Wilderness Trip Leader

Camp Mishawaka seeks to hire wilderness trip leaders from June 2nd-August 9th. Under the direction of the trip director, the trip leaders oversee Camp Mishawaka’s wilderness tripping program (including all trip planning and preparations) and ensure that trips are conducted in a safe manner, equipment is functional, used properly and stored correctly, and that any awards are distributed in a consistent, transparent fashion.

Wilderness trip staff lead trips at iconic Northland locations including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Isle Royale National Park, Voyageurs National Park and the Superior Hiking Trail. More about the variety and extent of Mishawaka’s tripping program can be found here.

Camp Mishawaka provides extensive training including Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness Water Safety certifications. Our trip leaders are paid for training and Camp Mishawaka covers the cost of certification courses. This is an excellent opportunity for educator looking to transition into a wilderness education role.

Qualifications:

• Availability between June 2 and August 9
• Be 18 years of age or older by time of employment
• Eligible to work in the United States
• Previous experience planning and leading children on extended, overnight wilderness trips
• Must have or be able to attain a CPR, Wilderness First Aid, and Lifeguard or Wilderness Water Safety certification
• Must be comfortable in a wilderness environment, physically fit, and be able to lift and carry a 50 lb. backpack for a considerable time and distance.
• Be able to cook meals for ten people in a backcountry kitchen, or the willingness to learn and practice outdoor cooking.
• Extensive experience in wilderness camping or leading organized groups in the outdoors preferred
• Experience in backcountry canoeing preferred
• Climbing wall or high ropes experience preferred

Competencies:

• Enjoy working with children!
• Cultural competence and enthusiasm for working with a diverse and dynamic community
• Ability to communicate with peers, campers, and parents, including written correspondence and record keeping.
• Ability to observe and assess, by sight and sound, dangerous situations and behavior that endangers the camp community.
• Physical ability to move independently from place to place throughout a multi-acre, outdoor camp, maintain your cabin area, including routine cleaning chores and assisting campers in need.
• Capable of appropriate responses in a variety of situations that arise when working with children including regulation of emotions.

Working Conditions

• While at camp, wilderness trip leaders will be housed in shared staff housing.
• You get to play games and be outside every day.
• Room, board, laundry, and utilities are all covered
• On days off, staff are free to explore the town of Grand Rapids, rest on campus, or check-out Mishawaka equipment like paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes. Staff have access to a camp vehicle on days off to help make visits off campus more accessible.
• Warm, welcoming, and community oriented working environment.