Adventure Staff

If you’re looking for a job in the camp community that allows you to be challenged, expand your skills, experience the outdoors, travel to some of the most beautiful and remote parts of the country, and have tons of fun, then a Tbird wilderness job might just be for you! Beyond the multi-specialty program at our site in Minnesota, we offer all our campers an opportunity to embark on wilderness adventures in canoeing, biking, climbing, sailing, and fishing experiences. These trips range in length from one to seven nights. Our campers in 8th grade also participate in a program called Progressions, a series of backpacking and canoe trips where campers learn to grow their soft and hard skills, preparing them for T-Bird Expeditions. Finally, our oldest campers embark on multi-week expedition programs to the Pacific Northwest, the Western US and Canadian Rockies, Alaska, and the Canadian Northwoods. For many campers who spend summer after summer with us, these trips are the pinnacle of their camp experience.

Whether you’re a trip leader or expedition trip leader, all Camp Thunderbird Adventure Staff are held to a high standard.

• WFR certification or willingness to obtain (We certify WFR in late May)
• Previous wilderness experience as a leader or a participant including: meal and route planning and group skills.
• Minimal experience? Our in camp Trip Leader position may be a great fit for you.
• Desire to work and live with campers and act as a caregiver and trip leader.
• Fun, caring, and motivated with a desire to work and play in the outdoors.
• Available from June 8th to August 11th (may be negotiable for certain Wilderness Programs).
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, creative problem-solving skills and resiliency.

View Boys Camp Wilderness Trips
View Girls Camp Wilderness Trips

• Work as a team with 3 other Trip Leaders to manage a group of 10–18 teenagers on a 5-week trip across Washington state or the Western U.S. and Canada.
• Co-lead in the backcountry (with one other Trip Leader) a group of 6–10 campers on various backpacking, canoeing, or biking trips that range from 3 to 8 days in length.
• Manage the larger group in the front-country, including transporting campers in 15-passenger vans, purchasing and providing meals, planning trip logistics, prepping backcountry trips, and communicating with Camp Directors.
• Handle all other aspects of trip management to ensure the physical and emotional safety of all campers.
• Note: Due to insurance restrictions, Expedition Trip Leaders are usually 21+ years of age and must have a mostly clean driving record and the ability to drive a fifteen passenger van. Under 21 year olds are welcome to apply for our Trip Leader positions.

View Boys Camp Expeditions
View Girls Camp Expeditions

Curious about working in our wilderness programs? Click below to check out the two different positions we offer!