Alpenguide Job Description

POSITION TITLE Summer Adventure Camp Trip Leader (Alpenguide)

REPORTS TO Alpengirl Camp Directors

TO APPLY If you meet our qualifications (see below), complete our online application via Campminder and submit your resume to keren@alpengirlcamp.com. We encourage applications to be submitted early -- anytime before January 2024 for best opportunities. Interviews begin in November each year for the following summer.

EMPLOYMENT DATES A full summer season is from June 9, 2024 through August 11, 2024 (this includes a 9-day staff training in Montana). Strong preference will be given to guides able to commit to the full summer season, though limited considerations may be made for partial summer commitments.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION There’s more to adventure camp leadership than hiking and playing games. The job of an Alpenguide is all-encompassing and integral to the Alpengirl experience. The person that excels at this job has a balanced combination of hard and soft skills, and employs both appropriately to benefit the campers in their care. Alpenguides are responsible, trustworthy, positive role models that are committed to FUN! An Alpenguide team consists of 2-3 Alpenguides who lead groups of 10-13 campers for 8-14 days, with support from Camp Directors and regional support staff. Alpenguides will…

  • Supervise girls ages 11-16, who may be new to adventure camps/wilderness environments
  • Lead multi-day backpacking and canoeing trips, and other adventure activities
  • Teach outdoor living, camping skills, and Leave No Trace ethics
  • Maintain a constant awareness of and provide attention to individual camper needs
  • Assess and manage environmental and human risks
  • Provide wilderness medical care
  • Drive campers in 15 passenger vans with trailers
  • Communicate with parents, contracted activity outfitters, and camp director
  • Complete written reports and evaluations
  • Plan menus, purchase food and prepare meals on outdoor stoves
  • Manage group dynamics
  • Make decisions that benefit the group as a whole

QUALIFICATIONS

  • At least 20 years old (age 21+ strongly preferred for driving considerations)
  • Completed at least 1 year of college (college graduates preferred)
  • Wilderness First Aid (WFA) with Epinephrine Auto-injector certification (Wilderness First Responder WFR preferred, WMI-NOLS certifications preferred)
  • Adult CPR/AED certification
  • Valid driver license with clean driving record and clean criminal background record
  • Previous experience leading backpacking trips
  • Previous experience with youth outdoor education and leadership
  • Ability to perform positively and maintain self-care with limited personal time or time off
  • Fun lovin’ attitude and superhuman power of some kind!

Additional desirable qualifications:

  • Lifeguard certification 
  • Leave No Trace certification
  • Backcountry Food Handlers certification
  • Previous experience driving 15 passenger vans 
  • Previous experience leading canoe trips or instructor certification
  • Yoga instructor certification and/or yoga experience 
  • Two or more seasons experience working with teenagers in a camp/outdoor education setting
  • Knowledge of and/or experience with geographic area of trips
  • Experience teaching science and/or natural history 

COMPENSATION

  • Competitive compensation (full summer, including staff training) offered at $4,200 - $4,500 DOE
  • Access to pro deals for gear discounts
  • Food, lodging, travel, outfitted activities
  • Staff care packages and additional job performance incentives

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Applicants must be physically able to perform the following:

  • Hike up to 10 miles at elevations up to 11,000 feet, carrying a heavy backpack
  • Traverse uneven terrain that could include gravel, dirt, mud, snow and ice
  • Hike quickly for up to 10 miles in emergency situations
  • Live and work in a setting with variable weather conditions
  • Move and/or lift up to 60 pounds; load and unload equipment/packs from vehicles
  • Reach, climb, grasp, push and pull above and below shoulder levels; squat and bend

Applicants must possess the following mental and emotional requirements: 

  • Emotional stability and maturity
  • Promptness, reliability, and trustworthiness
  • Ability to communicate effectively with supervisor, co-workers, campers, contract outfitters/vendors, and parents
  • Ability to work successfully with people from diverse backgrounds
  • Ability to self-motivate and make independent decisions 
  • Flexibility, spontaneity, and the ability to respond quickly and appropriately to camper needs, daily program needs, and emergency situations
  • Ability to model and teach safety and risk management
  • Ability to organize and recall facts, figures and information
  • Ability to concentrate, focus, and accurately and efficiently perform required tasks

Applicants must be tolerant of the following environmental exposures: 

  • Potentially hot, cold, wet, dry and humid weather
  • Variable and potentially extreme temperature conditions, depending on elevation, time of day, and season (June-August)
  • Potential exposure to toxic substances (i.e. bleach, petroleum vehicle fuel) 
  • Potential exposure to natural disasters such as fire, flood, earthquake, landslide, or heavy snow
  • Potential exposure to to dust, pollen, poison oak, and a variety of animals, plants, bees and insects

HIRING PROCESS

Upon receipt of a resume and completed application, we will:

  • Select qualified individuals and arrange employment interview(s)
  • Conduct reference checks and verify previous work experience
  • Selected candidates will receive a hire offer detailing summer schedule and compensation
  • Selected candidates will review the hire offer, sign it and submit it to Alpengirl, along with additional employment documents such as copies of certifications and licenses, employment forms, staff bio with photo and more 
  • Conduct criminal background checks and driver record checks

STAFF TRAINING

Alpenguides will attend a 9-day staff training in Bozeman, MT, prior to the beginning of the camp season. This on-site, experiential training includes camping, backpacking, camp cooking, skills demonstrations, yoga practice, practical scenarios in first aid, and risk management, and a review of camper files, permits, maps, menus, and detailed itineraries. Alpengirl staff training mixes work with fun -- highlights include events such as the staff talent show and campfire, a hot springs excursion, canoeing or backpacking, staff care packages, and more! Alpenguides will receive reading and study materials prior to staff training and are expected to be familiar with these materials prior to arrival in Montana for training. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Alpengirl provides equal camp opportunities to all and does not discriminate regarding its employees or campers on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, or disability.