Summer Kayaking & Backpacking Trip Leaders

Camp Wa-Ya, is an environmental education and Indigenous culture-focused camp that offers day and overnight programs.  We are looking for TRIP LEADERS to lead week-long backpacking and sea kayaking trips in Western Washington.  We are also looking for LEAD DAY CAMP COUNSELORS.

Summer staff are needed from June 12th until August 30th and work Monday-Friday.  (That’s right – weekends off!)

TO APPLY: Visit our website at www.wayaoutdoorschool.com/2024-openings 

Lead Adventure Camp Instructors (Trip Leaders) are responsible, with the support of an Assistant Adventure Camp Instructor, for supervising and leading campers on 4-day, 3-night backpacking and kayaking trips.  As part of pre-camp training, Instructors are given a week of intensive overnight sea kayaking and backpacking training.  Instructors provide kayak/backpacking instruction, manage risk, teach lessons, run activities, organize games, and monitor the health and safety of their group of 10 campers, ages 12-17.  

Lead Day Camp Instructors (Counselors) are responsible for managing a group of 9-13 campers with the support of an Assistant Day Camp Instructor.  This position creates and teaches lessons, runs activities, and organizes games for their campers.  Our lessons are centered around a science-based curriculum, in combination with Indigenous practices and arts, outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship, and provide an environment that fosters a sense of wonder for Wa-Ya campers.  

Wa-Ya runs a 10-week summer camp program with Day Camp offerings for ages 6-13 and Adventure Camp trips for ages 12-17.  Camp Wa-Ya staff and campers spend most of their day outdoors, engaged in regular activity.  Our programs include hiking, kayaking, and outdoor skills, and Instructors should be prepared to work outside in any weather.  We visit sites in and around Olympia and Instructors are responsible for transporting campers in 12- and 15-passenger vans.  All Wa-Ya staff engage in a culturally integrated environment, where Wa-Ya’s values of respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion are practiced.  

All staff should be 18 years old and/or have graduated from high school by June 20th.  If you are coming from out of the area, Wa-Ya can assist with finding affordable housing for the summer.