Trip Leader and Counselor

Trip Leader & Counselor Position Description: 

Trip Leaders & Counselors work with a small team of co-workers to provide a summer adventure-based program for DC youth. Our mission is to inspire confidence and leadership in children and teens from Washington, D.C. We provide a multi-year experiential curriculum focusing on outdoor adventure, backcountry trips and personal growth during three 16-19 day summer sessions. Base camp is our beautiful property, Broken Arrow Ranch, in Hoback Junction just south of Jackson Hole.     

Position Responsibilities

Trip Leaders & Counselors work on teams of two counselors and are directly supervised by a Lead Program Staff to facilitate outdoor experiences for 1 cabin group.   Primary responsibilities include youth mentoring and care, daily activity implementation and trip leading. 

The responsibilities of a Trip Leader and Counselor are multifaceted and include all of the following; 

Youth Mentoring- Develop a positive, authentic and proactive relationship with participants, be a role model, facilitate team and personal growth.  

• Demonstrate warmth, caring and respect for youth through intentional interactions
• Provide a listening ear, guidance, individual attention and support to youth
• Show consistency in structure, boundaries, behavior and communication to build trust with youth
• Model and support campers in following City Kids honor code and behavioral expectations
• Establish group norms to facilitate supportive community and group dynamics for youth.
• Create opportunities for youth to make choices and have meaningful responsibility.
• Create an environment that helps each youth know, accept, and take pride in oneself and develop a sense of independence. 

Activity and Trip Leader- Responsible for planning and leading daily activities, outdoor living skills lessons, sports and games, day trips, and multi-day backcountry trips with a co-leader or team of co-leaders. 

• Prepare  and lead daily activities including team-building games and activities, swimming, sports, arts & crafts, etc.
• Teach “Outdoor Living Skills” (OLS) lessons to prepare youth for upcoming off-ranch outdoor trips, including basic camping skills, backpacking, canoeing, etc.  
• Lead group meetings, facilitate debriefs and group conversations before, during, and after trips
• Understand and implement City Kids trip policies and procedures 
• Co-lead outdoor adventure day trips include off-site day adventures including hiking trips, canoeing, white water rafting (guided), white water kayaking (guided), community service trips, visits to special events or to town.  
• Co-lead multi-day backcountry trips ranging from 3 to 10 days, with most trips averaging 3-4 days.   Responsibilities include:
  • Managing the emotional and physically safety of campers and JCLs
  • Manage the basic needs of campers & JCLs including;  food, hydration, shelter, medical needs, appropriate dress and layering
  • Manage and instruct campers and JCLs on basic risk management in the backcountry including self-care, kitchen safety, wildlife, weather, and activity related risks.
  • Navigate on-trail terrain using maps
  • Teach basic canoe and paddle strokes 
  • Manage risks of paddling on open-water in alpine lakes

Cabin counselor- Responsible for the daily care, health and safety of a cabin of 5-8 campers and 1 JET.  Prepare campers for activities and trips, lead daily reflection, and night cabin activities. 

• Provide high quality auditory and/or visual supervision of campers when on duty
• Wake up campers daily, prepare and pack for the day's activities, ensure campers have the correct clothing, gear, water, and food for the day.  
• Lead daily cabin clean up in your cabin and daily camp chores for the community
• Supervise meals 
• Supervise showers and prepare campers for bed each night
• Lead daily reflection activities at the end of the day
• Check-in daily with each camper; reflect on the day, discuss challenges and successes, set goals for tomorrow.
• Supervise siesta and other moments of down-time.
• Ensure youth are eating well, staying hydrated, and caring for personal hygiene
• Administer and record medications as required or as needed

JET supervisor- Primary supervisor for 1-2 youth leaders, called JET Camp Leader (JCL) throughout the course of the session.

• Assign daily tasks and responsibilities
• Facilitate opportunities for leadership and growth for JCL’s within cabin and on trips
• Oversee adherence to daily schedule and assign break opportunities
• Enforce and Uphold“JET Behavioral Expectations”
• Care for daily basic emotional and physical needs of JCLs
• Engage in a daily check-in process; including listening to the JCL’s experience of the day and providing coaching for growth and celebrate successes
• Participate in 2 formal evaluation sessions with the JCL and Camp Director or JET Manager

Staff work as a team directly with the Camp Director, Program Director and Program Managers to implement the program. This is a residential position and thereby is not limited to these stated responsibilities. Everyone at camp shares responsibility for day-to- day tasks, which are an integral part of living in a small close-knit community.

Training & Required Certifications:

Contract includes a required paid 10-day City Kids staff training and 2 days of paid  pre-arrival training.   Staff are responsible for engaging with a growth mindset towards their own learning.  

Required Certifications 

• Current (by start date of contract) CPR, Wilderness First Aid or higher certification. Wilderness First Responder and lifeguard strongly preferred. 
• Driver’s license strongly preferred
  • Valid, clean driving record and 2+ years of driving experience.  

Position Qualifications:

Trip Leader & Counselors are entry level positions to the organization.  We are looking for motivated, hard-working individuals with a passion for our work.  Below are categories of experiences and qualifications we are looking for. 

         Youth Experience

• Experience working with children in outdoor, camp or other residential settings, trip leading preferred.
• Competence in teaching, counseling, and guiding youth in a variety of settings
• Ability to provide appropriate structure, boundaries, perspective and guidance in the process of program delivery.
• Ability to approach youth with a growth mindset and work in partnership with youth to achieve their goals. 

Outdoor & Trip Leading Experience

• General to advanced knowledge and ability in several or all of the following activities: canoeing, horseback riding, swimming, backpacking, kayaking, rock climbing, outdoor education, group dynamics, experiential education, games & initiatives, orienteering, and outdoor living.
• Knowledge of environmentally acceptable practices for backcountry living.
• The ability to anticipate and manage potential hazards in wilderness environments, both physical and emotional.
• Judgment and the ability to manage a group effectively in the outdoors under stressful conditions.
• Ability to hike for up to 15 miles with an up to 40 lb backpack in strenuous terrain.
• Ability to paddle up to 10 miles per day in a loaded canoe. 
• Ability to maintain ample energy, strength, and focus to lead and assist youth in a wilderness environment.   

Community Values

• Cultural competency, the ability to work in diverse communities and a commitment to social justice, equity & inclusion, and anti-racism. Learn more about City Kids DEI Statement of Beliefs.  
• An understanding and commitment to the goals, values,  and philosophy of City Kids, including our organizational core values of Joy, Connection, Preparation, Effort and Evolution. Learn more about City Kids Core Values. 
• Patience, initiative, enthusiasm, proactive communication style, flexibility and energy are a must.
• The ability to relate well to others and to work effectively with a variety of people.