Summer Camp Trip Leaders (Kayak + Backpack)

Camp Wa-Ya, in Olympia, WA, is hiring Adventure Camp (Overnight Trips) Instructors. Our Adventure Camp Instructors lead overnight backpacking and kayaking trips for youth ages 12-17 in Western Washington, as well as car-camping trips for kids 9-13.

We are also hiring Day Camp Counselors.

Staff are needed from June 10th until August 28th and work Monday-Friday.

Compensation: Lead Instructors earn $770/week $100/night for overnights.

• TO APPLY: Visit our website at www.wayaoutdoorschool.com/Jobs
• DO NOT APPLY THROUGH really. Only applications received through our website will be accepted.

All Wa-Ya staff engage in a culturally integrated environment, where Wa-Ya’s values of respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion are practiced.

Position Overview:

Adventure Camp Instructors are responsible for supervising and leading campers on 2- and 3-night backpacking and kayaking trips. As part of pre-camp training, Instructors are given a week of overnight sea kayaking and backpacking training.

Instructors provide kayak/backpacking instruction, manage risk, teach lessons, run activities, organize games, and monitor the health and safety of their group of 10 campers, ages 12-17.

This position will teach sea kayaking, backpacking, and camping skills including water purification, fire building, and navigation. This position is also responsible for pre-trip preparation and post-trip clean-up each week.

Adventure Camp Instructors also lead our Adventure Camp programs - campers attend Day Camp for the week and have an overnight for one or two nights.

Wa-Ya runs a 10-week summer camp program with Day Camp offerings for ages 6-14 and Adventure Camp trips for ages 9-17. Our programs focus on environmental science, Indigenous culture, and outdoor play.

Schedule & Location:

This position is expected to work on-site from June 10-August 28, 2026. We will make exceptions for the right candidate. All programs run Monday-Friday. Each Adventure Camp trip includes a day in Olympia, followed by the overnight trip Tuesday-Thursday/Friday. Day Camp shifts are approximately 8 hours, although additional time may be needed for curriculum prep or cleanup.

Camp Wa-Ya is based at Tumwater Historical Park, off of I-5, just south of Olympia, WA.

Compensation:

Compensation for this position is a $770 per week salary ($19.25/hour equivalent) $100/night for all overnight trips. Adventure Camp Instructors are provided with a week-long overnight kayak training and backpack training and Wa-Ya will pay for your Wilderness First Aid certification.

Wa-Ya has local connections to help you find affordable housing during your summer contract.

Responsibilities:

• Provide instruction in sea kayaking, backpacking, and camping.
• Assist in planning Adventure Trips logistics including travel plans, meal planning and prep, equipment management, trail or route planning, safety protocols, etc.
• Develop curriculum and create and teach lessons that achieve Wa-Ya’s learning objectives related to environmental education topics and adventure skills.
• Teach sea kayaking skills, backpacking, and camping skills (dressing and packing for the elements, how to pack a backpack, and camp safety), Leave No Trace principles, and outdoor survival skills such as shelter building, water purification, fire building, and navigation.
• Manage pre-trip preparation and post-trip clean-up each week.
• Provide care and quality control of Wa-Ya field and adventure equipment and teaching supplies, including maintaining a well-organized and clean equipment storage room.
• Drive the Wa-Ya vans (12- and 15-passenger) to teaching sites, including towing Wa-Ya’s sea kayak trailer.
• Engage with parents, guest speakers, board members, and other camp staff.
• Follow camp policies and procedures and ensure the safety and well-being of all participants at camp.

Qualifications:

Applicants who do not meet all the qualifications listed below but present other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered. If you are passionate about this work, please apply!

• A passion for inspiring and educating youth and connecting them to their authentic selves, their environment, science, and Native perspectives.
• Experience working with youth.
• Experience supervising staff or peers.
• Experience leading sea kayaking and/or backpacking overnight trips including competency in supporting overnight camping conditions for youth.
• Knowledge, skills, and abilities to utilize critical thinking, problem-solving, prioritizing, conflict management, and multitasking skills.
• Experience participating in or teaching adventure-related activities including, but not limited to, kayaking, backpacking, and camping.
• Curiosity, patience, and reliability.
• Available to work 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday plus overnight Tuesday-Thursday.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs.
• Comfortable working outdoors all day in all summer weather conditions.
• Valid driver's license, clean driving record, and ability to pass a background check.
• First Aid/CPR certified, Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) preferred.
• All staff should be at least 18 years old and/or graduated from high school by June 20, 2026.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $970.00 - $1,070.00 per week

Work Location: In person

Salary : $19