Paddle Sports Specialist

The Paddle Sports Specialist position is a new one for us for 2023. This instructor is a member of the Adventure Day Camp instructor team, leading 5-day outdoor, multi-sport adventure camps for 4th - 8th grade students in the summer months.

While the Paddle Sports Specialist participates all camp activities, they have particular expertise in paddlesports, particularly stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) and canoe-camping. Thursday is our overnight trip, which often (but not always) involves canoe-camping on the Wisconsin or Kickapoo Rivers.

Paddle Sports Specialists have some background/experience in paddling instruction. They are comfortable with canoeing, kayaking and/or stand-up paddle boarding and familiar with associated equipment. They have taught paddling technique to youth and/or adults, and feel comfortable observing and managing risk for paddling groups. Most important is a love for working with kids and general comfort with outdoor living and recreation. 

Pre-trip River Safety Meeting before paddling Koshkonong Creek

ABILITIES

  • Comfortable paddling canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddle boards (SUPs) in flatwater and Class I river environments

  • Familiar with on-water risk management strategies

  • Successful communicator - listens & speaks well with both school-age learners

  • Builds trust and rapport easily with people of all ages/backgrounds

  • Sees the best in kids, even when they are not demonstrating their best attitudes or behavior

  • Sets high expectations for students, enabling them to rise to the occasion

  • Exemplifies a competent & confident outdoor athlete and leader

  • Juggles complex responsibilities and multi-task under time pressure

  • Envisions activities, curriculum and timelines for entire days and 5-day weeks

  • Knows and/or learn local outdoor natural resources (Parks, forests, waterways) towards having a strong quiver of destination options

ROLES

  • Supports lead instructor day trips and overnight trips (Thursday nights) during Adventure Day Camp

  • Plays a strong support role in flatwater and moving-water (up to Class 1) activities, including stand-up paddleboarding and overnight canoe camping trips

  • Develops creative solutions, often on-the-fly, for logistics, weather and interpersonal challenges

  • Becomes familiar with local paddling areas, chooses venues appropriate to daily camp goals, and adapts as necessary

  • Manages on-water risk pro-actively, with vision and poise

  • Mentors other instructors in water-related areas

  • Expands paddling knowledge and improves technical and movement skills in personal time

  • Maintains personal and company equipment

AVAILABILITY

8:00 AM - 5:30 PM, Monday thru Friday, for at least eight of our ten weeks
Staff training June 5 - 9
Camps run June 12 through August 25
No camp the week of July 3 - 7

If you are available before June 5th, we’d love to get you out on some climbing days to jump start your training!

QUALIFICATIONS

Helpful but not required:

  • Wilderness First Responder (WFR) (training available March and May 2023)

  • Previous commercial guiding/outdoor instructor experience and/or formal public or private school teaching experience

  • ACA Instructor Level 1 or greater in SUP and/or River Canoeing

COMPENSATION

$155/day ($260/overnight shifts) + standard employee benefits