Rural Alaska Camp

RURAL ALASKA PROGRAM: TRAVEL CAMP STAFF

Seasonal position. Room and board included!

Pay Rate: $15.88 per hour + $500 bonus if Lifeguard Certified (for full season completion)

Program Dates: Staff start May 25 with training. Travel to rural communities begins June 1 and ends July 31. The season ends the beginning of August with 3 days back in Anchorage for program close out.

As a member of the Rural Program Travel Staff, you’ll have the privilege of traveling to remote Alaska Native communities to deliver youth and teen-based programs with an inclusive, community-wide approach, maintaining strong community relations and cultural relevancy. You’ll support Camp Fire’s Promise to provide youth with the opportunity to find their spark, lift their voice and discover who they are.

In this position, you’ll facilitate daily activities promoting health and wellness in all program areas, such as swimming, cooking, cooperative games, stress management, learning from elders, etc. while you gain valuable experience planning, implementing family events, and outreach with community members to identify community needs, and develop successful programming. You’ll have a vital role in building relationships among campers, families, elders, and community members while collaborating with the Rural Program leadership for support, and to collect data about the program, a vital aspect of securing funding and continuous improvement in program quality.

The valuable professional and personal growth you’ll achieve through serving rural Alaskan communities will give you a lifetime experience you’ll carry with you moving forward after the season comes to an end. Join our team and make a lasting difference in the lives of our youth!

A typical day in a rural community begins with staff announcing the program over the VHF radio from their designated program space, followed by the setup of necessary supplies for the day in a local community facility or school. Teams will lead engaging activities fostering interaction and connection within the scheduled 4-hour program, which can take place either in the program space or throughout the community.

These activities are developed in collaboration with Indigenous agencies prior to the season’s start, forming part of a wellness curriculum called "Strong Kids." Staff work closely with local contacts to ensure the activities align with the community’s current needs.

Staff will get a one-hour break before reconvening for an additional hour to complete daily paperwork and planning. The workday concludes with two hours dedicated to Teen/Family Night programs or community events. On Fridays, staff focus on completing paperwork, planning, and preparing for the following week.

This reflects a middle of the season type day; within the 40-hour working week, staff will have time dedicated to connecting with community, start up and close out paperwork, and the planning and implementation of community events.

To be successful in this position you will need to have cultural awareness and be open to listening and learning from the members of the communities you will be serving. It is essential to have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate positively with others. It is imperative to be flexible and adaptive to changes and challenges that will likely arise.

• Program:
  The Rural Alaska Program travels to primarily Alaska Native communities throughout the state to deliver summer day camp programs to youth, teens, families, and elders. Camp Fire sends staff teams or 2–3 people with supplies, food, and activities to many different communities, creating a fun summer camp experience while teaching about healthy life choices, reducing high risk behaviors, and encouraging youth and community engagement.
• Location:
  
  Anchorage, Alaska for training and rural communities within Alaska. Typically teams travel to communities in June and July, providing a program that lasts 1–2 weeks in each community.
• Dates:
  Staff start May 25 with training. Travel to Rural Communities begins June 1 and ends July 31. The season ends the beginning of August with 3 days…