Trip Leader: Canoes & Kayaks

Located on the Hood Canal, Camp Robbinswold’s 570 acres include a mile of saltwater beachfront, six miles of trails, and a freshwater lake. Our program primarily focuses on trip and travel opportunities including but not limited to sea kayaking, canoeing, backpacking, hiking, and watersports. Our waterfront is the hub of activity during the summer season, it is the location of our swim area, boat ramp, and Marine Biology center. We strive to offer a premier outdoor experience for all campers. 

The Trip Leader: Canoes & Kayaks supports the mission of camp through the development and delivery of overnight tripping activities with canoes and sea kayaks that are safe, fun, and appropriate to the campers’ age and abilities. Trip Leaders will oversee the planning and execution of a variety of trips in their specialized areas as well as support unit counselors with teaching campers basic skills to support program progression of participants. 

The full pay range for this position is $115 - $125 per day, with the starting rate dependent on previous employment at GSWW camps. This seasonal position will be from June 13th to August 17th, 2025. 

Girl Scouts of Western Washington values diversity, equity, and inclusion and we foster a welcoming, inclusive work environment. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, age, national origin, gender, veteran status, sexual orientation (heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, and gender expression of identity), marital status, or the presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability, or any other protected classification under applicable laws.   

Essential Duties and Responsibilities  

• Develop and deliver a water-based trip program with canoes and sea kayaks that are appropriate for the age and ability of the participants that meet the goals of the program description, including planning and filing the itineraries with the Program Director before leaving for each trip 
• Teach appropriate skills for assigned trips and programs including personal and group health, safety, paddling skills, outdoor cooking, camping skills, comfortable travel methods, maintenance and care of equipment, emergency procedures, etc. 
• Assist in the direction, supervision, and organization of campers in their tripping group, within activities, and throughout the camp 
• In collaboration with other Trip Leaders & waterfront staff, maintain the security of the tripping equipment and supplies and boating supplies, including clear inventory and planning for replacement of supplies in a timely manner within the assigned budget 
• Responsible for appropriately using council credit cards for purchases on trips and maintaining all required documentation for purchases on council credit cards and accounts. 
• Support and implement all camp activities such as meals, games, campfires, etc. 
• Carry out established duties for general camp operations including check-in and check-out, bus supervision, camp cleaning, season opening and closing tasks, and completion of necessary paperwork 
• This is a general description of the essential responsibilities of the position and is not inclusive of all job duties; other associated duties may be assigned 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Knowledge of and commitment to fostering environments that prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, racial justice, and belonging 
• Comfortable working in a camp setting with a variable work week and hours, including overnight, and weekend responsibilities 
• Excellent interpersonal skills to ensure effective interactions with individuals at all levels and backgrounds, with the ability to work under pressure? 
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize project tasks and deadlines, work independently and collaboratively, take initiative, and maintain confidentiality 
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to wilderness environment & waterfront activities 
• Knowledge and ability to lead overnight backpacking experiences with youth members 
• Experience with navigation, wilderness skills, Leave No Trace, and wilderness emergencies 
• Ability to pass pre-requisite swimming skills assessment for lifeguarding including: 
• Swim 550 yards using front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both 
• Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs 
• Surface dive to a maximum water depth of 10 feet and retrieve a 10-pound object 
• Swim 5 yards submerged and retrieve 3 dive rings without resurfacing 

Supervisory Responsibilities 

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities of camp staff members

Education and Experience Required 

• High School graduate or equivalent 
• At least 21 years of age 
• Experience working with youth 6-17 years old 
• Experience working in a summer camp setting or similar 
• Experience with multiple-day canoe or sea kayaking trips 
• Experience lifeguarding and boating on similar waterfronts 
• A valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and willingness to transport campers and staff in 12-passenger vans 

Preferred Skills and Experience 

• Experience leading overnight canoe or sea kayaking trips with similar populations 

Other Qualifications 

• Current certification in Wilderness & Remote First Aid or Wilderness First Responder or willingness to obtain 
• Current certification in American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding or willingness to obtain 
• Current certification or qualification for instructing youth in canoes & kayaks appropriate to the waterfront or willingness to obtain 
• Current certification in Youth Mental Health First Aid or willingness to obtain 
• Satisfactory results from criminal background check 

Work Environment  
Summer camp is a fast-paced outdoor working environment with 24-hour-a-day responsibilities. Employees are frequently exposed to loud noises, sensory stimulating situations, and physically demanding activities. Employees should feel comfortable with: 

• Working outside in all weather conditions including heat, inclement weather, and specific environmental realities (humidity, wind, bugs, lake water) 
• Residing in non-air-conditioned rustic open-air living quarters, with pit toilets as primary restroom facilities while on camp property 
• Reside in pop-up backpacking tents while on trips with limited access to toilets and running water. 
• Ability to hike up to 10 miles a day carrying a fully loaded backpack up to 40 lbs. 
• Living in communal living conditions with limited privacy and infrequent, minimal access to technology 
• Demonstrate emotional resiliency and regulation to handle extended, repeated stressful situations appropriately 
• Walking over unpaved, uneven, hilly terrain multiple times a day 
• Lifting and carrying supplies and equipment up to 40 lbs. 
• Swimming in natural bodies of water 
• Responding to emergencies including utilizing skills to administer first aid/CPR when necessary – including overnight 
• Maintaining constant supervision and observation of program participants while assessing risk and participant safety