Wilderness Trips Coordinator - Live Onsite, Housing & Meals

American Youth Foundation; Michigan; On-site; USD 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Meals provided

Job summary

The American Youth Foundation seeks Four Trails Program Coordinators to supervise staff and oversee 2-16+ day wilderness trips for middle and high school campers. The role is onsite at camp with weekend and evening availability, housing and meals provided, and a strong emphasis on safety and program quality.

You will lead training, support trip leaders, coordinate logistics, and manage camper wellbeing while fostering inclusive, engaging programming in rugged terrain.

Qualifications

• Minimum age: 21 years old.
• Wilderness First Responder certification and CPR (training provided).
• Ability to drive a 15-passenger van and pass a driver's background check.
• 2-3 years of experience in outdoor adventure education or leading wilderness trips.
• Highly developed outdoor skills: camping, hiking, canoeing, backpacking, cycling, navigation, and cooking.
• 2-3 years working or volunteering with youth in recreational or educational settings.
• Professional experience as a peer supervisor, or 2-3 years of student leadership; demonstrated positive leadership with young adults.
• Strong facilitation/teaching skills.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written; strong organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively manage people in a way that positively supports their development.
• Strong emotional and mental health. Must be adaptable and exhibit good judgement to determine what is in the best interest of the campers in their care.
• Support the organization’s mission and vision with integrity, dependability, and accountability.
• Interact effectively with individuals and groups respecting social and cultural diversity. Establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships and interpersonal skills that contribute to a positive community.
• Demonstrate passion for serving youth, encouraging campers to explore through play and creating a space where youth feel included and a sense of belonging.
• Fully participate in and be present at all camp community activities, including staff training activities.
• Maintain effective mental, emotional, and social interactions in our youth-centered residential summer camp program.
• Ability to handle stressful situations appropriately, maintaining mental, emotional, and social resiliency needed for the job in a fast-paced, interactive environment.
• Use effective and appropriate self-care practices for maintaining overall wellness.
• Follow all guidelines and policies as described in the AYF (American Youth Foundation) staff manual.

Responsibilities

• Staff Management and Supervision: Assist with supervising a team of Four Trails Leaders, providing training and daily support.
• Staff Management and Supervision: Offer guidance and coaching to staff on conflict resolution, group management, activity facilitation, wilderness skills, and risk management in the backcountry.
• Staff Management and Supervision: Assist with facilitating Four Trails staff training, teaching skills and procedures necessary to run effective and safe adventure trips.
• Staff Management and Supervision: Evaluate the performance of each Four Trails Leader, providing formal evaluations.
• Staff Management and Supervision: Support trip leaders with programming, facilitation, and camper challenges that may arise.
• Trip Logistics and Support: Prepare logistics for multi-day (2-16+ day) backpacking, paddling, and cycling trips through rugged terrain to primitive campsites.
• Trip Logistics and Support: Work alongside the Logistics team to ensure groups have appropriate gear, food, and resources.
• Trip Logistics and Support: Assist with oversight of trip groups while on trail.
• Trip Logistics and Support: Teach campers appropriate-level backcountry skills.
• Camper and Program Support: Primarily responsible for the health, safety, and wellbeing of campers.
• Camper and Program Support: Appropriately manage behavior challenges and conflict with a sense of respect for young people and a focus on developing the social-emotional health of campers; manage individual and group behavior, resolving conflict and enforcing community standards of respect for all.
• Camper and Program Support: Facilitate highly engaging activities for campers in various blocks, including community time and evening games, and create and lead activities for Four Trails campers when onsite.
• Camper and Program Support: Participate in all camp programming: early morning and evening activities, meals, and daily reflections; assist In-Camp and Activities teams as needed.
• Camper and Program Support: Communicate with camper families as necessary.
• Camper and Program Support: Build relationships with campers to foster friendly, nurturing, and age-appropriate group dynamics.
• Emergency Response and General: Respond to emergencies such as injury, illness, behavioral incidents, and inclement weather 24 hours a day, sharing on-call responsibilities with the Four Trails Manager (except on days off).
• Emergency Response and General: Ensure the safety of campers at all times, following and implementing all safety standards, and assist campers in need throughout the day and night.
• Emergency Response and General: Assist in emergency response situations and provide administrative support to the Directors.
• Emergency Response and General: Actively participate in all camp activities with enthusiasm, creating an inclusive environment that encourages all campers to participate.
• Emergency Response and General: Provide mentorship and connection to all campers in the community with whom you interact.
• Emergency Response and General: Model responsibility and compassion for campers in all activities.
• Emergency Response and General: Communicate daily with supervisor, attend staff meetings, and receive guidance and instruction.
• Emergency Response and General: This is not meant to be a complete list of all responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned.

Skills

Wilderness leadership

Safety supervision

Youth development

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Teaching skills

Tools

Driver’s license

CPR certification

Job description

The American Youth Foundation seeks Four Trails Program Coordinators to supervise staff and oversee 2-16+ day wilderness trips for middle and high school campers. The role is onsite at camp with weekend and evening availability, housing and meals provided, and a strong emphasis on safety and program quality.

You will lead training, support trip leaders, coordinate logistics, and manage camper wellbeing while fostering inclusive, engaging programming in rugged terrain.