Summer Camp Trip Leaders

Spend your summer leading backpacking and sea kayaking trips near beautiful Olympia, Washington!

TO APPLY: Visit our website at https://wayaoutdoorschool.com/job-openings

Adventure Camp Instructors (Trip Leaders) are responsible for supervising and leading campers on 3- and 4-day backpacking and sea kayaking trips as well as 1- and 2-night car camping adventures.  Instructors provide kayak/backpacking instruction, manage risk, teach lessons, run activities, organize games, and monitor the health and safety of their group of 10 campers, ages 12-17.  

As part of pre-camp training, Instructors are given a week of overnight sea kayaking and backpacking training.

All staff work Monday-Friday and have weekends off.  Trip Leaders are needed from June 10th until August 29th.

Camp Wa-Ya staff and campers spend most of their day outdoors, engaged in regular activity.  Our programs include hiking, kayaking, and outdoor skills, and Instructors should be prepared to work outside in any weather.  We visit sites in and around Olympia and Instructors are responsible for transporting campers in 12- and 15-passenger vans.  All Wa-Ya staff engage in a culturally integrated environment, where Wa-Ya’s values of respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion are practiced.  

Our program is centered around a science-based curriculum, in combination with Indigenous practices and arts, outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship, and provides an environment that fosters a sense of wonder for Wa-Ya campers.

Visit our website to see job descriptions and more information.  We are also hiring Camp Counselors and Substitute Instructors.

Applications are accepted until the position is filled; we are currently conducting interviews.

Compensation Information

Compensation is $770 per week ($19/hour equivalent).  Any overnight work earns an additional stipend of $100/night.  

Not local to Olympia?  Wa-Ya has local connections to help you find affordable housing during your summer contract.  

DO NOT APPLY ON HANDSHAKE

TO APPLY: Visit our website at www.wayaoutdoorschool.com/2025-openings

Responsibilities: 

● Provide outdoor adventure instruction in sea kayaking, backpacking, and camping. 

● Assist in planning Adventure Trips logistics including travel plans, meal planning and prep, equipment management, trail or route planning, safety protocols, etc. 

● Develop curriculum and create and teach lessons that achieve Wa-Ya’s learning objectives related to environmental education topics and adventure skills. 

● Teach sea kayaking skills (standard paddle strokes tracking and navigation, wet exits, and assisted reentry), backpacking, and camping skills (dressing and packing for the elements, how to pack a backpack, and camp safety), Leave No Trace principles, and outdoor survival skills such as shelter building, water purification, fire building, and navigation. 

● Teach South Puget Sound plant identification, natural history, conservation, marine biology, geology, river systems, survival skills, orienteering, and Indigenous culture. 

● Provide instruction in activities including hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, survival, yoga, mindfulness, and art projects. 

● Ensure the routine integration of tribal culture lessons and activities, with the assistance of Wa-Ya’s Tribal Fellow, as well as visiting Indigenous community leaders. 

● Manage pre-trip preparation and post-trip clean-up each week. 

● Provide care and quality control of Wa-Ya field and adventure equipment and teaching supplies, including maintaining a well-organized and clean equipment storage room. 

● Provide mentoring and direction to Wa-Ya Assistant Instructors and summer interns and actively engage them in daily camp activities, logistics, and lesson delivery. 

● Drive the Wa-Ya vans (12- and 15-passenger) to teaching sites, including periodically towing Wa-Ya’s sea kayak trailer. 

● Engage with parents, guest speakers, board members, and other camp staff. 

● Follow camp policies and procedures and ensure the safety and well-being of all participants at camp

Qualifications: 

Applicants who do not meet all the qualifications listed below but present other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered. If you are excited about this work, please apply! 

● A passion for inspiring and educating youth. 

● Experience working with youth. 

● Experience supervising staff or peers. 

● Experience leading sea kayaking and/or backpacking overnight trips including competency in supporting overnight camping conditions for youth. 

● Knowledge, skills, and abilities to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving, prioritizing, conflict management, and multitasking skills. 

● Demonstrated ability to develop and deliver environmental science and/or outdoor curriculum to kids. 

● Familiarity and experience in at least two of the following: environmental education, outdoor adventure activities, ecological science/research, native cultures. 

● Familiarity with local flora and fauna; and STEAM activities. 

● Experience participating in or teaching adventure-related activities including, but not limited to, kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, and outdoor survival. 

● Curiosity, patience, and reliability. 

● Available to work 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday plus overnight Tuesday-Thursday. 

● Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. 

● Comfortable working outdoors all day in all summer weather conditions. 

● At least 18 years old and/or graduated from high school. 

● Valid driver's license, clean driving record, and ability to pass a background check. 

● First Aid/CPR certified, Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) preferred.