Apprenticeship Position

Overview

Appalachian Expeditions acknowledges that systematic oppression has made it challenging for many people to access the outdoors. As members of the outdoor industry, we want to create a more inclusive environment and make it easier for all people to get outside. We believe that the natural world is inherent in our identities and essential to who we are as humans, no matter where we come from or what we look like. For these reasons, people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and non-binary folks are encouraged to apply.

We want to work with you to co-create an apprenticeship that takes you to the places you want to reach in the outdoor education industry, while gaining valuable experience leading in the outdoors. Additionally, this position offers administrative “behind the scenes” access to a small nonprofit organization for folks who may have outdoor educator experience and are looking to expand their influence by starting or building other outdoor programs. We look forward to working with you, as an individual, to support your goals and meet our organizational needs.

Job Description:

Throughout the course of this contract (May 30-August 30), the apprentice will serve three distinct roles, outlined below.

The apprenticeship will begin with a seven-day training trip. On this trip we will backpack and canoe throughout the Cheat River watershed while teaching our foundational curriculum involving leadership, technical skills, and environmental understanding. This training trip runs May 30-June 5, 2026 and sets the stage for teaching these skills to our participants. Throughout this trip, the apprentice’s role will be to absorb the curriculum, systems, and ideologies that are the focus of APEX.

After the training trip, we will begin our programming season. Here, the apprentice will work as part of an experienced instructor team. They will teach wilderness skills, leadership lessons, and other classes that were introduced on the training trip. Additionally, they will be involved in planning logistics, making risk management decisions in the field, and participating as a member and leader of the group in games, activities, and lessons.

Lastly, the apprentice will develop their own leadership and teaching styles through supportive lesson prep, observation, and feedback. The goal is to help the apprentice grow into a leader within the outdoor industry. This outcome of the apprenticeship is dependent on the individual needs and desires of the apprentice. Within this context, the apprentice will be an integral part of the inner circle of a small leadership team at APEX. We are here to support apprentices’ visions and goals beyond their experience with Appalachian Expeditions.

An important distinction between the roles of instructors and apprentices is the degree of support administrators provide. In the field, instructors and apprentices will have the same roles, responsibilities, and voice. As an apprentice, APEX will provide additional

Tagged as: Teaching/Education

Qualifications:

Age 21 and up
Affinity for the outdoors. You must enjoy being outside for extended periods. Our longest program is two weeks in length, during that time apprentices will be backpacking and/or camping on the river and will have limited access to frontcountry amenities (i.e. flushing toilets).
A desire to teach. This is an outdoor education apprenticeship. We are looking for someone who is excited to teach through experiential education.
A desire to work with children of all ages. Age ranges for o