Summer Trip Leader

Wilderness Kids Alexandria (WKA) seeks experienced, dynamic educators to co-lead a summer 15 day outdoor experience in natural areas of Virginia with young people aged 12 to 14 from under-resourced families.​ If you're a dynamic outdoor educator or have experience lived or worked among the communities we serve, please apply.

The Basics:

Our Summer Trip Leaders will:

• work with a Co-Leader and an Assistant Trip Leader to provide an enriching experience that includes activities such as backcountry backpacking; paddling; rock-climbing; day-hiking; and camping. 
• guide students through activities from the WKA Curriculum Manual as well as through “in-the-moment” activities created by the Leaders.
• assure the physical and emotional well-being and safety of all students.
• report to the Trip Coordinator on a regular basis
• participate in a 3 day training period, prior to the Summer Trip; and a one-day debrief following the trip.

Dates:

Training: Wednesday to Friday, June 22-23-24 (lodging provided)

Trip: Sunday June 26 to Sunday July 10

Post Trip Debrief: Monday July 11

Compensation:

$1500 for Trip Leaders; based on experience for Asst. Trip Leaders.​

Additional Detail:

Trip Leaders are dynamic and creative, empathetic and sensitive, adventurous and courageous. At any given moment, they may be a lesson leader, a bedtime storyteller, a shoulder to cry on, a conflict mediator, or a raucous game player. 

Trip Leaders live and sleep in front-country and backcountry campsites alongside campers and fellow staff. They accept challenges alongside participants and guide the community through new experiences and activities.​​

Staff are expected to meet the needs of a vibrant and diverse community, and to cultivate radical inclusion as they foster the growth and development of their campers, other staff, and even themselves.

We actively seek and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities in areas including, but not limited to race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability. We welcome questions and open discussion about this commitment throughout the application process.

Job responsibilities

Leading Others

Educating, Facilitating, & Guiding: 

• Work collaboratively to organize and lead a variety of small and large group activities, including hiking, swimming, crafts, art, nature, singing, games, rock climbing, canoeing, etc.
• Plan and carry out safe, challenging and fun wilderness backpacking excursions.
• Lead chores with enthusiasm and fun.
• Coordinate with Program Partners (e.g. Climbing or Paddling Instructors) to assure a safe and fun experience for WKA students.
• Supervise campers in the preparation of three meals per day.​

Modeling Behavior & Communicating Well: 

• Cultivate participants' spirit and a love of play—within yourself and others.
• Provide space and encouragement to let campers be leaders.
• Model flexibility and resilience when plans shift due to unforeseen circumstances.​
• Communicate regularly and clearly with campers, co-leaders, and other WKA staff.
• Solve problems proactively and collaboratively.
• Ensure that sites that we visit are kept clean and organized, and left better than they were found.

 
Safety and Wellness

• Know, understand, and implement as needed all emergency procedures associated with the experience; 
• Know, enforce, and follow all safety guidelines associated with the experience.
• Be responsible for campers’ safety and their whereabouts at all times and provide a safe place and source of protection for children.
• Identify and respond to camper emotional and behavioral issues, recognizing for many, and perhaps all, WKA students this will be their first experience of extended camping
• Be aware of and take care of your own needs.
• Be attentive to the health and hygiene of the campers.​

Foster Community​

• Demonstrate inclusiveness and respect for all people.
• Empower campers and staff to express their individuality within the structure of the community.
• Be flexible in leadership style, tailoring to fit individual camper needs.
• Assume responsibility for the community by actively engaging in solving problems.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for camp activities by playing, working, and creating with campers (rather than only supervising) and encourage others to join activities.
• Engage with other adults in the community such as camper’s family members, Program Partners, other WKA staff, etc.
• Demonstrate and encourage interest in nature, sustainability, and care for the environment.
• Embrace and celebrate an “unplugged” culture that centers around human interactions and the wonder of nature rather than focusing on technology.
• Maintain a youth-centric attitude that allows each camper to feel loved, supported, encouraged, and celebrated.
• Help challenge each member of the community physically, mentally and emotionally. Push or respect boundaries, as appropriate. WKA programs are always challenge by choice.​
• Set and maintain clear, appropriate boundaries with campers.​

Required Qualifications

• Wilderness First Aid, or the willingness to get certified, required. Wilderness First Responder Certification, strongly preferred. (WFA for Assistant Trip Leader preferred.)
• Experience working with children, ideally in an outdoor setting, ideally with children of middle-school age.
• Enthusiasm to lead, plan, organize, and implement engaging program activities
• Ability to work as a member of a team and the ability to accomplish tasks with little direct supervision.
• Respect for and appreciation of young people
• Commitment to abide by and enforce camp regulations including policies on youth safety, drug, alcohol and tobacco use.
• Good judgment.
• Willingness to take direction from Administrative staff as necessary in fulfillment of job duties.
• Sense of adventure and ability to live rustically.

 
Strongly Preferred Skills and Experiences

• Experience, lived or worked, among communities that have historically faced discrimination in the United States, including but not limited to BIPOC and immigrant communities.
• B.A. or B.S. degree, for Co-Leaders; High School graduation for Assistant Leader. Education, Environmental Science, Outdoor Ed and similar majors encouraged to apply.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Interest and experience with wilderness skills, games, music, and arts activities (visual, theater, etc.)

 
Physical Demands

• Counselors lead and participate in camp activities which include, but are not limited to, hiking, canoeing, swimming, team building initiatives, physical games, and activities.

How to apply:

To apply, please visit https://www.wildernesskidsalexandria.org/summer-trip-leader where you will see the full job description and, at the bottom, a link to the job application form, where you will answer a few questions and submit your resume.

To learn more about WKA in general, please visit www.wildernesskidsalexandria.org.