Trail Counselor - Daily

Trail Counselor - Daily (Transportation)

Camp Menogyn, located on the Gunflint Trail in Grand Marais, Minnesota, seeks responsible and resilient Trail Counselors to lead wilderness trips and support wilderness trip camp programming for teenage campers. This seasonal, outdoor‑intensive role involves extended backcountry travel, group leadership, and participation in broader camp activities.

Trips range from two to 40 nights across the U.S. and Canada. Guides also support base camp operations. Trail guides must be at least 18 years (or 21 if driving) and possess or can obtain certifications such as ARC Lifeguarding and Wilderness First Responder.

The Trail Counselor is responsible for leadership in group facilitation and wilderness camping for groups of teenagers, families, or adults and program support.

• Provide professional and culturally sensitive leadership to diverse groups of campers on overnight wilderness trips.
• Provide inclusive instruction in wilderness camping, canoeing, and backpacking.
• Participate in camp programs, such as campfires, group singing, and games.
• Guide and influence the trail group's social interaction and personal growth.
• Observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, and apply behavior‑management techniques.
• Promote the core values:
  Caring, Equity, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.
• Enforce safety and health regulations and emergency procedures.
• Lead a group of teenagers for at least 7 days in remote and backcountry wilderness areas.
• Complete all paperwork, including camper evaluations, parent letters and trip reports, in a timely, high‑quality manner.
• Participate in routine camp maintenance, facility upkeep and other duties as assigned.

The position reports to the Program Director and Executive Director and maintains professional, positive working relationships with the entire camp team.

• Lifeguard certification (American Red Cross, YMCA, Star Guard, or BSA).
• Basic Life Support/CPR for the Professional Rescuer, renewed annually.
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification, at least 70 hours with a practical component.
• Minimum age 18 years.
• Valid U.S. Driver’s License and DOT Medical Examiner Certificate (age 21).
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Experience or education in wilderness risk management, camp counseling, outdoor education, or related field.
• Training or experience in wilderness camping, canoeing, backpacking, and/or trip planning.
• Demonstrated good judgment without direct supervision.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

• 1 season of experience leading wilderness trips, camp counseling or a related field.
• Leadership experience with groups of youth.
• Wilderness camping experience.

• Communicate and work with groups of campers, adults and families.
• Emotional awareness, health and stability to create a supportive, empowering and affirming environment for young people.
• Identify and respond to environmental, human and other hazards related to remote travel.
• Lift and carry canoe and backpack weighing up to 100 lbs in rough and hilly terrain for extended periods of time.
• Live and work outside in extreme weather conditions.

At all times the Trail Counselor keeps the safety and enriching experience of the campers in the forefront of thoughts and actions.