Seasonal Guide

Responsibilities :

• Guide backcountry trips from 3 to 15 days.
• Pre and Post-trip duties, including:
  • Packing food and gear.
  • Briefing and debriefing trips.
  • Pre and post-trip paperwork.
  • Maintaining and repairing gear.
• Contribute your experience and knowledge to improve the Crystalaire Curriculum.
• Live on-site at our headquarters in Traverse City, MI. from early June to late August.
  • With free room and board included- although you’ll have to cook for yourself on trail.
  • (It’s a pretty sweet place to live- our property is on an isthmus between Lake Michigan and Lower Herring, and you’ll have access to our canoes, sailboats beaches, sand dunes, etc. on days off).
• Assist in day-to-day operations of our sister program, Camp Lookout, as necessary.
• Other duties.

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

What we look for :

• Valid Wilderness Medicine Certification (WFA or WFR).
• Prior experience leading trips, working with youth and/or managing groups.
• An interest in experiential education.
• Proficiency in outdoor skills such as cooking, woodcraft, canoeing.
  • Skills that diversify the Crystalaire team are especially valuable- tell us what sets you apart.
• Flexible, team-oriented hard workers.

Why work here

What makes us different?

• Voice and choice: Participants have complete agency over their experience. They build the itinerary and meal plan, and choose their activities. Your job is to facilitate!
• Building community: Our trips build lifelong friendships! You help them create norms and expectations, make group decisions and manage conflict.
• Time outside: We visit some of the most beautiful destinations in the midwest!

What’s in it for you?

• 25-40 days in the backcountry changing lives for the better!
• Free housing in beautiful Traverse City, Michigan!
• Be part of a close-knit community of fun loving peers!
• Gain valuable interpersonal and organizational skills for a career in the outdoors or otherwise.

See what past guides have to say:

“Kids are smart: they know when their leaders are disconnected. But when you bring them into the mix, all are equal. I think we’re different from other agencies because we minimize the barriers between guides and participants. We tread the line of partners and leaders, and that's where the magic happens." -Cal, 2018-19

“I don’t know why it works but it does. Something about small groups, close staff, and great kids. I think we’re just always trying to be better. Every trip is supposed to be the best trip. Every meal, every meeting. And we’re all friends, which makes it better.” -Abby, 2019