Specialist Instructor - Summer 2026

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 Alaska’s wilderness. Specialist Instructors rotate through all groups of campers in environmental education or high adventure topics related to weekly themes. Specialist Instructors are responsible for creating and implementing new lessons, activities, and games for their campers while maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all. 

Qualifications:

• Available for the duration of our summer season


• Be at least 18 years old


• Previous experience working with kids in a formal or informal setting


• 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 


• Previous experience in teaching environmental education or high adventure activities


• Interest in creating new programs with environmentally focused lessons, activities and games 


• 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


• Willingness to be flexible and step into Instructor role when scheduling necessitates


• 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 Qualifications:

• Skilled at high adventures such as mountain biking, kayaking, fishing, archery, and/or canoeing 


• Pursuing or already have a degree in environmental science, education, or related field


• Knowledge of Alaskan ecology and local environmental topics

Essential Functions:

• Arriving on time to scheduled shift and assisting with check-in or check-out depending on shift


• Working with Program Manager to prepare program bins for Instructors


• Leading a minimum of one involved lesson or activity per day for camp groups


• Assisting Instructors with setting up for and cleaning up from more involved activities


• Creating new lessons, activities and games for programs later in the summer based on templates and example programs provided by the Program Manager


• Maintaining program binders and keeping program bins well-organized


• Managing camper behavior and being a positive role model for other Instructors


• Assisting campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, injury).


• Communicating effectively with campers, parents, Assistant Instructors, Instructors, and Managers


• Working with a diverse clientele from the Anchorage community


• Possessing strength and endurance required to maintain 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

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


• Preparing lesson plans and implementing environmental and high adventure education programs


• Supervising and ensuring the safety of campers


• Keeping the program binders and program bins intact and well organized

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


• 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 Specialist Instructor reports to the Program Manager of their site


• The Specialist Instructor supports Instructors with lesson planning and leading activities

Attendance

• Attending staff training


• Attending all staff meetings


• Completing the entire length of the summer as agreed upon in contract