Four Trails Leader

General Overview: Four Trails Leaders (summer camp counselors) in co-leadership pairs lead a cabin group of 10-12 campers and are active leaders in daily activities and both off-site and on-site backpacking and canoeing trips and/or service-learning projects.  Trips may be 2 to 17 days in length.

General Responsibilities

• Encourage leadership development, healthy community living, and AYF mission and values driven practices.
• Protect the safety and health of campers by adhering to community expectations and following all policies and procedures outlined in the Staff Handbook, including our alcohol-, drug-, and tobacco-free camp policy and AYF COVID-19 Staff Eligibility and Expectations.
• Be a positive role model
• Instruction in some skilled program activities
• Fully participate in and be present at all community activities
• Instruct campers in safety and health regulations, policies and procedures of camp and behavior.
• Be a risk manager.
• Be familiar with and apply the Four-Fold philosophy and Best Self practices to leadership, instruction and modeling while in camp.
• Actively participate in staff training activities

Specific Responsibilities

• Leadership and guidance of a village of approximately 12 campers, single-gender identifying or all genders.
• Provide 24-hour supervision and mentoring to campers in assigned group in a cabin setting. Live with and eat meals with a cabin group, helping each camper to adjust to camp life and to achieve his/her personal best.
• Exercise strict adherence to established safety procedures and guidelines for backpacking, canoeing and other outdoor experiences outlined in Trip Leader Handbooks.
• Manage behavioral issues, homesickness, injury or unforeseen circumstances from remote locations in conjunction with your Coordinator and support team at Camp
• Demonstrate knowledge of group dynamics by facilitating group activities, guiding discussions, properly debriefing activities
• Learn and teach specific camp craft skills
• Adapt to unforeseen circumstances if program activities need to be altered
• Teach and abide by “Leave No Trace” outdoor ethics
• Properly fill out all paperwork required before and after a trip
• Set a high standard of respect for self, others, and the space though promptness, language, attitude, and participation
• Use positive behavior reinforcement and human relations skills with campers and other staff
• Complete all requested records and written reports, including end-of-summer letters to camper families
• Establish personal and professional goals for the summer and work towards those goals
• Complete all job functions and other duties as assigned

Necessary Skills for Success

• Applicants must be in excellent physical condition. They will be required to have the stamina and energy to safely lead campers during travel through difficult terrain, in challenging weather and after long days. Able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Applicants must have strong emotional health. They will be required to exhibit good judgment, effective problem solving, and maintain calm to safely lead the children in their care under changing and stressful conditions.
• Be able to maintain focus for extended periods while assessing risks and supervising campers
• Ability to respond to, teach and manage the behaviors of the campers in their care
• Able to effectively manage their emotions to remain focused on what is in the best interest of the campers in their care in a variety of situations.
• Effective communication with youth participants and adult staff across a wide range of identities and backgrounds. Ability to foster positive relationships
• Ability to respond to and direct campers and/or staff in an emergency
• Ability to understand, promote, actively include, and work effectively with diverse perspectives and identities
• Ability to maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment for campers
• Thorough understanding of critical issues shaping the lives of young people in the U.S., especially racial and gender equity, inclusivity, justice, ethics, and cultural competency

Work Environment

• Position location is in Center Tuftonboro, New Hampshire at the Merrowvista campus and it is required to work onsite during summer.
• The Merrowvista site necessitates the capacity to move through rugged terrain.
• All meals and housing provided during training and program

Preferred Qualifications

• Must be 21 or older and at least one year post-high school graduation experience
• Demonstrate leadership ability and commitment to balanced personal development and excellence.
• Previous trip leading experience preferred.
• Strong teaching/facilitation and leadership skills preferred
• Previous experience with group management, facilitation and outdoor education.
• Current certification in CPR and Wilderness First Responder (training available for accepted candidates).

Benefits 

• Weekly pay: $600
• Leaders will receive one day off for every six days worked

Questions? Please contact the Merrowvista team at merrowvistacamps@ayf.com.