Wilderness Trip Leader

Birch Trail is a traditional summer camp for girls aged 7-15 located in Minong, Wisconsin. We provide a safe, fun, and non-competitive summer camp environment for about 220 campers and 140 staff. While in camp, the girls have the opportunity to do a wide variety of activities, including canoeing, sailing, swimming, tennis, water skiing, climbing, land sports, horseback riding, arts & crafts, dance, yoga, and drama. At Birch Trail, staff bring SEL to life through the daily rhythms of camp, guiding conflict resolution, modeling empathy, and mentoring younger campers. Along the way, they help campers grow the emotional, interpersonal, and cognitive skills that research shows lead to more confident, resilient adults.

One of the hallmarks of a Birch Trail experience is our extensive wilderness trip program. All Birch Trail campers go on trips ranging from overnight to eight day camping trips in the upper-Midwest and Canada, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Isle Royale National Park. If you have the basic experience, we'll provide you with all the additional training that you will need. After a summer at camp, you'll have memories, friendships, skills, and experiences to last a lifetime!

Under the guidance of the Trip Director, Wilderness Trip Leaders guide basic camping, backpacking, flat-water and white-water canoeing, sea kayaking, and rock climbing trips depending on their own experiences and backgrounds. Additional responsibilities include:

• Serving as guides and educators to both campers and counselors participating in the program;
• Arranging the logistics, routes, and equipment selection for each trip;
• Overseeing all risk assessment and safety components prior to and during the trip;
• Educating participants in Leave No Trace philosophies and outdoor skills;
• Providing basic maintenance of camping equipment; and
• Assisting in other areas of the camp program when needed.

Birch Trail Staff must:

• Lead by example: campers watch everything you do, so bring your best self, you're the go-to person keeping campers safe, happy, and supported
• Show up and show out: punctual, prepared, and taking the job seriously
• Use good judgment: trusted to make real calls that affect real kids
• Step up in an emergency: be ready to help campers and staff through fire, illness, injury, or evacuation
• Stay flexible and steady: thrive in a fast-changing, community-living environment where no two days look the same

Applicants should have experience and interest in camping and working with children for extended periods of time. If you do not already have WFR certification, we will help you get certified and subsidize part of the cost. We provide extensive training at camp in both camping and counseling skills so that the entire Trip Staff is ready to work with campers. We also facilitate the process for Wilderness Trip Leaders to earn certifications, including American Red Cross Life Guard Certification (LGT) and Wilderness First Responder (WFR).

Wilderness Trip Leaders must be available from June 1st- August 9th, 2027. (Start date depends on the need for WFR certification. The WFR course will begin May 28th, 2027.) Salaries are very competitive with other camps and based on the individual applicant's experience. Compensation packages include room & board plus free access to our on-site gym and a tax-free travel stipend. Additional salary bonuses are available for certain certifications and for additional weeks worked either before or after the camping season.

Both men and women are encouraged to apply. For more information about Birch Trail and to find an online application, please visit www.birchtrail.com. Please email hannah@birchtrail.com or todd@birchtrail.com for more information!