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Wilderness Trip Leader

Camp Tapawingo
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It’s the time of year where your responsibilities are starting to pile up and school is feeling repetitive. Maybe it's cold outside. Maybe you're tired of staring at your computer screen. Have you considered spending your summer outside? Having an opportunity to live the simple life away from technology? Gain hands-on skills and trainings? Help young girls discover the backcountry of Maine and New Hampshire?

Camp Tapawingo is a traditional, all-girls summer camp in Sweden, Maine. Our 200 acres of woods, fields and sandy beaches overlook Mt. Washington and the White Mountains in the Lakes Region of Maine. Each summer, over 100 staff members come from all over the world to teach new skills, grow campers, and make lifelong friends. The Camp Tapawingo trip program offers bunk overnights on site, day hikes, extended backcountry canoe and backpacking trips, and multi-day front-country excursions. The trip program also runs a low and high ropes challenge course on site throughout the summer. 

Minimum Qualifications
  • Completed one year of college or equivalent or at least 21 years of age
  • Training and/or experience in outdoor adventure, challenge events, low and high ropes elements (training provided)
  • Experience and ability to teach children in the outdoors, and on low and high ropes elements
  • Knowledge of equipment used for the subject of expertise
  • Safety conscious
  • Current certifications in First Aid & CPR
  • Certified Lifeguard (obtained before arrival, cost will be reimbursed)
  • Desire and ability to work with children
  • Good character, integrity, and ability to adapt to a camp setting 
  • High level of judgement and decision making skills
  • Ability to work with others and accept supervision
  • Ability to maintain self-control, be flexible, and display a sense of humor and enthusiasm

Responsible To
  • Trip/Ropes Department Heads

General Responsibilities*
  • Assist the Trip Department Head in planning bunk overnights, day hikes, and extended trips
  • Plan age-appropriate, scaffolded ropes course challenge activities for campers of all ages
  • Pack out for each trip and teach skill based lessons to campers of all ages when on trips (fire building, leave no trace, etc) 
  • Allow campers to develop an appreciation for the outdoors 

Pre-Camp Responsibilities*
  • With the Trip/Ropes Heads, set up the program areas
  • Prepare lesson plans and curriculum in order to scaffold ropes lessons 
  • Complete all necessary trainings
  • Take staff groups on a mock hike

Season Responsibilities*
  • When on camp, spend all activity periods either preparing for trips or teaching ropes lessons
  • Differentiate ropes lessons and outdoor skills to ensure they are appropriate for the skill level activities of various campers
  • Oversee proper use of equipment and report needed repairs or replacement needs to your Department Heads
  • Keep records on children's participation and attendance

End of Season Responsibilities*
  • Work with your team of trip and ropes counselors to complete reports on each campers progress and accomplishments
  • Update the departmental report with information on the season (program set up, training, daily scheduling, programming, inventory, recommendations, and equipment needs)
  • Work with your team to take down the trip and ropes areas and pack/store all materials and equipment
Essential Functions
  • Ability to enforce appropriate safety and program procedures
  • Ability to use appropriate behavior management techniques when necessary 
  • Ability to plan and conduct activities to achieve program goals for campers and counselors
  • Ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring emergency procedures
  • Ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activities
  • Ability to lift and move equipment and supplies to maintain operation of the program

Pay & Benefits
  • Base salary $2700+ (Domestic) DOE
  • Non-bunk counselor room and board provided
  • Uniform, linens, towels and laundry provided
  • Partial travel reimbursement provided (Domestic)
  • Paid-for certifications/permits in Wilderness First Aid (WFA), Canoe Skills Training (ACA), Maine Trip Leader, White Mountain NF Guide, and Adventure Ropes Skills (High 5), as well as reimbursement for Lifeguard certification (must be obtained before arrival)
  • Get paid to explore the natural wonders of the American Northeast!

*These are not the only duties to be performed.  Some duties may be reassigned and other duties may be assigned as required.