LA VIDA ADVENTURE CAMP

Jobs

 Join the Team!

Applications for the summer 2024 season will open November 10, 2023. Working at Adventure Camp is a fun and rewarding opportunity to provide meaningful experiences for youth on the North Shore. Our intentional staff community live on the Gordon College campus, with food and housing provided.  Please contact the camp director with any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!

La Vida Adventure Camp is an incredible opportunity to have fun while providing meaningful experiences for youth, growing in leadership skills, and working in an intentional staff community. Staff lead small groups of 10-15-year-olds on the low and high ropes course, mountain biking, kayaking, rock climbing, canoeing, and games. Staff help draw meaning out of these experiences through focusing on character development, positive self-identity, and a commitment to serving others. 

This nine-week summer commitment is full of growth, new challenges, adventure, community, character formation and fun. Many past staff describe their experience as “the best job ever!” The challenges of working long days and living intentionally are present, but these are the places that often bring forth the most growth. For over 25 years La Vida Adventure Camp has provided meaningful experiences for staff and youth on the North Shore. 

Staff Expectations and Qualifications

Expectations

Demonstrate an attitude of servant-leadership

Work long days in any kind weather 

Work with youth and staff from various backgrounds

Invest in community through expressing vulnerability and compassion

Include others and encourage their character and faith

Have a positive attitude when faced with challenges

Qualifications

18 years of age or older

Completion of one year of college (except for counselors in training)

Passion to work with youth through adventure experiences

Physical health that allows for long, outdoor work days

Ability and desire to live and work with others

Desire to grow in their faith

Adventure Camp

Positions Available

The adventure counselor builds relationships with a small group of 10–15-year-old campers and leads them through high and low ropes course activities, games, reflection, and other adventure activities. Counselors use these activities to build character, relational skills, service, and compassion. Counselors must be at least 18 years old and have completed one year of college. Those with prior Adventure Camp experience will be given priority. (Counselors in Training are 16–18 years-old and serve on a volunteer basis. See separate application for more details.)

Responsibilities

  1. Modeling strength of character, service, secure sense of identity, and positive relational skills for campers
  2. Group leadership and facilitation for small and large group activities
  3. Assisting in skill instruction for ropes course elements, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, and biking
  4. General care for the campers emotionally, physically, spiritually, socially, and mentally
  5. Translating the experience and helping campers transfer new knowledge gained
  6. Providing initial intervention with campers and with any potential discipline issues

For more information, see full job description.

Activity specialists choose to work in canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing/rock gym, mountain biking, and the ropes course. Each activity specialist is directly responsible for teaching and leading the activity that they supervise as well as providing logistical and program support during times when they are not teaching an activity. Waterfront activity staff should possess lifeguard certification. Specialists must be at least 18 years old and have completed one year of college. Those with prior Adventure Camp experience will be given priority.

NOTE: It is recommended that all activity specialists spend part of the summer as an adventure camp counselor or as another activity specialist. Please note this interest on your application.

Responsibilities

  1. Running the activity safely and at an age-appropriate level
  2. Accountability and care for the equipment and area specific to the activity
  3. Working to develop a curriculum which is safe, fun, adventurous, and fits with the mission of the camp
  4. Assisting the counselors with maintaining proper behavior of campers during the activity
  5. Assisting the program director in various support roles

For more information, see the full job description for biking, rock gym, ropes course, and waterfront specialists.

The media specialist/photographer is responsible for photographing and filming throughout the week and creating a camp slideshow and video each week, . This position requires that the applicant be familiar with Apple computers, iMovie, and iPhoto. This position also assists other staff as available.

NOTE: The option is available for staff members to spend part of the summer as photographer and part as adventure counselors. Please note this interest on your application.

Responsibilities

  1. Taking photographs of all activities, campers, groups, and staff for the slideshow, brochures, and advertising material
  2. Organizing all media electronically
  3. Developing a slideshow weekly and other tasks as assigned by the director

For more information, see full job description.

The camp registrar works in the La Vida office alongside the director and the office administrator. He or she is responsible for all camper applications, medical forms, camper information, and contacting families. The position entails weekly registration times, data entry, and phone calls/emails with camper parents. Experience with Apple computers preferred.

Registrar duties begin with a light time commitment during the spring semester and increase gradually. During the summer, this position is a 30-35 hour/week position and is paid hourly. Housing and meals may be included during the summer for this position.

Responsibilities

  1. Data entry into FileMaker database, phone calls, registration, filing, cash handling, and other administrative duties as needed
  2. Other duties as assigned by the office manager

For more information, see full job description.

This position is responsible for buying all staff food and camper snacks, cooking meals, and managing a clean and orderly food area. Cooking and organizational skills are required. The cook must be at least 19 years old and have completed one year of college. Those with prior Adventure Camp experience will be given priority.

Responsibilities

  1. Buying food (usually bi-weekly)
  2. Planning and preparing breakfasts and dinners for staff on weekdays, including a staff cookout once a week
  3. Cleaning and organizing the food area daily
  4. Organizing food for camper overnight meals as well as daily camper snacks
  5. Assisting the director as needed

For more information, see full job description

The Counselor in Training (CIT) director will invest relationally in each counselor in training during the summer and mentor them as they grow in leadership. The CIT director will be a part of a leadership team including the camp director and the assistant director. Additional leadership team responsibilities will be assigned accordingly. The CIT director must be at least 20 years old and have completed two years of college. Those with prior Adventure Camp experience will be given priority. See more CIT program information here.

NOTE: The option is available for staff members to spend part of the summer as CIT directors and part as adventure counselors. Please note this interest on your application.

Responsibilities

  1. Assisting in staff training activities as needed and running the CIT training program
  2. Developing relationships and supervising counselors in training, providing feedback and support for them, and running group meetings
  3. Running CIT small group sessions each morning
  4. Assisting the camp director with logistical support as needed

For more information, see full job description.

The On Campus Director works with the director and other leadership staff in staff development, leading staff training sessions, and as a program director for the Pathfinders program at camp. This position requires organization, creativity, maturity, and spiritual leadership. The On Campus Director works longer hours to invest in both the camp program and staff. A college degree, previous camp experience, and adventure experience required.

Responsibilities

  1. Leading staff training workshops in various adventure activities and camp philosophies
  2. Leading staff worship and providing spiritual direction for the staff
  3. Providing logistical and programmatic support to the Pathfinders (or 10– 13-year-olds) program
  4. Modeling servant leadership, strong facilitation skills, and relational ministry for the staff
  5. Holding staff accountable to the procedures and protocols of Adventure Camp and Gordon College
  6. Supervising staff and assisting staff in disciplinary measures
  7. Assisting the director in areas as needed

For more information, see full job description.

The Off Campus Director works with the director and other leadership staff in staff development, leading staff training sessions, and as a program director for the Explorers program. This position requires organization, creativity, maturity, and spiritual leadership. The Off Campus Director works longer hours to invest in both the camp program and staff. A college degree, previous camp experience, and adventure experience required.

Responsibilities

  1. Leading staff training workshops in various adventure activities and camp philosophies
  2. Leading staff worship and providing spiritual direction for the staff
  3. Providing logistical and programmatic support to the Explorers (or 14–15-year-olds) program
  4. Modeling servant leadership, strong facilitation skills, and relational ministry for the staff
  5. Holding staff accountable to the procedures and protocols of Adventure Camp and Gordon College
  6. Supervising staff and assisting staff in disciplinary measures
  7. Assisting the director in areas as needed

For more information, see full job description.

Spend your summer building relationships with college age staff and high school volunteers. Lead a variety of fun adventure activities that invite and inspire staff and volunteers to build character, cultivate community, and develop servant-leadership skills.  While growing alongside other members of the camp community, you’ll gain experience and training in many transferable skills, like public speaking, creativity, and thinking on your feet.

This role may be combined with the Adventure Camp Staff Cook role. See separate job description for more information.

RESPONSIBILITIES

    1. Be an active member of the staff leadership, helping to develop and maintain camp community
    2. Plan and lead (part of) training and spiritual development for summer staff
    3. Lead staff training workshops in various activities and camp philosophies
    4. Communicate, encourage, and enforce Gordon, La Vida staff community, and safety policies and regulations
    5. Coordinate with other leadership for planning events and assessing staff/community needs
    6. Delegate cleaning and community responsibilities as appropriate
    7. Respond to staff concerns as able, deferring to the Director or other leadership as appropriate
    8. Support and encourage commitment to La Vida’s philosophies, mission, and goals
    9. Perform other duties and roles as assigned by the Director 

For more information, see full job description.

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

Do I enjoy working with 10–15 year-olds and/or 16–18 year-olds?
This is a crucial age because many youth are trying to understand who they are and how to make friends. They are looking for guidance and positive role models who have a strong, secure sense of self. Some people get easily frustrated with this age group as they test the boundaries. Youth can tell when leaders are sincere and love them for who they are.

Am I interested in playing games, developing my facilitation skills, leading small groups, and adventure activities?
These skills are essential for La Vida Adventure Camp. Group facilitation takes time to learn, but staff who are willing to learn new skills and are invested in youth development will be more successful. Learning new skills also gives leaders the ability to relate with campers trying a skill for the first time.

Am I interested in living and working in an intentional community?
Living and working in community can be wonderful, rewarding and hard. It is a life-long process that La Vida is just a part of. La Vida is looking for staff who are honest about where they are, who are willing to grow, and are seeking to live out their faith with others. In addition to living arrangements and staff training, staff will be expected to work cooperatively with co-workers. Staff are expected to use good communication, listening, patience, love, and conflict resolution skills.

Do I have a flexible and creative spirit?
Drawing out reflection with this age group requires a little bit of creativity and the confidence to try new things. In addition to this, working with a camp schedule, youth and other co-workers often requires flexibility as situations and people change. We believe that everyone is creative in some way, and we seek to encourage staff to use their creativity to serve others.

Staff Reviews

Working for Adventure Camp was such a beautiful experience for me. The connections I made were meaningful because I got to connect with not only the kids, but my co-workers as well. Specifically speaking as a specialist, being able to share my love of water with kids was so much fun. It is wonderful being able to share the joy of the outdoors with kids. Seeing them grow in there confidence and being with them when they take the next step or blaze a new trail is what makes it all worth it.
–Janelle Maxwell

“Working at Adventure Camp is a great way to spend the summer and is my favorite job I have ever worked. I have always loved to canoe, kayak and spend time on the ropes course. Over the past two summers I even got familiar with some light mountain biking and rock climbing as part of the activities we provide for the camp. I was not the most outdoorsy person before working for Adventure Camp, but they really do teach you everything you need to know. However, nothing beats getting to hang out with the campers and being able to use all this outdoor knowledge to challenge their limits and provide a great experience for them.”
–Caylee “Kale” Stead