Backpacking & Kayaking Trip Leaders

The deadline to apply for this job has passed.

Organization

Camp Wa-Ya

Job Posted

March 18, 2026

Job status

Job Category

Job Type

Job Duration

Job Compensation Type

Remote

No

Contact Name

Becky List

Contact Email

camp@wayaoutdoorschool.com

Contact Phone

4255314385

Deadline to Apply

Location

Olympia, WA
United States
Spend your summer backpacking and kayaking with kids in beautiful Western Washington! Camp Wa-Ya, a nature-based program in Olympia, Washington, is hiring Trip Leaders to lead programming for kids ages 9-16. You'll work with another instructor to lead a group of 9-13 campers on trips ranging from a one-night car camping trip to 4 days/3 nights of kayaking on the Hood Canal. All trips are Monday-Friday - so your weekends are free to explore the area. Our programs intertwine outdoor adventure, science education, Indigenous knowledge and FUN!

Summary

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.

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.  We are conducting interviews now.


 

Compensation Information

$770 per week, plus an additional $100/night for overnight programming.