Summer Camp Trip Leaders (Backpack + Kayak)

Adventure Camp Instructors (Trip Leaders) are responsible for supervising and leading campers on a variety of trips. We offer 3 day/2 night and 4 day/3 night backpacking and kayaking trips and 1- and 2-night camping trips in nearby state parks.

As part of pre-camp training, Adventure Camp Instructors participate in a week of sea kayaking and backpacking training.  All trips include 2 staff and 9-13 campers.  We advertise all of our trips as "beginner friendly".  In recent years we have backpacked in Olympic National Park and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and kayaked through the Hood Canal and Deception Pass.  We work with a local non-profit to provide gear for campers who don't have their own and we have a robust scholarship program to help bring kids to camp.

Wa-Ya runs a 10-week summer camp program with Day Camp offerings for ages 6-13 and Adventure Camp trips for ages 9-16. Camp Wa-Ya staff and campers spend most of their day outdoors, engaged in regular activity. Our programs include hiking, kayaking, and outdoor skills, and Instructors should be prepared to work outside in any weather. We visit sites in and around Olympia and Instructors are responsible for transporting campers in 12- and 15-passenger vans. All Wa-Ya staff engage in a culturally integrated environment, where Wa-Ya’s values of respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion are practiced.

Our program is centered around a science-based curriculum, in combination with Indigenous practices and arts, outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship, and provides an environment that fosters a sense of wonder for Wa-Ya campers.

Staff should be available to attend training June 10th-19th and our camp season runs until August 28th.  All of our programs run Monday-Friday - no weekends!

Visit our website to see job descriptions and more information.  We are also hiring Day Camp Counselors and Substitute Instructors.

Applications are accepted until positions are filled.