Wilderness Trip Leader
Looking for an exciting journey this summer? Come join our team of passionate staff at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN. We provide a fun and supportive atmosphere for our campers entering grades 7 - 12, to try new activities and forge lasting friendships. We strive to instill a love of the outdoors in our participants, while fostering leadership skills, encouraging effective communication, and living in a communal environment.
Our trips are 1-2 weeks in length and focus on kayaking, canoeing, backpacking, and camping. Our programs also include swimming, , high ropes, outdoor cooking,, rock climbing, and much more! Campers attend our programs from across the United States and abroad to take advantage of our unique location and programs.
WILDERNESS TRIP LEADER RESPONSIBILITIES
Wilderness Trip Leaders are responsible for all planning, pre-arrival packing, and leadership of our canoe, sea kayak, and hiking trips. Previous trip locations have included BWCAW, Apostle Islands, Quetico, Isle Royale, and Split Rock Lighthouses.
GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Serve as role model for students and peers: display maturity, responsibility, flexibility, enthusiasm, and sound judgment
- Teach high quality Wolf Ridge classes to diverse audiences of all ages and backgrounds
- Summer groups include Wolf Ridge’s Summer Programs, Wilderness Trips for teens and families, and visiting school programs
- Teach/work 10-14 periods per week
- A period may include 3-hour long daytime classes, van driving, evening presentations, or 1.5- hour-long evening activities
- Other projects may be substituted for teaching when necessary to fill out the work week
- Participate in staff training and orientation
- Be flexible to accommodate the needs of different programs
- Understand and adhere to all Wolf Ridge policies
- Other duties as assigned
- Other duties as assigned may include, but are not limited to: curriculum kit organization, cleaning of facilities used by groups, setting up activities, etc
Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Skills
- Lead/co-lead teen and family wilderness trips that incorporate education, sound wilderness judgment, and adventure
- As circumstances dictate, and as directed by either Summer Camp Director or Adventure Education Coordinator, fulfill role of camp counselor for wilderness programs
- Act as primary adult responsible for welfare of assigned campers, including sleeping in same room and/or tent with campers (applies to same gender identity), and ensuring proper supervision at all times
- Family BWCA: Act as the Wolf Ridge liaison for visiting family tripping groups
- provide appropriate program and skills orientation
- Participate in wilderness specific training and orientation as deemed necessary by the Wolf Ridge Adventure Education Coordinator
- Participate in planning appropriate program itineraries/schedules and menus
- Prepare/deliver wilderness trail classes
- Execute and teach all skills specific to wilderness program; i.e. kayaking, canoeing, fitting a backpack, etc
- Understand and adhere to all Wolf Ridge wilderness tripping policies and evacuation protocols
Education and Experience
- Required
- 21 years of age or older at time of employment
- Current certifications in Wilderness First Responder, CPR, and Wilderness Water Safety by the time of employment
- Wilderness Water Safety can be acquired during staff training
- Preferred – at least one year of trip leading experience in a backcountry setting
- Demonstrate ability to exercise sound judgment and make informed decisions under dynamic circumstances
- Working towards or completed a Bachelor’s degree at an accredited college or university
- Teaching experience – preferably in unstructured outdoor settings, such as wilderness areas
To learn more about the Wolf Ridge Summer Camp Program check out out video on Youtube at https://youtu.be/gdLfJvzBWEM