Field Guide

Adventure Discovery School; Lake Junaluska (NC); On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance stipend

End of contract bonus

Job summary

Adventure Discovery School seeks Field Guides to lead expeditions nationwide, combining teaching, guiding, and coaching. Guides will mentor students in backpacking, canoeing, and other adventure activities, while supporting academic progress and SEL goals.

Role requires strong communication, high energy, and dedication to LD/AuDHD youth. Expect on-campus duties with live-in responsibilities and 24/7 staff support to ensure student safety and growth.

Qualifications

• Must be 21+ years old.
• CPR and First Aid certification current.
• 4 years college or professional experience in the listed fields.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the safety of participants through direct supervision (24/7) during expeditions.
• Assist students in setting personal goals and documenting progress.
• Facilitate schoolwork, homework, and coursework review.
• Apply risk management with autonomy and sound decision-making.
• Serve as the primary support for medication administration and first aid.

Skills

Outdoor Education

Hiking

Backpacking

Canoeing

Rock Climbing

Whitewater Rafting

Group Development

Team Building

Communication

Leadership

Education

4 years of college or professional experience in special/secondary education, recreation therapy, counseling, and outdoor/experiential education

Tools

CPR & First Aid Certification

Job description

Adventure Discovery School was built for neurodivergent teens with ADHD, AuDHD, executive function challenges, and learning differences. We pair personalized academics with social-emotional learning and adventure-based education, so students who haven’t fit anywhere else can finally make sense of school and start to grow.

On Campus, Mentors are a students primary resource throughout the day. This live-in position keeps up with a students holistic development. Mentors work with teachers to link social/emotional learning with academics. On the weekends, Mentors get a wide range of adventure options to choose from when they take groups on day trips.

On Expedition, the guides run the show. Acting as a teacher, a tour guide, and a coach, these staff lead students through two week excursions. Each expedition is to a new destination, with a different style of travel. This includes surfing in Costa Rica, Canoeing in the Okefenokee Swamps, and backpacking through a Smokey Mountain old-growth forest.

Each role is supported by a dedicated administrative support team available 24/7 to assist staff here on campus or far afield.

FIELD GUIDE

JOB DESCRIPTION

Description:

ADS Field Guides have the amazing opportunity to facilitate exciting expeditions all over the country. Throughout the school year, Guides will lead an array of adventure activities, including backpacking, canoeing, camping, climbing, whitewater rafting, snorkeling, and more. Field Guides are role models, facilitators, teachers, guides, mentors, and a source of empowerment for our students to reach their true potential.

Base starting pay:

$2700 per month

$3000 Insurance stipend (paid over 9 months)

$500 End of contract bonus.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure the physical and emotional safety of our participants through direct supervision (24/7) throughout the duration.
• Support students in developing personal goals, utilize creative thinking and problem-solving to assist them in implementing effective strategies, and document their progress throughout the year.
• Facilitate schoolwork, homework, and coursework review.
• Practice sound risk management principles to facilitate the program with a high level of autonomy and decision-making.
• Be the main line of support for our students in Medication Administration & First Aid.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 21 years of age.
• Current CPR and first Aid certification.
• 4 years of college or professional experience in the following fields: special and secondary education, recreation therapy, counseling, and outdoor and experiential education.
• Proven dedication and strong desire to work with LD and AuDHD youth.
• Experience facilitating a successful learning environment.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and decision-making skills preferred.
• Experience and competence in the following skills:
• Outdoor Adventure Education
• Hiking
• Backpacking
• Canoeing
• Rock Climbing
• Whitewater Rafting
• Group Development
• Team-Building Initiatives

Expectations:

• Compliance with all policies and regulations of ADS.
• Understanding that the personal needs of Guides are secondary to the emotional and physical well-being of our participants.
• Utilizing behavior management techniques consistent with the program philosophy at ADS.
• Acting professionally at all times to promote ADS and the profession, and providing students with the appropriate setting in which they may learn from example.
• Ability to walk several miles through mountainous terrain while carrying up to 50 lbs of supplies for yourself and for students.
• Ability to participate in physically demanding outdoor activities, including, but not limited to, boating, climbing, or standing for extended periods of time.
• Ability and willingness to perform emergency first aid in wilderness conditions.