Overview
Description
Instructor – Canoe & Backpack
Field Staff · Ely, MN
Why work for the Voyageur Outward Bound School Ely Base?
Spend your summer on the edge of the Boundary Waters—America’s premier canoeing wilderness area and one of the few places like it in the world. As a member of our team, you’ll help deliver wilderness courses that challenge and inspire students to:
Work and communicate effectively with their peers
Build resilience through shared challenges and successes
Develop self-awareness, honing their strengths and leadership roles
Reflect and apply learning from their course to life back home
Have fun while creating lifelong connections
This is more than a job; it’s a chance to grow personally and professionally while making a lasting impact on the lives of young people. If you’re passionate about the outdoors, eager to create unforgettable experiences, and ready to be part of something bigger, we’d love to have you on our team.
POSITION SUMMARY
This is a seasonal position (arriving in May and continuing through August) working primarily in the field. Candidates are required to attend a pre-employment training before the season begins that includes wilderness travel training, technical skills training, OB curriculum and educational philosophy.
On-the- job training continues when the Instructor (I) begins working in the field under the supervision of a Course Director and Lead Instructor (LI). Working as part of an instructional team, Instructors are expected to observe, learn, and practice the art of facilitating educationally effective programs and teaching students the skills necessary to thrive on a wilderness expedition. They are also expected to learn and follow VOBS safety policies and procedures meant to mitigate the risks inherent to remote travel.
VOBS serves a wide range of student populations. The majority of our students are youth and young adults between the ages of 14 and 25. We have “Classic” courses, our standard expedition format, ranging in length from 8 days to 22 days. Additionally, we have courses with specially designed curriculum such as our Pathfinder and Intercept programs. VOBS also works with intact groups, creating the opportunity to work a variety of programs throughout the summer.
About Voyageur Outward Bound School
We challenge you to change a life.
We challenge you to change your community.
We challenge you to change the world!
The need for leaders of character and compassion is great.
For over 60 years, Voyageur Outward Bound School (VOBS) has changed lives through challenge and discovery. We know that personal discovery leads to positive transformation. Our students grow character and compassion through nature-based adventure. Our vision is more resilient and compassionate people for a more resilient and compassionate world.
Voyageur Outward Bound School is a charter of Outward Bound USA, the leading provider of experiential education for youth and adults. We design and deliver intensive single-day and extended wilderness expedition experiences that build and develop character, leadership and service through shared experience.
VOBS delivers high impact programs across two sites: Twin Cities Center in St Paul MN & Homeplace Wilderness Basecamp in Ely, MN.
