As a YMCA BOLD & GOLD Wilderness Instructor you'll help inspire courage, confidence, and multi-cultural leadership in diverse groups of youth through wilderness experiences throughout the Pacific Northwest!
As a small remote resort floating in the North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake Resort is a line of fifteen individual cabins built on log floats. It is the only facility on the lake and has no direct road access.
Seasonal positions include: •Office Staff: Check in/out guests, answer phone/emails, attend to guest needs, and schedule reservations for resort stay, equipment rentals, and water taxi services. •Remote Guest Service Representative: Work virtually with on-location staff, answer phone/emails, and book reservations. 40 hour/week position; requires a 2 to 3-week on-site paid training. •Housekeeper: Clean cabins and resort buildings, launder linens and towels, replenish supplies, and tend guest needs. •Truck Driver/Deckhand: Transport guest and gear in flatbed truck between Ross & Diablo Lakes, manage rental equipment, pump fuel, transport garbage/recycle, split and stock firewood, and clean marina and docks. Requires a clean driving record.
Compensation starts at $16.28/hour (with adjustments for experience plus tips), shared floating cabin living space (with bathroom, kitchen, paid utilities, and WiFi), 30% crew discount on purchases, paid training (as well as cross-training to create a strong teamwork atmosphere), complimentary use of equipment (motorboats, kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards), and incredible hiking, camping, and fishing! The season runs from mid-May through mid-November (5-day work week with two days off). Applicants must be able to work and live closely with others from all walks of life, enjoy the challenges that a remote floating resort has, and have an appreciation of the great outdoors. If you are a fun, outgoing, energetic, and motivated individual, email your resume Candi Lee.
With more than 350 members and experienced staff statewide who restore critical habitat, build trails, and respond to local and national disasters, Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) is an AmeriCorps program that provides hands-on experience, field skills, and training opportunities to young adults between 18 and 25 as well as military veterans. Crews are located statewide, from the peaks of the Olympic Peninsula to the fields of Eastern Washington.
Eager to gain hands-on environmental skills, learn new things, and serve in a team atmosphere? Serving on a WCC crew means spending your days outdoors with your five-member crew, in all types of weather, accomplishing projects that restore and enhance landscapes across Washington. You'll be led by an experienced crew supervisor who provides training, mentorship, and development opportunities. Networking opportunities abound, as project partners consist of a diverse network of more than 100 federal, local, state, and non-profit organizations! Daily activities could range from planting trees and shrubs, to using hand and power tools, to building trails, bridges, boardwalks, to gaining hands-on skills trainings, and more. The majority of WCC positions are 11-month AmeriCorps field crew positions beginning in early October, with limited opportunities to serve nine months (January start) or three months (June start). Compensation includes a semi-monthly living allowance of $1,441 ($2,882/month, pre-tax), health insurance, an AmeriCorps education award, student loan forbearance through AmeriCorps, access to a Member Assistance Program, and professionally taught, career transferable trainings. When overnight travel is required, WCC covers food and lodging. No previous outdoor or field experience is necessary. As a training program, WCC is eager to offer skill-building opportunities and hands-on experiential learning as part of their service structure. View crew descriptions on WCC's web map, then fill out the online application.
WCC Current Hiring! • If you are a young adult (18-25) or military veteran interested in spending time outside, starting a career in the environmental field, and protecting/conserving Washington's habitat, consider a term with WCC. WCC is actively recruiting members to complete a 9-month service term(January 21st to September 4th, 2025).
Seasonal Wilderness Instructors and Climbing Instructors
The YMCA BOLD (Boys Outdoor Leadership Development) & GOLD (Girls Outdoor Leadership Development) program inspires courage, confidence, and multi-cultural leadership in diverse groups of youth ages 11-18 through wilderness experiences. The challenge and beauty of the outdoors comes together on their 1 to 3 week expeditions. Small groups (9/10 participants and 2/3 instructors) travel to some of the most beautiful and natural places in the Pacific Northwest to discover what they are capable of and build their community. Your venue will be the wild and beautiful crystal-clear alpine lakes of the North Cascades, the rugged beaches of the Olympic Coast, the rock walls of Squamish and Smith Rocks, or glistening snow slopes of Mount Baker.
Do you want to make a difference in the world and have fun while doing it? As a YMCA BOLD & GOLD Wilderness Instructor (up to 45 openings!) you and your co-lead will be responsible for the physical and emotional safety of your group while engaging them in activities such as backpacking, mountaineering, paddling, and rock climbing. Instructors work from a set itinerary, manage the risks of backcountry travel, and facilitate a variety of workshops and activities that will help participants develop their own leadership style. In addition, Climbing Instructors(up to 12 openings!) are also needed to coordinate in-field aspects of wilderness based programming. Positions are available each season, with multiple season contracts available. Compensation starts at $135/day plus access to discounted trainings and pro-deals. Applicants must be able to model cultural humility and celebrate diversity, effectively working with people of different identities, backgrounds, experiences, and abilities as well as make the transference of a wilderness experience relevant to the everyday lives of underserved youth. If you are a talented educator, youth worker, and/or enthusiastic outdoor professional, view all current job openings and fill out the online application for your desired position/term.
Located on a hill rising from the waters of the Puget Sound, YMCA Camp Colman offers an enclosed saltwater lagoon and a mile and a half beach where students can enjoy boating and other water-related activities along with learning about the marine ecosystem and its inhabitants. Only 1½ hours from Seattle, Olympia and Mount Rainier, the campus is situated on 110 acres of forested, beachfront property with spectacular views of the Olympic Mountain Range.
Are you ready to enjoy waterfront views of the Olympic Mountain Range in the beautiful Pacific Northwest while working with fun, caring, and adventurous co-workers? YMCA Camp Colman Outdoor Environmental Education Program Instructors will prepare lesson plans, teach classes in marine science, forest ecology, outdoor wilderness skills and challenge education, facilitate the low/high ropes course and climbing tower, and lead activities in the organic gardens, marine center and touch tank, beach front, canoeing and row boating, archery, arts & crafts, night hikes and campfires. Positions are available during the spring (early March to mid-June — with the option to continue on through the summer months) and fall season (late August through mid-November), with flexible start/end dates. Compensation starts at $95/day, plus on-site staff housing with WiFi access and shared kitchen (including a weekly food allowance), meals in the camp lodge when programs are running, use of camp facilities and gear when not in use (sea kayaks, canoes, climbing tower, and so much more), Y membership, and experiencing a powerful, intimate community. Preference is given to applicants who have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent life experience, at least one season of experience teaching environmental education, strong communication and leadership skills, and passionate about science and the outdoors. If you have enthusiasm for working with children and a positive, committed and service-oriented attitude fill out the online application or email Ashley Gibson with any inquiries. View all current job openings »
Spring Season Job Openings • Currently seeking fifteenInstructors for the spring 2025 season (March 4th to June 8th—flex start/end date).
Residential Outdoor Program Instructors & Summer Camp Staff
Living on an island is a wonderful way of life! Camp Orkila is settled on the Northwest corner of Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands, which means that you’ll enjoy views of the Canadian Gulf Islands and spectacular sunsets every night. To get to the island, one must take an hour-long ferry ride from Anacortes to Orcas Landing. With a campus that includes a beach front on Puget Sound, old growth forests, open fields, garden and pond space, a Marine Salmon center, and various indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, Camp Orkila's Outdoor Environmental Education Program encompasses two areas of study: environmental education and challenge education.
With facilities that include an 18,000-gallon salt water aquarium, salmon hatchery, organic garden, 1,000-foot zip line, several challenge courses, climbing tower, archery range and crafts center, YMCA Camp Orkila programs include outdoor environmental education programs, summer resident camp, teen leadership, family camps, retreats and conferences, and community programs. Residential Outdoor Program Instructors are responsible for teaching classes in marine & aquatic sciences, terrestrial ecology and earth science as well as facilitating group development and challenge course activities. Seasonal Program Instructors generally work 5 days a week which includes one weekend day facilitating recreation activities for family camp and retreat programs. Positions are available during the spring (early March to mid-June), with an option to work through the summer (early June to early September), and the fall season (late August to early November). Compensation starts at $95/day, plus housing and meals (including access to a large organic garden!), a multi-week paid in-depth training of the challenge course and science curriculum, opportunities to use sea kayaks, optional discounted WFR training (spring season only) and caring, fun, adventurous and experienced co-workers! Seeking applicants with strong communication and leadership skills, current CPR/first aid certification, and a passion for youth development. Fill out the online application or email Dylan Gonda for more information.
View all current job openings »
Spring 2025 Season Job Openings • Camp Orkila is currently seeking Program Instructors (40 openings; early March to mid-June work term).
YMCA Earth Service Corps (YESC) is an innovative youth-led program that empowers students to take a hands-on role in creating a healthier environment in their schools, communities and region while nurturing a respect for diversity within the natural world. Working with over 30 school-based environmental clubs in the Greater Seattle area (and 1,400 youth each year!), YESC programs range from short-term projects like making beeswax wraps or upcycling t-shirts to long-term projects like starting a composting or recycling program at their school, advocating for environmental legislation, or getting solar panels installed at their school.
Are you passionate about inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders? Based at the Cascade People’s Center in Seattle, Program Instructors serve with 5-6 middle or high school environmental service clubs over the course of the school year by facilitating environmental and service experiences, mentoring youth, fostering relationships, connecting with volunteer Club Advisors, and recruiting teen participants. Responsibilities also include planning and facilitating regional environmental projects (habitat restoration and outdoor activities such as day hikes, snowshoeing, and kayaking as well as educational field trips that foster strong connections between youth and the natural world) and collaborating to plan four large-scale regional events including two 150+ person environmental conferences and two overnight eco-retreats. YESC is seeking to fill multiple AmeriCorps community service positions from September 3rd, 2024 through July 15th, 2025. Compensation includes extensive paid training, experience and professional development, a living stipend of $2,276/month, student loan forbearance, monthly food assistance, health insurance, transit pass/mileage reimbursement, YMCA membership, and a $7,395 AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of service. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and a U.S. citizen to qualify. If you are passionate about youth agency and voice, advocating for environmental justice, and willing to be flexible and adaptable to accommodate the needs of youth, fill out the online application or contact Chelsey Wheeler for more information.
Leadership through environmental service. YESC empowers young people to become effective, responsible, global citizens by providing opportunities for service learning, environmental education, leadership development, and cross-cultural awareness. View the YESC experience »
Adventure Treks offers multi-week outdoor adventure travel programs that help teens build life skills for future success—all while making life-long friends, exploring the most stunning landscapes, and having incredible amounts of fun along the way. Wilderness-based programs are offered both in North America (British Columbia, Alaska, California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, and North Carolina) and abroad (Scotland, Norway and Peru).
Ready to change young people’s lives and be part of one of the best student and staff communities in the industry? Being a Field Instructor at Adventure Treks is a unique and incredible opportunity—seeing students immersed in nature, fostering a community, and building their confidence and leadership on the trail! Instructors are deeply familiar with the demands of operating on the sun's clock and sleeping in a tent for weeks at a time with peers and students relying on them. In the highs and lows of a trip, they're always engaged, bringing fun to any situation, staying motivated, and working hard. Instructors are in charge of safety, satisfaction, and success. On each adventure, the four- to six-person instructor team works together to create fun, growth-oriented, and community-minded experiences, coordinate all aspects of the trip like managing group dynamics, teaching outdoor skills, maintaining equipment, and handling medical issues, and lead activities like backpacking, rock and ice climbing, mountaineering, mountain biking, canoeing, and whitewater kayaking & rafting. Compensation starts at $4,000–$4,200 for the summer plus all-inclusive employment (accommodations, meals, outfitted activities…), travel reimbursements, fall opportunities to work in North Carolina, professional development scholarships, and pro-deal access to hundreds of outdoor brands. See the qualifications page to learn more and apply!
2025 Instructor Hiring Adventure Treks is now acceptingField Instructor applications for the 2025 season!
Guides (Educators) and Coordinators (Teacher & Manager)
Work options are available in the Bay Area (CA), Denver (CO), Portland (OR), and Seattle (WA). The Bay Area is the ideal place to blend outdoor skills with an urban environment; Denver offers access to stunning natural features to explore as well as adventure sports like climbing, kayaking, and hiking; Portland offers incredible natural areas and is one of the most fantastic cities to live and play outdoors; while Seattle puts you right on the Puget Sound, with waterways to explore and the Cascade Mountains looming in the distance!
With immersive programs filled with epic stories and adventure, Trackers Earth is a youth organization dedicated to igniting children's passion for real-life adventures while learning to navigate obstacles. Trackers believes empowering kids to tackle genuine challenges, fostering resilience by developing grit and character is essential for them to thrive. Educators/Guides and Coordinators are needed for summer youth camps to create thoughtful, challenging adventures in the outdoors. Prospective staff members must have the know-how (or a great willingness to learn) diverse skill sets such as wilderness survival and bushcraft, farm craft and homesteading, archery and bow making, kayaking, fishing and foraging, martial arts, rock climbing, and blacksmithing. Trackers pays more for day and overnight camps than comparable industry organizations. Training for the majority of teachers begins in early June with the summer season running through late August. If you maintain high professional standards, are able to set and communicate boundaries for youth in a positive way, think on your feet, and are creative in challenging situations, explore current job opportunities in the Bay Area, Denver, Portland and Seattle.
Are you passionate about inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders? Based at the Cascade People’s Center in Seattle, Program Instructors serve with 5-6 middle or high school environmental service clubs over the course of the school year by facilitating environmental and service experiences, mentoring youth, fostering relationships, connecting with volunteer Club Advisors, and recruiting teen participants. Responsibilities also include planning and facilitating regional environmental projects (habitat restoration and outdoor activities such as day hikes, snowshoeing, and kayaking as well as educational field trips that foster strong connections between youth and the natural world) and collaborating to plan four large-scale regional events including two 150+ person environmental conferences and two overnight eco-retreats. YESC is seeking to fill multiple AmeriCorps community service positions from September 3rd, 2024 through July 15th, 2025. Compensation includes extensive paid training, experience and professional development, a living stipend of $2,276/month, student loan forbearance, monthly food assistance, health insurance, transit pass/mileage reimbursement, YMCA membership, and a $7,395 AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of service. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and a U.S. citizen to qualify. If you are passionate about youth agency and voice, advocating for environmental justice, and willing to be flexible and adaptable to accommodate the needs of youth, fill out the online application or contact Chelsey Wheeler for more information.
Adventure Treks is now accepting Field Instructor applications for the 2025 season!
With immersive programs filled with epic stories and adventure, Trackers Earth is a youth organization dedicated to igniting children's passion for real-life adventures while learning to navigate obstacles. Trackers believes empowering kids to tackle genuine challenges, fostering resilience by developing grit and character is essential for them to thrive. Educators/Guides and Coordinators are needed for summer youth camps to create thoughtful, challenging adventures in the outdoors. Prospective staff members must have the know-how (or a great willingness to learn) diverse skill sets such as wilderness survival and bushcraft, farm craft and homesteading, archery and bow making, kayaking, fishing and foraging, martial arts, rock climbing, and blacksmithing. Trackers pays more for day and overnight camps than comparable industry organizations. Training for the majority of teachers begins in early June with the summer season running through late August. If you maintain high professional standards, are able to set and communicate boundaries for youth in a positive way, think on your feet, and are creative in challenging situations, explore current job opportunities in the Bay Area, Denver, Portland and Seattle.