Job Description
Job Description
Wilderness Leader
Salary & Dates: $5950, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 21 – August 8.
Job Description: Every program in the Wilderness Department is designed both to create stronger, well-bonded groups and to foster a respect, appreciation and stewardship of nature. Wilderness Leaders rotate through four different job responsibilities, listed below. Every Wilderness Leader will work as a Backpacking Trip Leader at some point during the summer, along with 1-3 of the other rotations.
Job Responsibilities
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Backpacking Trip Leader
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Solo lead groups of 12 campers and 2 counselors on 1-2 night backpacking trips in the Yosemite area and surrounding wilderness areas. You are the primary leader on these trips.
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Before each trip, acquire camper medical info, meds, and diet/allergy info. Stock and carry a first aid kit.
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Understand departure and pick-up times, routes, and safe driving tactics.
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Maintain safety throughout trips.
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Provide fun, experiential and educational outdoor programming.
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Challenge Course Leader
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Lead each bunk through a full day of team building, low and high elements on the Camp Tawonga Challenge Course.
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Set up and take down the course daily and maintain equipment to ensure safety.
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Meet with counselors to review the goals of the day, their role, and belay skills.
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Facilitate sharing, listening, safe risk-taking, reflection and fun.
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Check in with your co-facilitator(s) each day.
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Quest Leaders
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Co-lead a group of teenagers on one, two, or three week van trips through California or the Pacific Northwest. All Quests include a backpacking trip, and some combination of hiking, kayaking, rafting, climbing, surfing, and other outdoor activities!
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Drive passenger vans, keep track of finances, write in daily journal, manage group dynamics and individual needs, communicate with camp, offer creative programming, provide medical care, and represent Tawonga’s interests, image, and character with campers, families, outfitters, and the general public.
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As a Quest Leader, you are a counselor, program specialist, cook, health technician, and more!
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Teva/Naturalist or Farmhand
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Create new nature based programming and lead programming around the property.
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Weave new and traditional Jewish ways of enjoying, respecting, and caring for the natural world into your activities.
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Care for Tawonga’s farm animals and organic garden.
Example Summer Rotation Schedules:
Taste of Camp (1 week)
Session 2
(3 weeks)
Session 3
(3 weeks)
Session 4
(2 weeks)
Example Wild Leader 1
Day Hikes, Prepare for Quest
Surf N’ Turf Quest Leader, Backpacking Trip Leader
Backpacking Trip Leader
Farmhand
Example Wild Leader 2
Challenge Course Training
Backpacking Trip Leader
Challenge Course Facilitator
Backpacking Trip Leader
Example Wild Leader 3
Day Hikes
Naturalist/Teva Specialist, Prepare for Quest
H2O Quest Leader
Backpacking Trip Leader
Qualifications
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Must be 21 or older.
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Must have current certifications:
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Lifeguard Certification (LGT)*
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Wilderness First Responder Certification (WFR)*
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ServSafe Certification*
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A safe driving record
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Experience with children and prior experience backpacking are essential.
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Experience with rock climbing and belaying, natural history, environmental education, and Judaic knowledge are helpful.
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Be able to lift 50 lbs
* If you do not possess these certifications, Tawonga may reimburse the costs of obtaining them.
Day in the Life (Final Morning of a Backpacking Trip)
6:00AM – Wake up early to mountains and rivers in the backcountry; pack personal backpack and get water boiling.
6:45AM – Wake up bunk and help them get packed up.
7:30AM – Yummy backcountry breakfast as the sun hits your breakfast spot.
9:00AM – Stretch and get hiking! Hike through the Yosemite wilderness.
12:00PM – Lunch at the trailhead, meet your driver and load those packs!
2:30PM – Back at camp, unload and take a break.
4:00PM – Greet your next bunk and help them get prepared for backpacking.
6:00PM – Dinner at Camp, prep for your backpack trip and get a good night's rest!