Wilderness Trip Leader

Alpengirl Camp

There’s more to adventure camp leadership than hiking and playing games. The job of an Alpenguide is all-encompassing and integral to the Alpengirl experience. The person that excels at this job has a balanced combination of hard and soft skills, and employs both appropriately to benefit the campers in their care. Alpenguides are responsible, trustworthy, positive role models that are committed to FUN! An Alpenguide team consists of 2 Alpenguides who lead groups of 6-12 campers for 8-14 days and receive support from staff at the Alpengirl office. Alpenguides will…

• Supervise girls ages 11-16, who may be new to adventure camps/wilderness environments
• Lead multi-day backpacking trips and canoeing adventure activities
• Teach outdoor living, camping skills, and Leave No Trace ethics
• Maintain a constant awareness of and provide attention to individual camper needs
• Assess and manage environmental and human risks
• Provide wilderness medical care
• Drive campers in 15 passenger vans with trailers
• Communicate with parents, contracted activity outfitters, and camp director
• Complete written reports and evaluations
• Plan menus, purchase food and prepare meals on outdoor stoves
• Manage group dynamics
• Make decisions that benefit the group as a whole

EMPLOYMENT DATES 

Attendance at staff training in Montana June 10-17 is mandatory. A full summer season is from June 10 through August 10. Full and partial summer commitments are available.

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 20 years old (age 21+ preferred)
• Completed at least 1 year of college (college graduates preferred)
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) with Epinephrine Auto-injector certification (Wilderness First Responder WFR preferred, WMI-NOLS certifications preferred)
• Adult CPR/AED certification
• Valid driver's license with driving record and clean criminal background record
• Previous experience leading backpacking trips
• Previous experience with youth outdoor education and leadership
• Ability to perform positively and maintain self-care with very limited personal time or time off
• Fun lovin’ attitude and superhuman power of some kind!

ADDITIONAL DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Lifeguard certification 
• Leave No Trace certification
• Backcountry Food Handlers certification
• Previous experience driving 15-passenger vans 
• Previous experience leading canoe trips or instructor certification
• Yoga instructor certification and/or yoga experience 
• Two or more seasons of experience working with teenagers in a camp/outdoor education setting
• Knowledge of and/or experience with the geographic area of trip
• Experience teaching science and/or natural history