Wilderness Trip Leader

Camp Nebagamon; Lake Nebagamon (WI); On-site; USD 41,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Room and board

Laundry service

Travel allowance

Job summary

Camp Nebagamon seeks wilderness instructors for the 2026-2027 camping season to lead multi-day backpacking and canoeing trips for youth. You’ll accompany groups on expeditions in Quetico, BWCAW, Isle Royale, and more, with training and backcountry time built in.

Responsibilities include pre-trip planning, risk management, first aid, and post-trip logistics while mentoring campers and collaborating with a co-leader. Housing and meals provided.

Qualifications

• Experience leading groups in backcountry settings.
• Youth camp or school experience with campers.
• Menu planning and backcountry cooking skills.
• Wilderness First Responder certification required.
• Ability to lead multi-day wilderness expeditions.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise groups of 7–8 participants on wilderness trips 2–14 days.
• Collaborate with a co-leader to manage 5–6 excursions and spend ~35 days in backcountry.
• Ensure participant health and well-being; administer first aid/medicine as needed.
• Conduct pre-trip planning, route selection, and menu preparation.
• Maintain field communications with administrators and medical staff via satellite phones.
• Manage post-trip logistics, including equipment inventory and staff briefings.

Skills

Backcountry leadership

First aid

Backpacking skills

Wilderness travel by canoe

Spanish language

Tools

Satellite communications

Job description

Camp Nebagamon is looking for exceptional wilderness instructors for our 2026 camping season. Join our team and lead multi-day backpacking and canoeing excursions for youth participants. Our program takes campers on wilderness experiences in Quetico Provincial Park, Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Isle Royale National Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and more. Dates for the summer of 2027 are5/26/2027 to 8/9/2026, including a three-week staff training period and an eight-week camping session. Working at Camp Nebagamon offers a variety of recreational opportunities as well as the chance to be a part of a professional, vibrant camp community. Salary isnegotiable based on experience starting at $4,000, with bonuses for certifications.Room, board, laundry service, and travel allowance are available.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise groups of 7–8 participants on wilderness trips ranging from 2–14 days.

• Collaborate with a co-leader to manage 5–6 excursions and spend approximately 35 days in the backcountry.

• Ensure participant health and well-being by managing challenging situations and administering first aid/medicine.

• Conduct pre-trip planning, including route selection and menu preparation.

• Maintain field communication with administrators and medical staff using satellite phones.

• Manage post-trip logistics, including equipment inventory, maintenance, and staff briefings.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience leading groups of participants in a backcountry setting

• Prior experience working with youth participants at a camp or school

• Menu planning, backcountry cooking skills

• Prior experience administering first aid in a backcountry or extended care setting

• Prior participant on multi-day wilderness expedition

• Comfortable working with groups of youth participants in a wilderness setting. Conduct conflict resolution when necessary.

• Advanced technical skill sets in wilderness canoe travel and wilderness backpacking

• Strong attention to wilderness risk management practices

• Ability to speak Spanish

Required Qualifications

• Must be able to carry up to 60 lb pack or canoe for extended periods of time

• Must be able to spend up to two weeks in the backcountry, navigating difficult terrain, at times off-trail and in inclement weather conditions

• Must possess current Wilderness First Responder certification

• Must have current Lifeguard or Wilderness Water Safety certification

About Camp Nebagamon

Camp Nebagamon is hallowed ground to thousands of campers who have been coming here since 1929. Located in northwestern Wisconsin, not far from the shores of Lake Superior in the heart of Wisconsin’s Northwoods, Camp Nebagamon is a traditional boys residential summer camp. Our youngest campers have completed the third grade, and the oldest have finished their freshman year of high school. Campers and staff hail from states all over the nation as well as international destinations. We have approximately 230 campers and 130 staff members, and we offer four- or eight-week sessions.

At Camp Nebagamon, we create a refuge from the real world structured to foster and nurture a boy’s development. Through a tremendous level of daily choice, boys are free to explore different talents, interests, and sides of their personalities. Our goal at Nebagamon is NOT to determine who is the best athlete or canoeist or artist…rather, our goal for every camper is that he enjoys participating and learning.