Expeditions Instructor

Expeditions Instructor

Lead campers through all parts of their expedition experience, from pack out, to trip, to pack in. The main objective of expedition programming is to push perceived limits through exploration of places that are not readily accessible.

This position is an onsite, overnight position and must be available the following dates:

Staff Orientation: June 15 - 24

Session 1: June 27 - July 8

Session 2: July 11 - 22

Session 3: July 25 - August 5

Teen Camp and Camp Clean-up: August 8 - 13

Basic function and responsibility includes:

• While on expedition, live in community with co-workers and campers, and provide active supervision and attention to the physical and emotional wellbeing of campers during all on-duty hours.
• Facilitate age and ability appropriate campout activities and provide skill learning opportunities for campers before, during, and after the campout.
• Provide encouragement and support to campers experiencing discomfort in nature, helping them continue to experience new and extraordinary experiences in the outdoors.
• Communicate and enforce all safety policies and procedures with staff and campers while on expedition.
• Inventory, care for, and repair expeditions gear during and between expeditions.
• Actively participate in camp life and programming outside of expedition activities including evening activities, theme days, bus duty, and more.
• In their absence, step in as a substitute for camp counselors, including overnight stays with a cabin of up to 8 campers.

Compensation and benefits include:

• This position is compensated at a rate of $700 per week, pre-tax.
• Summer seasonal staff are paid on a bi-weekly basis and are classified as exempt, seasonal employees.
• All meals are provided during camp sessions.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:

• A belief that with the right support and access to quality programs and experiences, all young people are able to achieve at the highest level imaginable.
• Ability to receive constructive feedback and coaching from supervisor and make necessary adjustments.
• Ability to work collaboratively with co-workers to achieve program objectives.
• Ability to live with, support, and work with all camper age ranges at camp.
• Commitment to being punctual and adhering to a schedule provided by camp leadership.
• Possess strong communications skills and apply them with coworkers and supervisors, maintaining confidentiality of sensitive staff and camper information when necessary.
• Ability to perform job duties in a fast-paced environment and able to embrace change and be flexible.
• Ability to cook meals, sleep outside, and meet basic needs in the wilderness.
• While not required, familiarity with leading groups of people on camping trips would be beneficial.
• While not required, familiarity with the ability to pass PEAK's motor vehicle background check and driver training and safely drive/transport adults and children in PEAK vehicles, including a 12-passenger van.

Educational, certifications, and licensing requirements include:

• Current CPR and First Aid Certification (PEAK can support in attaining).
• Must be at least 18 and/or have a high school diploma/GED before the position start date to apply.

Reporting and relationships include:

• The Expeditions Instructor reports to the Expeditions Coordinator with direction from the Assistant Director of Camp Programs.

Physical and mental demands and working conditions include:

• Staff are required to actively participate in all camper activities, including water-related activities.
• Staff must be ready for new experiences and maintain a consistent level of energy all summer long.
• Position requires standing, stooping, sitting, walking long distances on uneven terrain (5+ miles a day), and occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds with or without assistance.
• Camp activities are often loud, involving many people talking, yelling, cheering, etc., in indoor and outdoor settings.
• The camp environment is often hot, rainy, with bugs or other wildlife. Staff must be able to work outside in a nature setting for sustained periods of time without air conditioning.
• All PEAK Initiative properties, including Lake Valley Camp and the Milwaukee Program Center, are substance-free environments. Smoking, vaping, alcohol consumption, and the use of illicit drugs are strictly prohibited on all property regardless of whether or not staff are on break.
• Staff must be able to walk and perform activities in the dark in an outdoor, nature setting.
• Staff must be able to sleep in a tent outdoors.
• Staff must be able to eat in a dining hall setting with 100+ people. The dining hall will be very busy and very noisy during these times and staff are expected to supervise and sit with their cabins throughout the meals.
• Staff must be able to eat family style meals in a dining hall for 3 meals a day. Sample menus available upon request. With pre-summer notice, the kitchen can accommodate most medical or value-based dietary restrictions.
• Position requires working weekends and nights, with time off in between camp sessions. Camp days are often long and at times require late night camper support, especially for Leadership Team Members and Health Staff. Staff will have daily scheduled breaks. Staff will have a combination of work and on call hours for up to 22 hours a day for several consecutive days.
• Staff must be able to reside in shared housing on the LVC overnight camp property in Boscobel, WI starting with staff training in June and ending after the last camp program lets out in mid-August.
• Staff must be able to live and sleep in housing with campers. Cabins have electricity, but no plumbing. Staff and campers are required to use communal bath houses located within the village.
• Staff may be required to drive 6+ hours in one day, transporting campers or other staff members.

Additional comments:

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

PEAK Initiative is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.