Summer Staff Kidder Creek Adventure Guide/Wilderness

Mount Hermon Associationorporated•Etna, CA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Kidder Creek Adventure Guide/Wilderness is a ministerial summer staff position responsible for assisting and leading campers and staff on river trips and facilitating ropes courses, rock climbing, backpacking, biking, and other adventure and recreation activities. The role supports campers’ adventure experiences in a manner consistent with Mount Hermon Association, Inc.’s (MHA) mission, vision, and values. Ministerial staff are expected to embody their Christian faith through their work, stewardship, relationships, and conduct, and to support MHA’s Christian community, programs, and retreats. Staff participate in gatherings that include prayer, worship, and Bible-centered teaching. Adventure Guides lead assigned trips and activities, maintain and inspect equipment, transport campers, and ensure camper safety. They also help prepare food during river and wilderness activities, host adventure and wilderness groups, and assist with other camp programs when adventure activities are not operating. The position includes connecting activities and experiences to applicable Biblical truths through camper debriefs. Guides may rotate into guide or counselor roles and take part in camp operations, community life, housekeeping, kitchen duties, and other duties assigned by supervisors. The role includes one to two wilderness trips during the summer and one weekend transportation-bus chaperone assignment.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age because the position requires onsite community living.
Current valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
Must hold CPR and Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certifications before summer.
Must successfully complete Kidder Creek’s River Guide School and Swift Water Rescue course, or an equivalent course from another provider, before summer.
Must complete and pass rock training during Kidder Creek staff training.
Must complete ropes lead training and pass ropes guide/lead during Kidder Creek staff training.
Food Handler’s Card.
Prior experience working with elementary, junior high, and high school students.
Ability to articulate the gospel of Jesus Christ as communicated in Scripture.
Ability to demonstrate a personal, committed, and thought-through faith in Christ.
Ability to serve as a positive role model, listener, enthusiastic leader, and friend.
Ability to follow through, be creative, and adjust to program challenges.
Ability to participate in varied outdoor activities and demonstrate sound judgment.
Ability to adapt flexibly to changing job assignments and schedules with short notice.
Willingness to drive campers in camp vehicles and agreement to comply with MHA employee driving guidelines for MHA-owned vehicles and personal vehicles used for business.
Adherence to MHA’s Mission, Vision, Values, and Commitment statements, as well as the company dress code and professional standards for grooming and appearance.
Satisfactory completion of a background investigation and ability to provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
Ability to meet the physical demands of working indoors and outdoors in varied heat, cold, wet, humid, dry, and arid conditions; sitting, standing, squatting, stooping, twisting, hiking long distances on varied terrain, swimming, climbing, shouting, ascending and descending ladders, stairs, cables, and trees using hands and feet; lifting and carrying 15–60 pounds of gear and equipment over stairs and uneven terrain; and communicating and hearing at close and long distances in adverse conditions.
Vision abilities required include close and distance vision, use of both eyes, distinguishing basic colors and shades, depth perception, peripheral vision, and adjusting focus.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of college experience.
Experience with ropes courses, rock climbing, backpacking, hiking, and/or river guiding.
Prior camp counseling experience.

Responsibilities

Guide assigned adventure trips on the river, at camp on ropes courses, and in nearby national forest and wilderness areas.
Oversee and lead assigned adventure, recreation, and guiding activities, including one to two wilderness trips during the summer.
Facilitate activities such as ropes courses, rock climbing, backpacking, biking, and other adventure or recreation activities.
Ensure camper safety during all adventure and river activities.
Care for and maintain river, adventure, and recreation equipment; conduct regular inspections and promptly report damaged or broken equipment.
Transport campers to and from wilderness, adventure, river, and camp activities.
Assist with food preparation at the river, in the wilderness, and at The Outback.
Host Outback adventure, wilderness backpacking, and river groups, and assist with Kidder Creek programs when adventure activities are not operating.
Lead camper debriefs and relate activities and experiences to applicable Biblical truth.
Rotate into guide or counselor positions for camp programs when asked.
Help keep camp areas clean and orderly, including cabins, living areas, workspaces, and supplies.
Participate enthusiastically in the broader program and help build the summer staff community through attitude, words, and actions.
Be punctual, prepared, and willing to assist with immediate or unforeseen program needs.
Perform housekeeping and kitchen duties during rotation weeks, including dishes, bathrooms, and trash.
Chaperone a transportation bus for one weekend.
Participate in staff gatherings that include prayer, worship, and Bible-centered teaching.
Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors.