Outdoor Adventure Trip Leader

Camp Merrowvista

Trip Leader Dates
June 8 through Aug. 13

General Overview
Outdoor Adventure Trip Leaders (called Four Trails Leaders) work with a co-leader to support a cabin group of 10 to 12 campers in daily on-site activities and off-site backpacking and canoeing trips and/or service-learning projects. Trips may be 2 to 17 days in length.

Additional Benefits
Leaders will receive one day off for every six days worked
Housing and all meals provided
Camper tuition discount and/or onsite childcare available for dependents

COVID-19 Vaccination
All employees are required to show proof of full vaccination and boosters for the COVID-19 vaccine upon hire.

Specific Responsibilities

• 24-hour leadership and guidance of approximately 12 campers, single-gender identifying or all genders in a cabin setting.
• Live with and eat meals with a cabin group, helping each camper to adjust to camp life and to achieve their personal best.
• Exercise strict adherence to established safety procedures and guidelines for backpacking, canoeing and other outdoor experiences outlined in Trip Leader Handbooks.
• Manage behavioral issues, homesickness, injury or unforeseen circumstances from remote locations in conjunction with your Coordinator and support team at camp
• Demonstrate knowledge of group dynamics by facilitating group activities, guiding discussions, properly debriefing activities
• Learn and teach specific camp craft skills
• Adapt to unforeseen circumstances if program activities need to be altered
• Teach and abide by “Leave No Trace” outdoor ethics
• Use positive behavior reinforcement and human relations skills with campers and other staff
• Complete all requested records and written reports, including all paperwork before and after a trip and end-of-summer letters to camper families
• Establish personal and professional goals for the summer and work towards those goals
• Complete all job functions and other duties as assigned

General Responsibilities

• Encourage leadership development, healthy community living, and AYF mission and values driven practices.
• Protect the safety and health of campers by adhering to community expectations and following all policies and procedures outlined in the Staff Handbook, including our alcohol-, drug-, and tobacco-free camp policy and AYF COVID-19 Staff Eligibility and Expectations.
• Be a positive role model. Set a high standard of respect for self, others, and the space though promptness, language, attitude, and participation
• Instruction in some skilled program activities
• Fully participate in and be present at all community activities
• Instruct campers in safety and health regulations, policies and procedures of camp and behavior.
• Be a risk manager.
• Learn and apply the Four-Fold philosophy and Best Self practices to leadership, instruction and modeling while in camp.
• Actively participate in staff training activities

Necessary Skills for Success

• Applicants must be in excellent physical condition. They will be required to have the stamina and energy to safely lead campers during travel through difficult terrain, in challenging weather and after long days. Able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Applicants must have strong emotional health. They will be required to exhibit good judgment, effective problem solving, and maintain calm to safely lead the children in their care under changing and stressful conditions.
• Be able to maintain focus for extended periods while assessing risks and supervising campers
• Ability to respond to, teach and manage the behaviors of the campers in their care
• Able to effectively manage their emotions to remain focused on what is in the best interest of the campers in their care in a variety of situations.
• Effective communication with youth participants and adult staff across a wide range of identities and backgrounds. Ability to foster positive relationships.
• Ability to respond to and direct campers and/or staff in an emergency
• Ability to understand, promote, actively include, and work effectively with diverse perspectives and identities
• Ability to maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment for campers
• Thorough understanding of critical issues shaping the lives of young people in the U.S., especially racial and gender equity, inclusivity, justice, ethics, and cultural competency

Work Environment

• Position location is in Center Tuftonboro, New Hampshire at the Merrowvista campus and it is required to work onsite during summer.
• The Merrowvista site necessitates the capacity to move through rugged terrain.
• All meals and housing provided during training and program

Preferred Qualifications

• Must be 21 or older and at least one year post-high school graduation experience
• Demonstrate leadership ability and commitment to balanced personal development and excellence.
• Previous trip leading experience preferred.
• Strong teaching/facilitation and leadership skills preferred
• Previous experience with group management, facilitation and outdoor education.
• Current certification in CPR and Wilderness First Responder (training available for accepted candidates).

Recognizing the full value of all, the American Youth Foundation affords equal opportunity for employment and program participation to all individuals on the basis of merit and/or eligibility without regard to race, color, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required for this position.