Instructors, Logisticians, Climbing Specialists, Course Directors, Support Staff- ALL POSITIONS

WORK DATES: Spring Positions: March/April through Summer-Summer Positions: May/June through August 2023 Fall Positions: September through Early to Mid-November- Approximately 45 Work Days Per Season ($7695-$8325) Paid Staff Training, Modest Staff Housing-Bunk Style, Board Provided (Summer Season Only).  

The Wilderness School (WS) is a program of the State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF).  Founded in 1974, the Wilderness School is a positive youth development program for young people ages 13-21.  It serves as an enrichment program for young people looking to make positive changes.  The Wilderness School is intended to assist our students to develop self-esteem, internal locus of control and interpersonal skills.   For many young people, the Wilderness School may serve as a prevention or intervention service.  The Wilderness School programs are an enhancement to the work of social service agencies in Connecticut and are available to the community at large. Wilderness School is currently in its 50th year of operations.

The Wilderness School base camp is in East Hartland, Connecticut in the north-central part of the state.  The program course area follows the Appalachian Trail corridor (CT and MA), as well as the regional river and mountain corridors.  In the summer, students attend 20-Day, 14-day, 10-day, 7-Day, and 5-Day expedition courses in groups of up to ten with three Instructors and with the support of several base camp staff.  The Wilderness School also conducts numerous short course (1-3 Day) programs and summer camp functions for groups seeking adventure education services.  Students who attend Wilderness School Expeditions are then eligible to participate in a fall through spring Follow-Up Program. 

Activities may involve rock climbing, hiking, canoeing, ropes/challenge course, service projects, wilderness camping, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, and winter-camping.  Additionally, the program may facilitate mindfulness/reflective activities, therapeutic art activities, and teambuilding games/challenges.  Since 2021, Wilderness School has been providing paid conservation/trail work opportunities for eligible youth.

Students are referred to the Wilderness School by many types of agencies, including DCF facilities, area offices, adolescent programs and prevention services, community youth service bureaus, school systems, child guidance clinics, independent living programs, residential facilities, and juvenile justice programs.  Our student population is diverse and representative of varied ethnic and racial backgrounds.