Outdoor Education Camp Lead

Organization

Whitefish Legacy Partners (WLP) is a non-profit organization whose community-minded vision is to ensure conservation, recreation, and education on the lands around Whitefish for future generations. We work to leave a lasting legacy for our community that will include a 55-mile natural surface loop trail around Whitefish Lake (Whitefish Trail) and permanent conservation and community stewardship of lands for water quality, wildlife, and recreation access. The Whitefish Trail is currently 49 miles that winds through forest valleys, 6 pristine lakes, and alpine terrain with 15 trailhead access points.

position description

Whitefish Legacy Partner’s education programs offer people of all ages learning opportunities and social gatherings on the Whitefish Trail in order to foster a legacy of conservation and recreation. Summer youth outdoor education programs run June-August and prioritize getting kids ages 5-16 outside exploring and learning about their local environment.

Reporting to, and under the direction of the Director of Outdoor Education (DOOE), the Camp Lead will independently facilitate 3 weeks of Forest Explorers Camp at the Whitefish Legacy Center (855 Beaver Lake Rd, Whitefish).

About Camp: Forest Explorers Camp offers a unique opportunity for kids ages 8-11 to explore the Whitefish Trail during a 4-day outdoor camp. Campers enjoy fun-filled days with hikes, arts activities, and games while connecting with the natural world and meeting new friends. Whether learning about forest critters, building fairy houses, or capturing the views in a painting, campers learn about the animals and ecosystems that surround them through creativity, play, and exploration.

Camp Dates: Forest Explorers takes place from 8am-2pm, Monday-Thursday. The Camp Lead is expected to arrive with enough time to prep for the day and depart after debriefing with the DOOE, making each day ~7 hours a day.

Week 1: June 15-18

Week 2: July 20-23

Week 3: August 10-13

Responsibilities

• Independently run 3 weeks of Forest Explorers camp at the Whitefish Legacy Center. The first week of camp will include training days with the DOOE.
• Delegate tasks to the camp CIT (counselor in training, aged 13-16) who will be there to assist you with camp operations.
• Mentor the CIT to promote leadership development, outdoor education knowledge, and job skills.
• Manage a group of 15 kids aged 8-11 in an outdoor environment.
• Use WLP resources and curriculum to lead camp activities such as the following: animal track i.d., scavenger hunts, watercolor/clay, hikes, group games, and other nature-based activities.
• Act as an ambassador on the trail educating and assisting trail users
• Communicate with parents at pick-up and drop-off.

Qualifications

• Previous experience working with kids is required.
• Experience teaching and/or working in an outdoor field/outdoor education is preferred.
• Self-motivated; able to multi-task with excellent attention to detail; and can perform successfully without regular supervision
• Reliable transportation is required
• First Aid & CPR certification is required (training can be arranged upon hire).
• Wilderness First Aid preferred but not required.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds and be comfortable hiking 2-4 miles with teaching materials.

Expectations

• 3-week, seasonal position @ ~28 hours/week and $21.50/hour
• At least 1 hour of training/orientation with the DOOE before camp starts (date tbd). The DOOE will also be present for training days during the first week of camp.
• Option to apply for the Whitefish Trail Stewardship Intern Position in tandem to be at ~40/week, mid-June through mid-August. Please let us know if you want to learn more about how we would combine these two positions.