Outdoor Adventure Guide

The American Youth Foundation invites all people to be their own best selves. We seek to create communities where no one is excluded because of who they are. We enthusiastically welcome staff and participants with diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and identities that align with our mission and values. The AYF continually assesses our practices and policies through cultural awareness and inclusivity. Our community understands that we are lifelong learners. We value each person’s right to fully experience our programs free from prejudice and harassment based on race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or other aspects of their identity. We honor and welcome campers and staff of all gender identities, including transgender and gender-expansive individuals.

Job Overview

Four Trails Leader – Outdoor Adventure Guide
Job Description
Reports To: Four Trails Coordinator

Mission
We dare people to discover and celebrate the very best in themselves and others; inspire them to explore diverse perspectives and complex challenges; and embolden them to live courageously, engaging their full capacity.

General Overview: Four Trails Leaders (Outdoor Adventure Guides) in co-leadership pairs lead a cabin group of 10-12 campers and are active leaders in daily activities, both off-site and on-site backpacking trips, canoeing trips and/or service-learning projects. Trips may be 2 to 17 days in length.

Training: Wilderness First Responder certification and Lifeguard Training are included as part of your compensation plan and are required for this role. If you do not yet have a WFR certification, you must come to site by June 1st to complete this training.

TO APPLY CLICK THIS LINK: https://merrowvista.campbrainstaff.com/

Required Employment Dates: June 8, 2023 – August 13, 2023 (earlier in June if you need WFR certification).

Age Requirement: You must be 21 years or older for this position.

PLEASE NOTE: We are an overnight camp and require staff to live on site, full-time for the duration of the employment dates listed above (or off-site on the trail with your campers). Room and board are included in the compensation plan – all meals and living accommodations are communal. Staff are expected to work a camp schedule that ranges from 8am-9pm daily with breaks scheduled throughout when possible. Staff receive one day off for every six days on.

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

Vision for all AYF Employees

• Show commitment to the AYF Core Values of investing in youth, enkindling inner sparks, embracing joy, belonging in community, and growing together.
• Support the organization’s mission, vision, and ethics by displaying the following behaviors:

Integrity, openness, and honesty, listening and understanding, giving, and receiving constructive feedback, seeking a balance between personal and professional lives, dependability, and accountability.

• Follow guidelines as described in the AYF employee handbook.

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
• 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.
• Be familiar with and apply the Four-Fold philosophy and Best Self practices to leadership, instruction and modeling while in camp.
• Actively participate in staff training activities

Specific Responsibilities

• Leadership and guidance of a village of approximately 12 campers, single-gender identifying or all genders.
• Provide 24-hour supervision and mentoring to campers in assigned group in a cabin setting. Live with and eat meals with a cabin group, helping each camper to adjust to camp life and to achieve his/her 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
• Properly fill out all paperwork required before and after a trip
• Set a high standard of respect for self, others, and the space though promptness, language, attitude, and participation
• Use positive behavior reinforcement and human relations skills with campers and other staff
• Complete all requested records and written reports, including 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

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).

Benefits

• Weekly pay: $600
• Leaders will receive one day off for every six days worked

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. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Special Benefits

$600/week

Housing and Meals Provided

FREE Wilderness First Responder and Lifeguard Training Certifications

Transportation from Boston Logan Airport or Manchester NH Airport Provided

Minimum Requirements

• Must be 21 years or older
• Work with youth in education, recreation and/or camp settings
• Leadership experience in higher education, work, community
• Outdoor skills and experiences with hiking, backpacking, boating
• Desire to work as part of a team: collaborative, empathetic, enthusiastic, energetic