- Wages/Pay
- $110.00 - $220.00 / day
- Experience Level
- Some experience required
- Job Start Date
- Sep 14, 2026
NOW INTERVIEWING FOR THE 2026-27 SCHOOL YEAR
Big Bear City CA
Join a fantastic community of young and energetic educators at a residential outdoor education center as we work to open the eyes of city-based kids to the wonders and beauty of nature. Contracts from September 14, 2026 - May 28, 2027
Work in the mountains of Southern California teaching elementary students!
Two shifts are available, with instructors moving regularly back and forth between them.
Field Instructors take students on hikes during the day and teach about ecology and teamwork.
Cabin Instructors supervise students overnight and sleep in cabins in the forest.
The schedule is a traditional school year, school week, with weekends and school holidays off.
Continuing education to help you become a better teacher.
PAY
Adding everything together, the value of the first-year instructor wage package is calculated at $182 per workday. This includes daily wage, housing, food, and health insurance. Additional stipend for training, pro deals, travel reimbursement, and clear paths to Level Up and earn more money. See here for the breakdown of pay and benefits.
Interviewing now for September 2026 start!
OUR PROGRAM IS UNIQUE IN CALIFORNIA! We are a small, upstart company that managed to jump into the (relatively...) big league of outdoor education. We believe we can make a difference, make a living, and be happy all at the same time. We walk the fine line of telling you what to do and encouraging you to take ownership in the program.
OUR CORNER OF THE COUNTRY IS PRETTY DARN COOL! We are based in Big Bear, the coolest mountain town in Southern California; no other outdoor ed center is based here. From mountains to deserts to beaches, with a little small-town atmosphere close by and a lot of big-city amenities within a couple of hours...pretty nice...
OUR WEBSITE TELLS IT ALL! Need more details? Want so many details you'll be overwhelmed? Head over to hightrails.com and you'll see why we believe we're the most progressive place in the country.
See Staff Blog Posts here: http://dirtyclassroom.com/dirticulum/
Contact Info
- Leslie Porst
- work@dirtyclassroom.com
- (800) 428-1851
- dirtyclassroom.com
High Trails Outdoor Science School
Started in 2000, High Trails is a Big Bear-based small business that focuses on residential outdoor education for California elementary and middle schools and their students. Our teach are passionate for the outdoors and education with significant professional development throughout the school year. This is where to come to learn to be a teacher!
- Location
- California
- Season
- Spring, Fall, and Winter
- Staff size
- 30
- Housing
- Whether included in the compensation package or provided at a cost, housing is provided for staff.
- Housing details
- Residential homes, fully furnished, single and double occupancy rooms, part of your compensation package
- Family housing available
- No
- Pet friendly
- No
- Meals
- Provided
- Cell phone service
- Yes, most carriers
- Internet access
- Good
