Day Camp Instructors and Trip Leaders at Nature-Based Camp

Camp Wa-Ya, an outdoor summer camp based in Olympia, WA, offers Day Camp and Adventure Camp (overnight trips) programs that intertwine outdoor adventure, science education, and Indigenous knowledge with a love of local South Sound landscapes.

We are currently hiring Lead & Assistant Day Camp Instructors (and Substitute Instructors) and Lead & Assistant Adventure Camp (Overnight Trips) Instructors. We also offer an Indigenous Fellowship for a person connected to the Indigenous community to develop leadership and outdoor instructor skills. Summer staff are needed from June 15th until August 29th and work Monday-Friday.

Lead Day Camp Instructors 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 group of 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.

The Lead Adventure Camp Instructor is responsible, with the support of an Assistant Adventure Camp Instructor, for supervising and leading campers on a variety of trips. We offer 3 day/2 night and 4 day/3 night backpacking and kayaking trips, a week-long car camping road trip, and 1- and 2-night camping trips in nearby state parks. Adventure Camp Instructors should be willing to lead all of these programs, for kids ages 9-17. As part of pre-camp training, Adventure Camp Instructors participate in a week of sea kayaking and backpacking training.

Wa-Ya runs a 10-week summer camp program with Day Camp offerings for ages 6-13 and Adventure Camp trips for ages 9-17. 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.

Compensation for these positions are $680-$760 per week ($17-$19/hour equivalent) plus $100/night for overnight trips. We will also cover First Aid & CPR and other related training for the right candidate.

Wa-Ya has local connections to help you find affordable housing during your summer contract.

Responsibilities:

• Develop curriculum and create and teach lessons that achieve Wa-Ya’s learning objectives related to environmental education topics.
• Teach South Puget Sound plant identification, natural history, conservation, marine biology, geology, river systems, survival skills, orienteering, and Indigenous culture.
• Provide instruction in activities including hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, survival, yoga, mindfulness, and art projects.
• Ensure the routine integration of tribal culture lessons and activities, with the assistance of Wa-Ya’s Tribal Fellow, as well as visiting Indigenous community leaders.
• Assist with weekly preparation and camp clean-up.
• Provide care and quality control of Wa-Ya field and adventure equipment and teaching supplies, including maintaining a well-organized and clean equipment storage room.
• Provide mentoring and direction to Wa-Ya Assistant Instructors and summer interns and actively engage them in daily camp activities, logistics, and lesson delivery.
• Drive the Wa-Ya vans (12- and 15-passenger) to teaching sites, including periodically towing Wa-Ya’s sea kayak trailer.
• Engage with parents, guest speakers, board members, and other camp staff.
• Follow camp policies and procedures and ensure the safety and well-being of all participants at camp.

Qualifications:

Applicants who do not meet all the qualifications listed below but present other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered. If you are passionate about this work, please apply!

• A passion for inspiring and educating youth and connecting them to their authentic selves, their environment, science, and Native perspectives.
• Experience working with youth.
• Experience supervising staff or peers.
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving, prioritizing, conflict management, and multitasking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver environmental science and/or outdoor curriculum to kids.
• Familiarity and experience in at least two of the following: environmental education, outdoor adventure activities, ecological science/research, native cultures.
• Familiarity with local flora and fauna; and STEAM activities.
• Experience participating in or teaching adventure-related activities including, but not limited to, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, and outdoor survival.
• Curiosity, patience, and reliability.
• Available to work 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
• Comfortable working outdoors all day in all summer weather conditions.
• Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and ability to pass a background check.
• First Aid/CPR certified, Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder preferred.
• All staff should be at least 18 years old and/or graduated by June 20, 2025.