Seasonal Outdoor Program Instructor

WHO WE ARE:

Established in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in 1983, Camp Horizons and the Outdoor Learning Center at Horizons is a diverse community working, playing, and learning together, Since our founding, we have been fully accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), an organization that has been ensuring that American summer camps and seasonal Outdoor Learning programs provide only the safest and highest caliber of programming for almost a century.

We are looking for curious, caring, and hardworking staff to lead groups through outdoor education, including environmental education, team building, adventure trips, and more. You’ll develop your skills and love of the outdoors while providing unforgettable experiences for students, scouts, and adult groups.

Apply now to join our outdoor education family and let the adventure begin!

Hemlock Program Instructors are responsible for the care and management of groups while delivering high-quality outdoor & sports programming. They are expected to create a positive atmosphere while establishing opportunities for experiential learning and authentic growth for students and clients. As we consider the outdoors to be a classroom, the instructors are expected to take on a teacher mentality while providing team building and personal development programming, outdoor adventure and guiding, science and environmental education classes, and sports facilitation, among other programing. Our clients include public and private schools, colleges and universities, scout groups, and specialty retreats. Instructors will also be responsible for the logistics before, during, and after a group stay. This includes preparing program areas and facilities, facilitating meals and transitions, developing programming, cleaning, and general maintenance. As we run day programs and our overnight groups arrive with chaperons, our Instructors are not responsible for campers once they are in cabins for the evening. Additional responsibilities between programs will be assigned as needed and will include landscaping, basic maintenance of gear and facilities to maintain the safety and quality of our facility. Moreover, Instructors must be willing to support at multiple facilities and a range of travel-based programs throughout the region.

JOB DUTIES AND RESONSIBILITES:

• Leads activities in caving, canoeing, climbing, archery, field games, environmental classes and evening programming; facilitates high and low rope courses; inspects equipment throughout use to ensure it meets safety standards
• Supports user groups in all aspects; helps user groups establish and achieve goals for their experience; promotes a safe environment where individuals will feel comfortable challenging themselves; recognizes and responds to opportunities for problem-solving with the group; identifies user group needs; helps user group members recognize their potential
• Responsible for keeping user groups on schedule; instructs user groups on proper attire for each day’s activities; monitors behaviors and uses appropriate methods to adjust undesirable behaviors
• Maintains safety at all times; instructs user groups on camp policies and the details of emergency procedures; carries out established role for enforcing camp safety regulations and the supervision of user group health and safety; maintains safety as a primary focus in all activities
• Promotes a safe environment where individuals will feel comfortable challenging themselves
• Responsible for adaptive thinking and problem solving when working with clients
• New construction projects as outlined by the Maintenance Manager
• Performs other miscellaneous duties as assigned

EXPERIENCE:

• 1-year outdoor recreation experience or camp counselor preferred
• Experience working with children preferred (formally or informally)
• Must have experience or comfort with outdoor education, recreation activity, and adventure skills (camping, climbing, paddling, hiking, etc.)

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be 18 and have High School diploma or equivalent
• 21 preferred, with good driving record and ability to drive a 15-passenger van (training provided)
• Current First Aid and CPR (or WFA/WFR) certifications preferred
• Successful completion of a criminal background check

PERKS:

• Paid, high-quality training
• Pay raise for relevant certifications (Lifeguard, WFA, WFR, etc.)
• Complementary onsite housing for full-time staff available, includes private room and shared amenities, WiFi (Learn more about housing on camp!)
• Meals provided during training and most programs
• Rent camp equipment and use facilities in your free time
• Discounts at related facilities and ProOutdoorLinks.com
• Returner bonus!

Terms and Compensation:
The spring Hemlock season is from mid-March through early June. The fall season is mid-August through mid-November. Program Instructors should be available for work 5-6 days a week. Base pay is $105/day, with a $5.00 increment added for each previous season of employment at Horizons, and with each relevant and current national certification.* In the event of program changes, cancellations, or open days during the operating season, Program Instructors may be assigned tasks in facility or equipment maintenance, customer service, hospitality, clerical, or program development.

Training:
All Program Instructors participate in mandatory paid training at the start of each season, with food and lodging provided. Training will be paid as long as the training is completed in its entirety. Training will not be paid if separation of employment happens prior to the end of training.

Housing:
Employees seeking short-term or long-term housing during a season must sign the Employee Housing Agreement in addition to this Employment Agreement and abide by all policies stated within.