Backpacking + Kayaking Trip Leaders

Camp Wa-Ya, in Olympia, WA, is hiring Adventure Camp (Overnight Trips) Instructors. Our Adventure Camp Instructors lead overnight backpacking and kayaking trips for youth ages 12-17 in Western Washington.

All Wa-Ya staff engage in a culturally integrated environment, where Wa-Ya’s values of respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion are practiced.

We are also hiring Day Camp Instructors.

Staff are needed from June 10th until August 29th and work Monday-Friday.

Compensation: Lead Instructors earn $760/week $100/night for overnights.

TO APPLY: Visit our website at www.wayaoutdoorschool.com/Jobs

PLEASE DO NOT apply through really.

Position Overview:

Adventure Camp Instructors are responsible for supervising and leading campers on 4-day, 3-night backpacking and kayaking trips. As part of pre-camp training, Instructors are given a week of overnight sea kayaking and backpacking training.

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.

This position will teach sea kayaking, backpacking, and camping skills including water purification, fire building, and navigation. This position is also responsible for pre-trip preparation and post-trip clean-up each week. Instructors are responsible for driving campers in 12- and 15-passenger vans with a kayak trailer.

Wa-Ya runs a 10-week summer camp program with Day Camp offerings for ages 6-14 and Adventure Camp trips for ages 9-17. Our programs focus on environmental science, Indigenous culture, and outdoor play.

Schedule & Location:

This position is expected to work on-site from June 10-August 29, 2025. All programs run Monday-Friday. Each Adventure Camp trip includes a day in Olympia, followed by the overnight trip Tuesday-Friday. Day Camp shifts are approximately 8 hours, although additional time may be needed for curriculum prep, cleanup, or to provide routine child care.

Camp Wa-Ya is based at Tumwater Historical Park, off of I-5, just south of Olympia, WA. While our days start and end at THP, our campers & instructors travel by van to sites throughout the Olympia area each day.

Compensation:

Compensation for this position is a $760 per week salary ($19/hour equivalent) $100/night for all overnight trips. Adventure Camp Instructors are provided with a week-long overnight kayak training and backpack training and Wa-Ya will pay for your Wilderness First Aid certification.

Wa-Ya has local connections to help you find affordable housing during your summer contract.

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 passionate about this work, please apply!

• A passion for inspiring and educating youth and connecting them to their authentic selves, their environment, science, and Native perspectives.
• 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.
• Valid driver's license, clean driving record, and ability to pass a background check.
• First Aid/CPR certified, Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder preferred.
• All staff should be at least 18 years old and/or graduated from high school by June 20, 2025.

Non-Discrimination Policy: Wa-Ya does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and campers.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $760.00 - $1,060.00 per week

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19