Current Job Openings

Camp Wa-Ya is Hiring for our Seasonal Summer Positions. Apply Today!

We are CURRENTLY HIRING for the 2024 Summer Season!

  • Assistant Camp Director

  • Lead + Assistant Day Camp Instructors (campers ages 6-13)

  • Lead + Assistant Overnight Adventure Camp Instructors (campers ages 12-17)

  • Indigenous Fellow

  • Outdoor Leadership Interns (visit our Internship Program page HERE)

All Wa-Ya staff engage in a culturally integrated environment, where Wa-Ya’s values of respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion are practiced.

To Apply:

Step ONE: Scroll down to see the job descriptions for all available positions.

Step TWO: Complete the Camp Wa-Ya Staff Application form below.

Step THREE: Send your cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to us at camp@wayaoutdoorschool.com.

Step FOUR: Camp Wa-Ya staff will contact you to arrange an interview (in person, by phone, or video call).

AVAILABLE POSITIONS

Assistant Camp Director

Start Date: April 1, 2024 End Date: September 6, 2024

Compensation: $760 per week salary ($19/hour equivalent)

Position Overview: The Assistant Camp Director is responsible for assisting with the formulation, implementation, and management of Camp Wa-Ya’s summer camp programs.  This position will help set the tone for camp staff culture and engage in a culturally integrated environment, where Wa-Ya’s values of respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion are practiced. The position routinely engages with and works at the direction of the Executive Director and engaged Board members. 

Wa-Ya runs a 10-week summer camp program with Day Camp offerings for ages 6-13 and Adventure Camp Backpacking & Kayak trips for ages 12-17.  This position includes pre-season planning, logistical and administrative support in-season, as well as teaching and instructing environmental science and outdoor skills.  This position will also support our overnight Adventure Camp program, helping to manage logistics and safety for youth and group trips in the backcountry.

Lead Day Camp Instructor

Start Date: June 17, 2024 End Date: August 30, 2024

Compensation: $720 per week salary ($18/hour equivalent)

Position Overview:  Lead Day Camp Instructors are responsible for managing a group of 9-13 campers with the support of an Assistant Day Camp Instructor. This position creates and teaches lessons, runs activities, and organizes games for their group of campers. Our lessons are centered around a science-based curriculum, in combination with Indigenous practices and arts, outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship, and provide an environment that fosters a sense of wonder for Wa-Ya campers.

Wa-Ya runs a 10-week summer camp program with Day Camp offerings for ages 6-13 and Adventure Camp trips for ages 12-17. Camp Wa-Ya staff and campers spend most of their day outdoors, engaged in regular activity. Our programs include hiking, kayaking, and outdoor skills, and Instructors should be prepared to work outside in any weather. We visit sites in and around Olympia and Instructors are responsible for transporting campers in 12- and 15-passenger vans.

Lead Adventure Camp Instructor (Overnight Trips)

Start Date: June 12, 2024 End Date: August 30, 2024

Compensation: $720 per week salary ($18/hour equivalent) + $100/night stipend for trips

Position Overview:  The Lead Adventure Camp Instructor is responsible, with the support of an Assistant Adventure Camp Instructor, for supervising and leading campers on 4-day, 3-night backpacking and kayaking trips.  As part of pre-camp training, Instructors are given a week of intensive overnight sea kayaking and backpacking training.  Instructors provide kayak/backpacking instruction, manage risk, teach lessons, run activities, organize games, and monitor the health and safety of their group of 10 campers, ages 12-17.  During three weeks of the summer, there are no Adventure Camps scheduled and Adventure Camp Instructors will instead be leading a group of Day Campers in and around the Olympia area.

This position will teach sea kayaking, backpacking, and camping skills; Leave No Trace principles; and outdoor survival skills such as shelter building, water purification, fire building, and navigation.  This position is also responsible for pre-trip preparation and post-trip clean-up each week.  Instructors are responsible for driving campers in 12- and 15-passenger vans with a kayak trailer.

 Wa-Ya runs a 10-week summer camp program with Day Camp offerings for ages 6-13 and Adventure Camp trips for ages 12-17.  All campers participate in lessons that are centered around a science-based curriculum, in combination with Indigenous practices and arts, outdoor adventure, mindfulness, and environmental stewardship, and that provide an environment that fosters a sense of wonder for Wa-Ya campers.

Assistant Day Camp Instructor

Start Date: June 17, 2024 End Date: August 30, 2024

Compensation: $640 per week salary ($16/hour equivalent)

Position Overview:  Assistant Day Camp Instructors are responsible for assisting a Lead Day Camp Instructor in managing a group of 9-13 campers.  This position helps to create and teach lessons, run activities, and organize games for their group of campers.  Our lessons are centered around a science-based curriculum, in combination with Indigenous practices and arts, outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship, and provide an environment that fosters a sense of wonder for Wa-Ya campers.   

Wa-Ya runs a 10-week summer camp program with Day Camp offerings for ages 6-13 and Adventure Camp trips for ages 12-17.  Camp Wa-Ya staff and campers spend most of their day outdoors, engaged in regular activity.  Our programs include hiking, kayaking, and outdoor skills, and Instructors should be prepared to work outside in any weather.  We visit sites in and around Olympia and Instructors are responsible for transporting campers in 12- and 15-passenger vans.

Assistant Adventure Camp Instructor (Overnight Trips)

Start Date: June 12, 2024 End Date: August 30, 2024

Compensation: $640 per week salary ($16/hour equivalent) + $50/night stipend for trips

Position Overview: The Assistant Adventure Camp Instructor is responsible for assisting a Lead Adventure Camp Instructor in supervising and leading campers on 4-day, 3-night backpacking and kayaking trips.  As part of pre-camp training, Instructors are given a week of intensive overnight sea kayaking and backpacking training.  This position will assist with providing kayak/backpacking instruction, managing risk, teaching lessons, running activities, organizing games, and monitoring the health and safety of their group of 10 campers, ages 12-17.  During three weeks of the summer, there are no Adventure Camps scheduled and the Assistant Adventure Camp Instructor will instead be assisting a Lead Day Camp Instructor in leading a group of Day Campers in and around the Olympia area.

This position helps to teach sea kayaking, backpacking, and camping skills; Leave No Trace principles; and outdoor survival skills such as shelter building, water purification, fire building, and navigation.  This position is also responsible for assisting with pre-trip preparation and post-trip clean-up each week.  Instructors are responsible for driving campers in 12- and 15-passenger vans with a kayak trailer.

Wa-Ya runs a 10-week summer camp program with Day Camp offerings for ages 6-13 and Adventure Camp trips for ages 12-17.  All campers participate in lessons that are centered around a science-based curriculum, in combination with Indigenous practices and arts, outdoor adventure, mindfulness, and environmental stewardship, and that provide an environment that fosters a sense of wonder for Wa-Ya campers.

Indigenous Fellowship

Start Date: June 17, 2024 End Date: August 30, 2024

Compensation: $680 per week salary ($17/hour equivalent)

Position Overview: The purpose of this Fellowship is to provide an opportunity for a person connected to the Indigenous community to develop leadership and outdoor instructor skills that will result in them being comfortable with teaching large groups of diverse youth. Fellows will be trained in developing and teaching curriculum, coordinating with tribal communities and teachers, and sharing cultural knowledge in a way that is consistent with cultural teachings.

The Indigenous Fellow will assist Camp Wa-Ya Instructors in the development and delivery of curriculum, and creation of lesson plans, and will be responsible for providing instruction, running activities, and organizing games for groups of 9-13 campers. The Fellow will assist with day-to-day camp operations as needed, including but not limited to transportation, equipment and supplies management, set-up, clean-up, taking pictures, posting to Wa-Ya’s social media, and other duties as required. This position serves as the primary support staff for the creation and delivery of Wa-Ya’s Indigenous teaching objectives.

Wa-Ya runs a 10-week summer camp program with Day Camp offerings for ages 6-13 and Adventure Camp trips for ages 12-17.  Our lessons are centered around a science-based curriculum, in combination with Indigenous practices and arts, outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship, and provide an environment that fosters a sense of wonder for Wa-Ya campers.  Camp Wa-Ya staff and campers spend most of their day outdoors, engaged in regular activity.  Our programs include hiking, kayaking, and outdoor skills, and Instructors should be prepared to work outside in any weather. We visit sites in and around Olympia and Instructors are responsible for transporting campers in 12- and 15-passenger vans.

Devon, our Indigenous Fellow from 2021, describes her experience: “The Indigenous Fellow position is an incredible opportunity to be able to connect with children of varying ages in an outdoor classroom while providing a cultural perspective. The fellowship allowed me to gain the leadership skills and confidence to be able to teach large groups of youth and develop curriculum through a cultural lense. Assisting the instructors with daily activities and lessons gave me the experience needed for the lead instructor position the following year. I would highly recommend the Indigenous fellowship as an introduction to outdoor education and working amongst youth with an interest in outdoor science.”

In addition to filling out the job application (above), applicants for this position should send the following to camp@wayaoutdoorschool.com:

  • Letter of interest discussing: (1) your connection to the Indigenous community and (2) your interest in learning to teach youth in an outdoor environment.

  • Letter of recommendation or contact information from an Indigenous reference/leader who can verify your involvement in the community. 

  • Current Resume

Outdoor Leadership Internship

Wa-Ya Interns will gain invaluable leadership & hands-on job training skills in an integrated and outdoor environment. They will learn the management structures of summer camp operations and the logistics that are necessary for the support and delivery of science & adventure-based activities. Interns will be trained in developing and teaching lessons centered around a science-based curriculum, in combination with Indigenous practices and arts, outdoor adventure, and environmental stewardship. Interns will also gain experience in environmental education, group management, and technical skills training.

Non Discrimination Policy: Wa-Ya does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and campers.