Overview
Bring your full self and be a part of an intentional, experienced, and passionate team! This full-time, seasonal position is based near Tahoe City, California. Instructors work to deliver our Immersive Course (34 days) or two Stepping Stone Courses (11 days). All courses include wilderness experiences (4-8 day backpacking trips, rock climbing, and/or whitewater rafting) interwoven with intentional literacy and leadership curricula at our basecamp (English and science classes, writing workshops, and community conversations). Everyone attends our 10-day paid All Staff Training and joins us with the skills and experience to contribute to a well-rounded team. This position is ideal for someone who loves working with high school students and shares our commitment to diversifying the outdoors
We are hiring Instructors for the following courses and dates in North Lake Tahoe, California:
Required and Paid All Staff Training:
June 8-17
Immersive Course (34-day course):
Prep: June 20-22 and 28, Course: June 29-Aug 1, Post: Aug 2-3
Stepping Stone Courses (two 11-day courses):
A) Prep: June 20-22, Course: June 23-July 3, Post: July 4
B) Prep: July 7, Course: July 8-18, Post: July 19-20
INSTRUCTORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR
● Creating a safe, open, and inclusive culture for students and staff
● Working collaboratively with 3–4 teammates to lead a cohort of up to 12 high school students
● Following rigorous daily schedules leading backpacking and basecamp programming
● Teaching backcountry skills, including but not limited to:
● Backcountry Living: expedition preparation, navigation, hiking technique, camp setup, and cooking
● Wilderness Risk Management: first aid, judgement and decision making, terrain management, and self and group care
● Teaching pre-planned lessons from ARC’s academic curriculum, including but not limited to
● English: guide students through the writing process and prepare students for our public speaking event
● Environmental Science: teach observation-based lessons and impart sense of place
● Community Conversations: facilitate our identity and leadership development progression
● Consistently role modeling appropriate vulnerability, teamwork, and self-care
● Managing student safety in all course environments and following all risk management protocols
● Driving students in SUVs between course areas
Qualifications:
● Experience backpacking, leading wilderness programs, and managing outdoor risk
● Experience teaching or mentoring in any setting
● Self-awareness to responsibly facilitate conversations about identity in demographically mixed groups
● Proven ability to maintain high energy and a positive mental attitude with little to no time off and limited personal space
● Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Required Skills:
● Commitment to social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion
● Strong interpersonal skills to connect effectively with high school-aged youth and community members
● Experience being flexible and adaptable under changing circumstances
● Experience working effectively in a team and independently
Preferred Skills:
● Wilderness First Responder and CPR certifications (required; must be completed by June 2026)
● Bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English (preferred but not required)
● 21 and older (preferred but not required)
● Vehicle recommended for personal use (preferred but not required)
About Adventure Risk Challenge
Since 2004, ARC has facilitated relationship-centered literacy and leadership development programming, using the outdoors as our classroom. We offer a multi-year progression that provides opportunities for rural and low-income high school students in the Tahoe/Truckee and Central Valley regions to grow to be more deeply engaged learners, leaders, and community members. Our students become more empowered versions of themselves as they gain confidence in a supportive environment. Explore what our students have to say by watching “In Our Own Words” or reading student writing from past summers.
