Summer Backpacking Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Looking for a job that combines teaching, adventure, and the outdoors? Spend your season at Bryant Pond 4-H Learning Center, leading youth in environmental education,  trips, campfires, and community building. You'll gain real-world experience, build leadership skills, and make lasting memories all while working in one of Maine's most beautiful outdoor classrooms.

Statement of the Job:

As a Overnight Summer Camp Counselor- Trip Leader, you will play an integral role in leading outdoor leadership programs for teenagers, guiding them through 3-6 day trips that include camping, hiking, and canoeing adventures. You will likely facilitate the Junior Maine Guide program, a four-week intensive program for high schoolers, culminating in the final week at an off-site testing camp. At the start of the summer you will participate in a comprehensive two-week training to hone your practical skills, after which you'll co-lead multiple-week sessions focused on essential leadership skills such as communication, team-building, and outdoor safety. Your responsibilities will include planning and implementing engaging lessons, supervising campers for their safety and well-being, preparing meals for trips, and driving 12-passenger vans to various program sites, all while modeling positive behavior and environmental stewardship. Stipend is $475 - $550 per week for about 30 weeks, including paid training, paid in bi-weekly installments. 

We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.

Complete Job Description

Qualifications:

Required: 

• You have experience leading camping/backpacking/canoeing trips 
• You need a High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.)
• You need a minimum of 2 years related experience working with teenagers and teaching in the outdoors or equivalent

AND/OR

• You need to hold an additional certification that is value added to keep our campers safe like: 
  • Lifeguard certification
  • Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification

Preferred: 

• You hold a higher additional certification that is specific to the outdoors like: 
  • Wilderness Responder Certification
  • Small Craft Water Safety Certification
  • Maine Trip Leader Permit
• With or without accommodation, you have the ability to lead groups outdoors over various terrain with 35+ lbs. packs for extended days and the ability to assist in carrying canoes (85 lb.) with others
• You can demonstrate responsible and safe decision-making skills in all aspects of outdoor camp programming.
• You have a genuine motivation to work with children in a vibrant, high-energy outdoor setting where every day is an adventure.
• You demonstrate responsible and safe decision-making skills, ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience for all campers during outdoor programming

About Bryant Pond 4-H Learning Center:

The 4-H Camp and Learning Centers provide environmentally focused programs for Maine youth and families in Bryant Pond. Our mission is to teach youth and adults to be effective and caring citizens of the earth through affordable environmental education and fun nature-based experiences. The camp is located in Bryant Pond, Maine is nestled on the shores of Lake Christopher with 160 acres of forest and mountain trails leading to remote campsites, streams, ponds, wetlands, and a mountain summit. A short drive from the camp you can be in the beautiful White Mountain National Forest and the Rangeley Lakes area. The local area provides many opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts including rock climbing, backpacking, hunting and fishing, canoeing, and a large winter ski and sport industry. Portland, Maine's largest city is only an hour's drive with live music, great food, and shopping.
 

Other Information:

To be considered for this position, you will need to "Apply" and either upload the documentation listed below:

1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position
2.) a resume/curriculum vitae

OR

Fill out your education and work history in the application where requested. 

Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide a list of names and contact information for three references.

Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

These materials are reviewed on a weekly basis. Materials must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. EST on June 1, 2026 to be considered for Summer 2026.

For questions about the search, please contact Reid Johnson, reid.johnson1@maine.edu.

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.
 

The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law, the System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability (physical or mental), genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education, programs and activities, and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment, you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, Orono, ME 04469-5713, by calling 207.581.1226, or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint, please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at www.maine.edu/title-ix/.

Clery Act

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University's current campus security policies. You may view the University's Annual Security Report. If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or you need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact: UMaine Police Department, 81 Rangeley Rd., The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5794, or call 207.581.4053.