Overview
Eagle’s Nest Camp and Hante Adventures
Part of the Eagle’s Nest Foundation based in Pisgah Forest, NC
Hante Lead Instructor and Hante Assistant Instructor
Job Description, November 2025
Specific to Hante Scotland, June 20 2026 to July 9 2026
Direct Supervisors
Assistant Camp Director, Hante Lead Instructor
Overview
Hantes are outdoor, experiential, and cultural trips for young people. During the course of a Hante, participants practice sustainable camping and outdoor living skills, gain a heightened appreciation and understanding of the natural world, and learn how to live within a small community in a novel setting. Every Hante includes an enrichment component beyond the outdoor technical skill, to illuminate the multi-faceted learning environment the natural world offers.
Participants arrive to Hante courses at varying stages of life and development, with a wide array of interest and abilities. What they will all have in common is a desire for a new experience with a new group of people, and an openness to uncertainty. Hante Instructors will be expected to manage and mentor the possibility of a wide range in age and skill.
Most importantly, Instructors will be responsible for participant safety and well-being. This will be guided by learning and following Eagle’s Nest Foundation (ENF) policies and procedures. Access to these policies and procedures will be given in the spring, and will be reviewed before departing for the trip.
Duties and Responsibilities, at Camp and in the Field
Live and work with a group of 6-10 participants and other experienced instructors during a three-week Camp session. The trip, which takes place during the three-week Camp session, will begin and end at Eagle’s Nest Camp.
Lead or assist in the delivery of enrichment curriculum related to subjects such as art, craft, culture, anthropological study, community service, and modeling of curious inquiry. This curriculum runs parallel to the outdoor skills and leadership curriculum, making Hante Adventures unique in a field of outdoor adventure options for young people.
Assist and coach participants with daily functions throughout the trip, which can include preparing meals, cleaning and organizing gear, understanding proper hygiene, navigating group dynamics, continuing development of applicable skills, and deeper learning of the course’s enrichment component.
Assist and coach participants with managing the uncertainty inevitable to a trip with a new group of people in a new setting, such as homesickness, newfound personal needs within a unique routine, and mental, physical, and environmental discomfort.
Plan and implement goal-aligned lesson plans and activities throughout the trip, and mentor participants who desire to teach their own passions or new learnings.
Understand and manage all gear associated with the trip, including its care, organized storage, inventory and upkeep. For more details please contact Ed Haubenreiser at ed@enf.org.
Qualifications:
At least 21 years of age. Available to fulfill the Pre-Trip Responsibilities, including meeting virtually during the spring and arriving to Eagle’s Nest Camp the week before the trip start date. First Aid and CPR Certification, or willingness and ability to obtain this certification through staff training. Preference will be given to Wilderness First Responder Certification or higher.
Required Skills:
Personal or institutional experience with camping, backpacking, or other forms of outdoor adventure technical pursuits. Personal or institutional experience with tutoring, teaching, mentoring others in cultural, visual and/or performing art, craft, or similar areas of study. Previous experience leading groups of young people, preferably in a wilderness setting or an extended period of time. Have a passion for being of service to others, for the natural world, and for the field of experiential education.
Preferred Skills:
Certifications and training in areas such as Leave No Trace, lifeguarding, environmental science, paddling, and climbing are also appreciated.
About Eagle's Nest Camp and Hante Adventures
Eagle’s Nest Camp is located on 200 acres of wooded land in the lush mountains of Western North Carolina just southwest of Asheville and down the road from Pisgah National Forest. Eagle’s Nest provides a joyful, inclusive community where campers finishing kindergarten - 11th grade are treated with respect and compassion. Campers have the opportunity to participate in 1-3 week long sessions which emphasize nature, arts, and community living while taking visual and performing arts, athletic and outdoor classes. Eagle’s Nest is an independent non-profit organization. We also host an outdoor adventure program for teens giving them the opportunity to spend two - three weeks backpacking, rock climbing and white water canoeing in North Carolina, across the country, and internationally.
