Teen Climbing Camp Instructor

Teen Climbing Camp Instructors lead a five-day overnight climbing camp for campers of all identities and varying abilities entering 7th - 12th grade. The instructor team typically consists of four instructors: one Lead Instructor and three Assistant or Apprentice Instructors who work together to facilitate a week outdoors for 12 campers. Interested? Read on to see if you would make a good addition to our TCC team.

Abilities

The most competitive candidates are not only experienced climbers, but also well versed in outdoor living and comfortable working with adolescents. Below are some of the abilities we love to see in our camp instructors.

Technical Skills

  • Climbing - Experienced climber who is able to effectively share their knowledge of climbing movement, technical skills, and risk mitigation with campers.

  • Hiking - Proficient hiker who has a strong sense of direction, pace, and managing risks on or off trail.

  • Outdoor Living - Capable of setting up an orderly shared camp space and  comfortable living outdoors for a week (eating, sleeping, bathing, recreating, etc).

  • Cooking Outdoors -  Able to shop for and cook three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus snacks) for the entire group. Practices appropriate storage of food and sanitation of dishware and kitchen space.

  • Swimming - Confident swimmer in open water with a strong regard for water safety. 

  • Driving - Valid driver’s license and comfort driving a minibus or passenger van that holds up to 15 people. 

  • Leave No Trace - Adheres to and educates campers on the seven LNT principles. 

  • Familiar With Local Terrain - Knowledge of and/or ability to learn about Devil’s Lake State Park and other local resources we visit during camp.

  • Inclusive - Creates an environment where all identities and abilities are welcome. 

  • Collaborative - Effectively works and communicates with both fellow instructors and campers to create meaningful relationships during camp and beyond. 

  • Detail Oriented - Sees the smaller pieces of a larger picture, and invests the energy needed to get those smaller steps “just so” to support the larger goal.  Organized/Flexible - Able to coordinate various tasks with structure and adapt appropriately when things don’t go according to plan. 

  • Confident - Develops a clear vision for each day, project, or challenge, trusts experience and intuition, and moves forward minimizing “analysis paralysis”. 

Soft Skills

  • Tolerance for Adversity - Exercises a leadership mindset, focuses on how to move forward regardless of setbacks, and makes lemonade from lemons.

  • Growth Mindset - Envisions activities and curriculum that supports growth amongst the group.

  • Integrity - Shows a willingness to learn and accountability for one's actions, positive or negative. Able to recognize one’s own biases and assumptions when making decisions. 

  • Risk Management - Able to identify potential physical and psychological hazards and work within one’s means to minimize the associated consequences.  

Availability

This is a 24-hour a day position that runs from Sunday (12:30pm) - Friday (5:30pm) each camp session. 

  • A mandatory two-day staff training will be held (TBD).

  • We expect you to work at least 4 of our 12 sessions from June 9 - Aug 30.

  • Additional opportunities for individual days of guided rock climbing on weeks you aren’t working a camp session are possible.

positions

We are currently hiring Apprentice, Assistant, and Lead Instructors who are specifically interested in working Teen Climbing Camp, though additional guided climbing opportunities will supplement Camp assignments. You can learn more about the requirements for each position by clicking on the individually linked descriptions, and reference camp specific responsibilities below.

Climbing Camp Apprentice Instructor

Roles

  • Supports the Lead and Assistant Instructors with camp-specific responsibilities.

  • Maintains a growth mindset, learning from Lead and Assistant Instructors to develop positive technical skills and instructional methods. 

  • Actively contributes to the instructor team, addressing camp responsibilities, daily briefings/debriefings, and boosting morale.

  • Maintains personal and company equipment in good working order, ensuring shared equipment is prepared for the next day or session. 

  • Manages a belay station independently, whether actively belaying or supervising student belayers

Qualifications

  • Competent recreational climber - Solid belayer, strong communicator. (indoor or outdoor).

  • Experienced and comfortable with multi-day tent camping.

  • Experience working with youth in a camp or educational setting

  • AMGA Climbing Wall Instructor certification or equivalent preferred, but not required 

Compensation

  • $215/day ($1,185/camp session) + standard employee benefits

Climbing Camp Assistant Instructor

Roles

In addition to Apprentice roles, Assistant Instructors also:

  • Supports the Lead Instructor with camp specific responsibilities such as communication with families, instruction, and maintenance of company equipment. 

  • Leads by example, ensuring Apprentice Instructors develop positive habits as they work to develop leadership skills. 

  • Navigates terrain and sets climbing anchors independently, overseeing Apprentice instructors at times.

  • Supports campers’ goals at both the individual and group level. 

  • Creates and enforces camp rules, norms and culture

  • Organizes and leads selected activities, including climbing outings, games, meals, and other adventures, with support from other instructors.

  • Is an active member of the instructor team, contributing to camp responsibilities, daily briefings/debriefings, and boosting group dynamics.

  • Manages risk with vision and poise by remaining vigilant and addressing unique situations as they arise. 

  • Maintains personal and company equipment in good working order, ensuring shared equipment is prepared for the next session.

Qualifications

  • AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (or greater) preferred 

  • Wilderness First Responder (or greater) preferred

  • 1+ years of commercial guiding/instruction experience

Compensation

  • $255/day ($1,360/camp session) + standard employee benefits

Climbing Camp Lead Instructor 

Roles

  • Leads a team of three other instructors and 12 campers during a week of climbing and outdoor living, overseeing all aspects of camp and parent/guardian communications. 

  • Coordinates schedule and agenda for the week.

  • Mentors Apprentice and Assistant Instructors toward healthy skills, pedagogy, and character development. 

  • Discusses and develops goals for campers at the individual and group level. 

  • Communicates proactively with campers and guardians via email, phone, and in person to arrange logistics and set expectations for the camp session. 

  • Conduct daily briefings/debriefings with the entire group, and manage meetings amongst the instructor team as needed. 

  • Manages risk with vision and poise by adhering to company protocols and addressing unique situations as they arise. 

  • Maintains personal and company equipment in good working order, ensuring shared equipment is prepared for the next session. 

  • Orchestrates daily climbing activities, overseeing location, logistics, technical issues, instructor assignments, and general risk management

  • Creates and enforces camp rules, norms and culture

Qualifications

  • AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (or greater) required

  • Wilderness First Responder (or greater) required

  • 2+ years of commercial guiding/instruction experience

Compensation

  • $330/day ($1,755/camp session) + standard employee benefits