Calleva – Adventure is not in the guidebooks and beauty is not on the maps.

Introducing kids and adults to gorgeous wilderness areas in the DC area, Calleva Instructors facilitate outdoor adventure camps & traveling programs!

Adventure is not in the guidebooks and beauty is not on the maps. For over 25 years, Calleva has built a reputation for excellence and innovation in outdoor education and outdoor adventure programming. Their mission is to get people of all ages outdoors, providing an educational and challenging environment that promotes personal growth, group cooperation and leadership skill through outdoor activities.

Over the years, Calleva has developed its own unique brand of outdoor adventure that encompasses summer camp, river school, nature immersion and small-scale sustainable farming. Rather than headquarter all of their activities in a single location, they have created an innovative variety of mobile programming, taking participants to the best parks, trails, rivers and rocks in the region while operating a 165-acre educational farm in Montgomery County's Agricultural Reserve.

2024 Employment Opportunities

It's obvious that everyone who works at Calleva has a zest for life, the outdoors, for leadership and for growth.

Introducing kids and adults to gorgeous wilderness areas in the DC area, Calleva Instructors facilitate outdoor adventure camps and traveling programs for groups in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.

Fall Season Instructor/Facilitator Hiring!
Calleva is actively recruiting seasonal Instructor/Facilitators to begin work in late summer through mid-November. Apply here.

3-Season Instructor/Facilitators
Duration: 7 months (April to mid-November)
During the spring and fall season, Outdoor Education Facilitators will lead 5th–10th grade school students on day and multi-day programs including outdoor adventures, environmental and agricultural education and Calleva’s unique forest ropes challenge course. During the summer months, three season staff either lead or co-lead adventure-based camp programs.

Summer Camp Instructors
Duration: 3 Months (June 1st to August 31st)
As passionate, experienced outdoor adventurers, Summer Camp Instructors are certified and trained in a specific activity and facilitate weeklong outdoor adventure day camps, residential camps and traveling overnights for youth ages 8-14. Activities include canoeing, kayaking, rafting, stand-up paddle boarding, sailing, surfing, fishing, rock climbing, mountain biking, environmental education, farming, horseback riding, and general camping. Instructors facilitate a new adventure pursuit each week and lead small groups of campers as they explore a variety of outdoor recreation sites.

Applicants for an Instructor position should have great communication, teaching and leadership skills, plus a strong sense of responsibility and professionalism. They should possess extensive experience in their field of expertise and enthusiasm for sharing outdoor adventures with campers. A positive attitude, fun, flexibility, and a strong work ethic are essential.

Late Summer/Fall Season Facilitators
Duration: 3 months (early August to mid-November)
Outdoor Education Facilitators will lead 5th–10th grade school students on day and multi-day programs including outdoor adventures, environmental and agricultural education and Calleva’s unique forest ropes challenge course.

As a Calleva Counselor, we are given the opportunity to better the days of every camper that passes through here, not just by teaching them various outdoorsy skills, but also valuable life skills. There is no better feeling than knowing you've made a positive impact on a camper's life when you go to sleep each night. –Jack

Location

Calleva staff will get the best of both worlds — city life and working in the country.

Calleva is located 20 minutes outside of DC and a perfect launching point for wild and wonderful West Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. The three main campuses include Riley’s Lock (C&O Canal National Park—great for water-based programs like kayaking, canoeing, and fishing); the Calleva Farm (located in Dickerson, Maryland—the hub for agricultural education and horseback riding programs), and the new 250+ acre Madeira site in Virginia (the riverfront property has rock climbing on site, a full ropes course, and access to some of the best whitewater on the Potomac River). Calleva staff will get the best of both worlds—city life and working in the country.

Calleva is a place where people can grow in leadership and within themselves. I love working at Calleva because of the energy that all the Instructors and Counselors have. I've never been a part of something that has such an electric energy about it. It's obvious that everyone who works at Calleva has a zest for life, the outdoors, for leadership and for growth. I love being a part of that. –Katie

Perks & Rewards

Calleva is a great place to work because there are so many opportunities to learn an unbelievable amount of outdoor skills as well as crucial life skills, that all contribute to becoming an experienced, well-rounded individual.

• First year seasonal Facilitators (21+ years): $650+/week
• Summer Adventure Camp Instructors (21+ years): $750-$1,000/week
• Counselors and Day Camp Instructors (18+ years): $600+/week

Perks include meals for all overnight trips, extensive training and development, pro deal purchases, personal use of program equipment, discounts on professional development courses and training certifications, and the opportunity to be a part of an active community of enthusiastic outdoor leaders. Bunk-style accommodations for staff (located 10 minutes from Calleva's main site) is provided for $60/week.

Calleva is a great place to work because there are so many opportunities to learn an unbelievable amount of outdoor skills (like climbing, kayaking, camping) as well as crucial life skills (like leadership, confidence, problem solving), that all contribute to becoming an experienced, well-rounded individual. The friendly and passionate staff here are what set Calleva apart from other places, for they foster lasting relationships through unending support, uncontrollable laughter, and unforgettable adventures. –Bill

The Essentials

You must be able to demonstrate solid outdoor skills, hard skills and proficiency in the activity of your choice and excellent all round soft skills.

Calleva is looking for individuals who are committed to building on their core values:
• Community and teamwork
• Personal responsibility and empowerment
• Stewardship
• Tradition
• Loyalty and commitment
• Integrity
• Curiosity

Calleva values people with diverse life experiences who seek adventure in their personal lives. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and be passionate about sharing their love of the outdoors with children.

All staff must have considerable proficiency in teaching and communicating with participants of diverse backgrounds and needs. You must also be able to demonstrate solid outdoor skills, hard skills, and proficiency in the activity of your choice and excellent all-round soft skills.

Future Instructors must have a valid driver's license and pass a DOT Commercial Motor Vehicle (DMV) physical. Those driving a large bus or towing a trailer are required to have a CDL. Applicants should be comfortable working and driving in varying weather conditions as many programs are physically and mentally demanding. All staff must be physically capable of camping and moderately heavy activity equipment over long distances and uneven terrain.

No matter how smelly or wet or tired I am at the end of the day, I have a smile on my face. Calleva is truly an empowering and rewarding job that follows me everywhere and inspires me no matter what I'm doing. –Nick

Connections & Application

Applications are accepted year-round for upcoming program seasons. Preference is given to applicants who are able to work for the entire length of the employment period. Both three season and summer positions are typically filled by early March. To apply, email a current resume and cover letter to Lucy Martin.

Did you know?
The word Calleva means where the paths cross — so it’s a great name for a crew that gets around as much as they do!

Lucy Martin
Adventure Camp Director
Calleva
13015 Riley's Lock Rd.
Poolesville, MD 20837
(301) 216-1248
lucy@calleva.org
Calleva.org

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