Both jobs are lots of fun, and you’ll definitely appreciate the variety. A few of our more experienced staff will spend so much time in the woods that they will not have a cabin, but they still act as counselors when they’re not teaching, helping to fill in the gaps.
In your role as an activity instructor, you’ll be a part of a team led by an “Activity Head” who will coordinate schedules and teaching methods. Simply being able to swim does not qualify you to teach swimming; having had a horse does not qualify you to teach riding. A good teacher needs a thorough understanding of the fundamentals and a method for communicating them. If, however, you do possess a basic skill, we can teach you to teach.
We use activities as a means of communication, as a tool for stimulating growth. We teach fairly high-level skills (i.e. whitewater canoeing, rock climbing, extended backpacking, etc.) but we are just as interested in the beginner as in the advanced camper.
Building Skills
Our emphasis on building skills means our staff must be very capable. To help you determine whether or not your skills are “up to par” for our program, here’s a rough idea of “entry level proficiency” for each activity. Understand that trip leaders and those in supervisory roles require more advanced experience. Previous teaching experience is a plus, but not a necessity.
- Sailing: Know how to rig a sloop rigged sailboat. Know how to come about, jibe, how to pick up a mooring under sail, and dock a boat under various wind conditions. Know techniques for avoiding a capsize, basic terminology, and some sailing theory.
- Mountaineering: Applicants must be experienced backpackers, knowledgeable low impact campers and have experience working with groups in the woods. Climbing experience is a strong plus. NOLS and Outward Bound experience appreciated. We take 1-6 day backpacking and climbing trips. The program also uses a climbing tower and an indoor wall for on-site practice and confidence.
- Mountain Biking: Extensive mountain biking experience; mechanical skills preferred. Applicants must also be comfortable with their back-country wilderness skills.
- Tennis: Applicants with playing skills equal to the United States Tennis Association ranking of 3.0 or higher are encouraged. Must be enthusiastic about teaching beginners and intermediates.
- Swimming: Current American Red Cross Life Guard Training is required. We offer the course at camp in late May.
- Riding: Strong fundamentals in Hunter type riding needed. Experience in handling “fun activities” like lunch rides or in teaching “stable skills” is a plus. We’ll give you 1 on 1 assistance in developing your teaching skills.
- Canoeing/Kayaking: Strong Class III and above whitewater experience is essential. The program starts in open boats on the lake, them progresses onto gradually more difficult whitewater and incorporates closed boats after good open boat skills have been developed.
- Nature Program: Throughout all our activities, we employ a philosophy of utilizing “teachable moments” in environmental sciences, including botany, geology, animal science, meteorology, ecology, etc. Separately, one or two staff do this full time out of our “nature lab.” College level courses appreciated but not a requirement.
- Crafts: We emphasize making things – weaving, pottery, macramé, jewelry, tie dye, basketry. The idea is to cultivate and express the imagination through hands-on experience.
- Minor Activities: Include archery, riflery, dramatics, and short hikes. These activities are part-time, therefore staff need a combination of skills and a lot of imagination.
Required Certification
All staff are required to have current CPR and First Aid training. All waterfront staff are required to have Life Guard Training. Trip leaders must have at least a Wilderness First Responder. We provide these courses during our orientation at the beginning of each summer, and may agree to subsidize part of your costs if you get the training elsewhere.
