Wilderness Trip Leader

Summary

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 Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Superior Hiking Trail, Isle Royale, and Split Rock Lighthouse. Wolf Ridge Summer runs from June 10-August 18, 2024.

General Duties of a Wilderness Trip Leader

• 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 Programs 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 Programs 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
• Make decisions regarding participant safety by understanding environmental factors as well as group ability/social dynamics in a wilderness setting

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

Compensation

• $330/week paid biweekly
• Plus lodging; meals available when dining hall is open
• 50% reimbursement of Wilderness First Responder training applied to first paycheck during summer season