Instructor / Assistant Instructor - Summer 2026

Salary: $17.50-$19.50 hourly

NOTE FOR 2026: We do not have any more space in shared staff housing for 2026. All future applicants will be responsible for finding their own lodging for the duration of the summer.

Trailside Discovery Camp is an award winning 12-week summer camp for local Alaskans ages 5-14 that offers environmental education and high adventure day programs as well as overnight trips that take campers into Alaskas wilderness.

Instructors lead groups of campers in environmental education or high adventure topics. Instructors are responsible for running lessons, activities, and games for their campers while maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all.

Assistant instructors support Instructors and help lead groups. This position is excellent for those looking to gain experience in childcare, environmental education, and/or high adventures with support from more experienced Instructors.

Camp Locations (preferences to be discussed in the interview process):

• Kincaid Park
• Russian Jack Park
• Ruth Arcand Park
• Birchwood Elementary (Eagle River)
  

Qualifications for both positions:

• Available for the duration of our summer season
• Current First Aid/CPR certification (we offer a course during staff training!)
• Ability to work well with other instructors, managers, and campers ages 5-14
• Skilled at time management and prioritizing tasks in order to facilitate the best experience possible for campers
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Desire to be a part of a diverse team from different life backgrounds
• Self-motivated and passionate about our mission of environmental stewardship
• Committed to reflecting the values of Trailside Discovery Camp and The Alaska Center Education Fund by working towards justice, equity, and inclusion in the world of environmental activism - this includes respecting all aspects of human diversity, including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, disability, and sexual orientation
• Preferred: Skilled at high adventures such as mountain biking, kayaking, fishing, archery, and/or canoeing
• Preferred: Knowledge of Alaskan ecology and local environmental topics
  

Qualifications for Assistant Instructors:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Ability to follow a schedule and listen to Instructors in order to provide useful support during lessons, activities, and games
• Genuine interest in environmental education

Qualifications for Instructors:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Previous experience working with kids in a formal or informal setting
• Ability to implement written lesson plans, follow a schedule, and think on your feet to come up with your own lessons, activities, and games when needed
• Preferred: Previous experience in teaching environmental education or high adventure activities
• Preferred: Pursuing or already have a degree in environmental science, education, or related field

Essential functions for both positions:

• Arriving on time to scheduled shift
• Creating behavior contracts with your camp groups and defining clear expectations so campers can have fun and be safe
• Implementing scheduled lessons, activities, and games for assigned camp group
• Having your own back-pocket activities ready to be used if/when scheduled activities move quicker than expected
• Maintaining program binders and keeping program bins well-organized
• Managing camper behavior and being a positive role model
• Remaining with assigned group at all times, including during snack and lunch breaks and all activities during the camp day
• Assisting campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, injury).
• Communicating effectively with campers, other Assistant Instructors / Instructors, Specialists, and Managers
• Supervising loading and unloading of camp vans
• Possessing strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers
• Appropriately responding to environmental, wildlife, and other natural hazards
• Attending mandatory staff training and meetings throughout the summer
• Singing songs and participating in opening/closing ceremonies
• Working with a diverse clientele from the Anchorage community

Additional Essential Functions for Instructors:

• Spending first 30 minutes of workday reviewing program binder while keeping an eye on campers
• Filling out daily schedules to share with Program Manager
• Communicating effectively with parents
• Providing mentorship to the Assistant Instructor who is assigned to your group

Other Job Responsibilities:

Program

• Reflecting the values of Trailside Discovery Camp and The Alaska Center by demonstrating environmental stewardship
• Upholding Alaska Center Education Fund and Trailside Discovery Camp mission and cultural values by exhibiting cross cultural competency
• Maintaining the standards of the American Camping Association
• Planning and delivering environmental education and/or high adventure programs for campers ages 5-14
• Implementing environmental and high adventure education programs
• Supervising and ensuring the safety of campers
• Coordinating with Specialists, Program Manager, Site Manager, and Logistics Manager for the implementation of logistical plans and transportation schedules

Childcare

• Recognizing and appropriately responding to hazards and emergencies
• Maintaining American Camping Association standards
• Encouraging the personal and social development of children
• Reporting all accidents, significant illnesses, and/or signs of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse to the Camp Director
• Remaining with camp group at all times
• Managing camper behavior and defining clear expectations

Records

• Perform attendance each morning to ensure an accurate group headcount
• Submit requests in advance to change daily schedule if desired
• Protect the confidentiality of the participants records

Supervision and Support

• The Instructor and Assistant Instructor reports to the Program Manager of their site
• The Instructor supports the Assistant Instructor that they are paired with each week

Attendance

• Attend staff training
• Attend weekly staff meetings
• Complete the entire length of the summer as agreed upon in contract

Compensation: See our wage schedule based on education and experience.