each session and the 20 counselors in the division.
- Led staff training and checked in with all staff throughout the day, ensuring activities are being run safely and effectively at camp.
- Conducted staff evaluations and meetings within my division, providing feedback throughout the season.
- Communicated directly to the camp directors about camper updates/check ins with cabins, and collaborated with other directors during weekly meetings to discuss any conflicts or changes needed to be made at camp.
- Planned and executed evening programs and half staff day events.
Head of Arts Program
Camp Farley
Mashpee
06.2018 - 08.2023
- Started as an arts counselor in summer 2018 and was promoted to Head of the Arts Program in 2019.
- Held various other positions in my summers at camp including Head of the Nature Department, Ropes Course Coordinator, and Archery Supervisor in summer 2022.
- Facilitated and directed programs and staff within the Arts Department, including arts and crafts, performing arts, fine arts, and STEM activities, and also maintained the organization and inventory of the department.
- Assisted in other departments as needed such as Nature, Boating, Sports, Ropes courses, and Archery.
- Designed new evening programs and activities to be offered at camp including a Zumba morning program, various new nature activities, and Teen Time nightly program.
- Assisted in planning and running staff training and held weekly meetings within my department.
Creative Arts Director
Camp IHC
Equinunk
06.2021 - 08.2021
- Coordinated the entire creative arts program and staff for over 600 campers (ages 7-16) for a full 7-week session.
- Creative Arts Programs included Arts and Crafts, Culinary Arts, STEM, Fine Arts, Sewing, Woodworking, and Ceramics.
- Created a new STEM program and workspace for camp activities.
- Managed inventory of the arts supplies, including ordering supplies when needed.
- Held weekly meetings within my department to communicate the necessary information.
- Managed the creative arts' staff schedules and provided feedback and evaluations to staff throughout the summer.
Youth Program Specialist
YMCA Camp Campbell
Boulder Creek
08.2019 - 04.2020
- Educated campers on ecology, the environment, and various outdoor sciences.
- Supervised 30-35 kids per week, living in a cabin with participants as needed.
- Facilitated Child Behavior Management for misbehavior, homesickness, etc.
- Administered outdoor recreational group activities for all ages including high and low ropes, team building, archery, group games, and crafts.
- Provided supervision and activities to YMCA child care sites at local schools in the area.
Education
High School Diploma -
Pope John Paul II High School
Hyannis, MA06.2015
Some College (No Degree) - Performing Arts/Liberal Arts
Cape Cod Community College
West Barnstable, MASkills
- Public speaking
- Risk Management
- Program Development
- Conflict Resolution
- Outdoor activity facilitation
- Child behavior management
- Event coordination
- Staff supervision
- Diversity & Inclusion
- CPR/AED
- Adaptability
- Group management
- Communication
- Leadership development
- High ropes course facilitation
- Team building facilitation
- Environmental education
Certification
- Level 1 Archery Instructor- USA Archery (certified February 2025)
- Level 1 Challenge Course Practitioner (site/system specific)- Challenge Towers (certified February 2025)
- Basics in Rifle Shooting/Range Safety Officer- NRA (certified March 2025)
- Basic Life Support/First Aid/O2- HSI training (Certfied January 2025)
Timeline
Outdoor Education Instructor
YMCA Camp Hanes
08.2025 - 11.2025
Mountaineers Age Group Leader
YMCA Camp Hanes
05.2025 - 08.2025
Environmental Education Instructor
YMCA Camp Thunderbird
01.2025 - 05.2025
Director of Teen Girls Division
Camp Waziyatah
06.2024 - 08.2024
Program Services
YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly
08.2021 - 10.2024
Creative Arts Director
Camp IHC
06.2021 - 08.2021
Youth Program Specialist
YMCA Camp Campbell
08.2019 - 04.2020
Head of Arts Program
Camp Farley
06.2018 - 08.2023
High School Diploma -
Pope John Paul II High School
Some College (No Degree) - Performing Arts/Liberal Arts
Cape Cod Community College