Outdoor Jobs!
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Job Openings
Outdoor Trip Leaders (Short Term)
Location: Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing Department: Marketing / Summer Programs Position Type: Seasonal Duration: Options Reports To: Director of Programs We're looking for enthusiastic and responsible Trip Leaders to join our team this fall. We have several employment options available, including a full fall season position and opportunities to lead two of our largest annual programs, Veritas and Woodberry. If you love working with youth in the outdoors and have strong leadership and communication skills, we'd love to have you on board! 📅 Schedule & Pay Options Option 1: Fall Group Leader (Full Season) Dates: Late August - November (flexible) Pay: $80-$95/day Option 2: Both Veritas & Woodberry Dates: September 21–29 Pay: $1,050 (includes both groups + training days) Option 3: Veritas Only Dates: September 21–24 Training: September 21-22 Program: September 23–24 Pay: $450 Option 4: Woodberry Only Dates: September 24–29 Training: September 24- 25 Program: September 26–29 Pay: $600 🏕️ About the Role As a Trip Leader, you’ll be responsible for guiding students through outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, team-building initiatives, and more. You’ll help create a positive, safe, and engaging experience that fosters growth and adventure. ✅ Requirements: -Must be 18+ -Experience working with youth preferred -Comfortable leading in an outdoor, rustic environment -CPR/First Aid certification a plus (we can help you get certified if needed!) ✨ Perks: -Meals and lodging provided during programming -Fun, supportive team environment -A beautiful mountain setting to work and explore Apply and let us know your availability and which session(s) you're interested in!
Job Application
Please complete the form to apply for a position with us or email employment@wilderness-adventure.com
Trip Leaders, Group Program Leaders
Wilderness Adventure is a year-round facility that hosts Summer Camp, Groups, and Events of all kinds. We have Summer Trip Leaders that work from Mid May to Mid August. Many of our summer camp Trip Leaders stay on through the fall to take on the role of Group Leader. Group Program Leaders may also work approximately 9 months from March to November. And finally, our Administrative team is either seasonal or year around.
During the summer months, Summer Trip Leaders co-lead groups of 12 campers ages 9-17 on 1, 2, or 3 week all-outdoors backpacking adventures. The season starts out in May with an intensive 2 week orientation where we train our new hires. Team members learn all of the activities we facilitate, develop camaraderie with your fellow leaders, apply our core principles (RAWC - Respect, Attitude, Work Ethic, and Communication), and learn our policies and procedures and immerse themselves in ‘Trail Mode’. During summer camp you may lead our 9-10 or 11-12 campers - these kids camp onsite all week but get an intro to our adventure activities. The older campers backpack or shuttle to a new campsite everyday while experiencing some of the exciting adventure activities that our region has to offer.
Group Leaders are responsible for facilitating all the activities we have onsite such as our high and low ropes courses, canoeing, climbing wall, pond kayak classes, tubing, mountain biking etc. In addition, we have several guided activities such as Rock climbing, Caving, Mountain Biking, White Water Kayaking, Canoeing and Backpacking. Group Leaders help work a variety of special events (Music Festival, Roanoke Go Outside Festival, Mountain Biking Weekend, etc) and are often assigned support, maintenance, and hospitality duties as needed.
Our “Group Program” clientele range from middle & high schools, colleges & universities, corporate retreats, youth groups, and is primarily lodge-based. Visiting groups may stay with us for just a day or as long as a week. During their stay, participants are broken up into smaller activity groups and rotate through various activities throughout the day while returning to our rustic Main Lodge for meals and evening downtime.
Our Philosophy
Participants
It’s not what we do but how we do it that makes a difference. Through careful instruction and positive encouragement from our experienced leaders and activity instructors, participants are motivated to face challenges that require both teamwork and individual effort. Our philosophy is “Challenge By Choice”: participants are encouraged, not forced, to attempt all activities. Guiding with this philosophy in mind allows campers to try new challenges in a supportive and caring environment where they will be respected for their own thoughts and feelings. In doing so, they are given the opportunity to try their hardest while not feeling terrible or dreadful if they need to back off or self-doubt becomes too much…an attempt at trying is greater than overall performance.
Our Staff
As a business designed to create unique and successful experiences for a variety of ages, we believe that our staff members are the backbone of our organizational strength. We believe that a strong, honest, positive, and enthusiastic personality is the bulk of what it takes to work in the field of Outdoor Adventure and Education at Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing.
Our Guiding Principles
We’re not just looking for folks skilled in specific areas of outdoor adventure. We’re looking for people who embody our 4 Guiding Principles:
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Work Ethic
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Positive Attitude
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Respect
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Communication
Of course, a love for the outdoors is an absolute must but if you aren’t able to take responsibility for your mistakes and work together as a team, this isn’t the place for you. We are looking for staff members who are ok working with others…who are ok getting dirty, working hard, and celebrating their accomplishments as a team…carrying their own weight.
We’re looking for staff members who want to push themselves to become better leaders, better learners, and increase their confidence when making judgment calls in difficult situations. We are looking for staff members who seek adventure on their days off…who want to learn from others and experience the same feelings as their participants often do when they are out of their comfort zones. We are looking for staff members who will always find the silver linings in tough situations.