Camp Caldera Challenge Course Assistant

Caldera • Sisters, OR

4d • $105 • Onsite

About The Position

This position will be a part of Camp Caldera’s Adventure Team. The Challenge Course Assistant supports the Challenge Course Facilitator in the daily operations of the course’s eight low elements and three high elements. This role involves assisting in the setup, maintenance, and facilitation of activities while ensuring participant safety, engagement, and enjoyment. The Challenge Course Assistant will work closely with participants, instructors, and other team members to provide a positive, educational, and challenging experience for individuals and groups.

Requirements

• At least two years of previous experience in outdoor recreation, adventure programming, or similar roles
• Strong communication skills and experience facilitating groups of youth
• High degree of flexibility and adaptability to rapidly changing situations
• Ability to understand our racially diverse student population’s perspective, either through lived experience, previous qualifications, or work experience
• Ability to navigate through potentially triggering and challenging conversations and situations while maintaining focus on the wellbeing of youth
• Ability to discreetly and effectively handle information of a confidential or sensitive nature
• Ability to set appropriate boundaries in a proactive and positive manner
• Must pass a background check. Caldera considers systemic injustices when investigating findings
• Willingness to live in a camp setting and work irregular and long hours. Additionally, you must have the ability to deal with limited cell and internet service and daily exposure to outdoor factors such as sun, heat, bugs, bats, snakes, etc.
• Familiarity with culturally responsive and anti-oppression frameworks and experience working with racially and ethnically diverse staff and youth
• Familiarity with social-emotional learning and/or restorative justice principles and tactics to support youth growth in that area
• Serve as mandatory reporter, working with Youth Impact Manager to report instances or suspicion of child abuse. Caldera has a zero tolerance policy around child abuse, and any negligence will result in immediate dismissal
• Requires on-site living in shared staff quarters
• Alcohol and drugs are not permitted on campus, even in personal living quarters.
• Must be physically able to move around 116 acres of camp property with varied terrain
• Must have visual, perceptual, and cognitive ability to recognize and respond quickly to health and safety concerns of students and appropriately re-direct any behavior that is misaligned with Caldera agreements
• Employees must carry out their duties regardless of inclement weather, which can include but is not limited to, heat, rain, wind, cold, and smoky or dusty conditions.
• Moments of quiet and non-activity are few and spread out
• Creating a cohesive staff environment round the clock can be challenging. It is crucial that staff see youth and adults through a strengths-based lens and prioritize creating the best possible youth experience at all times, despite what challenges may arise at the staff level

Nice To Haves

• CPR and First Aid certification highly preferred
• Bilingual and/or bicultural skills highly desired

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing and inspecting challenge course equipment
• Monitor participants during activities to ensure they are following safety guidelines and protocols.
• Provide on-the-ground support during activities, offering encouragement and helping participants navigate challenges.
• Respond to any safety concerns or emergencies as directed by lead staff.
• Assist with group debriefs, offering insights into team dynamics and individual progress.
• Help with the setup and teardown of courses and equipment.
• Conduct routine checks on challenge course elements to ensure they are in good working condition.
• Assist with equipment inventory and organization.
• Provide encouragement and positive reinforcement throughout the experience.
• Assist with administrative tasks related to the challenge course
• Alert supervisor to relevant camper issues
• Promote program understanding and involvement through Caldera’s goals and agreements, participation agreement, and responsibility process
• Actively participate in all aspects of camp life including: camper orientation, community meetings, evening activities, campfire, free time, etc.
• Model appropriate camper behavior at all times
• Perform duties with consistency and integrity
• Set and respect personal boundaries while acting as mentors, guides, and allies to campers
• Oversee health and safety of charges in fire drills and emergency procedures
• Maintain cleanliness of living and common areas and help with clean-up at the end of each session

Benefits

• Room and board provided during days with programming; room only during non-programming days.
• A light dinner will be provided on staff arrival days.
• Brunch is served on the last day of each session.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed