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Form of workJob Description
RURAL PROGRAM: TRAVEL CAMP STAFF
SEASONAL POSITION
Room and Board included!
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
As a member of the Rural Program Travel Staff, you’ll have the pleasure to guide campers (youth, teens) and families in daily activities within the rural program schedule, with a focus on implementing youth and community-based programs, maintaining strong community relations and cultural relevancy. You'll support Camp Fire’s Promise to provide youth with the opportunity to find their spark, lift their voice and discover who they are. In this position, you'll actively participate in leading, teaching, and assisting in all program areas, such as; swimming, cooking, health and nutrition, creative arts, hiking, etc. while you obtain valuable experience in planning, implementing community events, and outreach with community members. You'll have a vital role in building relationships among campers, families, elders, and community members while collaborating with the Rural Program leadership to identify staff and program needs, develop successful programming, and take part in evaluations to collect data about the program. The valuable professional and personal growth experience you'll achieve while in Rural Alaskan communities will give you a lifetime experience you'll carry with you moving forward after the season comes to an end. Join our team and make a lasting different in the lives of our youth!
A day in the life:
On a typical day in a Rural community, staff will start by announcing program on the VHF from their program space and begin setting up supplies needed for the day in a community facility or school. Teams will provide two pre-packaged meals at designated times with activities ran between Lunch, and Supper meals. Lunch is typically served from 12:30pm-1:00pm and Supper is served from 4:00pm-4:30pm. While meals are served, staff eat and engage with youth. After meals, staff begin their activities for the day. Activities can take place in the designated program space, or out and about in the community. Activities are created in partnership with Indigenous agencies prior to season start, part of a wellness curriculum called “Strong Kids”. Staff work with community contacts to ensure the implementation of activities are in alignment with current community needs. Teams then facilitate these activities between meal times. After cleaning-up from the Supper meal, staff have a an hour break before coming together for another hour to complete daily paperwork and scheduled weekly check-in calls with leadership support. 3 evenings a week the working day then ends with 2 hours of Teen Night program, or community events, and the other 2 days of the week are spent completing paperwork, planning and prepping for the next day.
This reflects a middle of the season type day; first and last weeks in a community may have additional or varying schedules. Teams will have more time dedicated to connecting with community, start up and close out paperwork, and the planning and implementation of community events.
To be successful in this position you will need have cultural awareness and be open to listening and learning from the members of the communities you will be serving. It is essential to have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate positively with other. It is imperative to be flexible and adaptive to changes and challenges that will likely arise.
Program Overview
Program: The Rural Alaska Program travels to primarily Alaska Native communities throughout the state to deliver summer day camp programs to youth, teens, families, and elders. Camp Fire sends 2-3 person staff teams with, supplies, food and activities to many different communities, creating a fun summer camp experience while teaching about healthy life choices, reducing high risk behaviors, and encourage youth and community engagement.
Location: Anchorage for training and 2 to 3 various Rural communities within Alaska. Teams of staff travel to 2 to 3 communities in June and July, providing a program that lasts 2-4 weeks in each community.
Dates: Full season dates are mid-May - early August. Travel to Rural Communities begins in early June and ends in early August. Staff start in mid-May to complete a 2 week training in Anchorage. The season ends in August with program close out.
Shifts: Rural Travel Camp Lead staff reside in assigned rural communities. Work days typically run from 11am-9pm with programming from 12pm-5pm and 7pm-9pm, Tuesday through Friday each week and occasional travel on weekends. Mondays are for accomplishing administrative duties and building community connections. Staff generally have two days off each week to explore the local community.
Activities: Travel Camp Lead Staff develop and run summer day camp programs such as team building, sports and games, cold water safety and swimming, outdoor recreation, and community events. Evenings are reserved for teen based programs.
Travel Stipend: A travel stipend will be paid on the final paycheck to staff who are out of state or live off the road system, that successfully complete the entire season commitment.
Lifeguard Certification: If you have a current lifeguard certification you'll be eligible for a higher pay rate within the pay range listed above.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Prior experience working with diverse populations (multicultural, age, gender, etc.) in an overnight camp or cultural exchange setting is strongly preferred.
- Current CPR/AED and First Aid from a nationally recognized provider(s).
- Professional Rescuer or Wilderness First Aid (WFR) Certification Preferred
- Current Lifeguard Certification from a nationally recognized provider(s). Lifeguard Certification will include a Current CPR for the Professional Rescuer, AED & First Aid Certification preferred. *Higher pay is given to those with Lifeguard Certification.
- Bachelor’s Degree in early childhood education, education, outdoor recreation, sociology, social work, nursing or another related field is preferred.
- Minimum of 18 years of age required, 21 preferred.
- Valid Driver’s License and eligibility to drive agency vehicles, preferred.
YOU MAY REQUEST A COPY OF THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION BY EMAILING HR AT jobs@campfireak.org.
Some email correspondence may go to your junk/spam folder. Please be sure to check your junk/spam folder regarding correspondence from Camp Fire Alaska. Thank you!
*All applicants who are offered employment with Camp Fire Alaska will be subjected to reference checks and a criminal history check through the Alaska Background Check Program. Offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of both the reference checks and criminal history check in accordance with Municipality of Anchorage Child Care Licensing regulations.
Camp Fire Alaska Inclusion Statement:
Camp Fire believes in the dignity and the intrinsic worth of every human being. We welcome, affirm, and support young people and adults of all abilities and disabilities, experiences, races, ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, citizenship or immigration status, religion and non-religion, and any other category people use to define themselves or others
