Birch Trail Camp for Girls

Gabe Chernov & Barbara Chernov, directors * Todd Kestin & Maggie Scanlan, assistant directors

Wilderness Trip Leader

About Birch Trail Camp: Birch Trail is a traditional summer camp for girls aged 7-15 located in Minong, Wisconsin.  We provide a safe, fun, and non-competitive summer camp environment for almost 220 campers and close to 140 staff. While in camp, the girls have the opportunity to do a wide variety of activities, including canoeing, sailing, swimming, water skiing, climbing, land sports, horseback riding, arts & crafts, dance, yoga, and drama.  

One of the hallmarks of a Birch Trail experience is our extensive wilderness trip program.  All Birch Trail campers go on trips ranging from overnight to eight day camping trips in the upper-Midwest and Canada, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Isle Royale National Park.  

If you are a fun, patient, caring, and responsible person who wants to spend time in the outdoors with kids, then working at Birch Trail is for you!  If you have the basic experience, we’ll provide you with all the additional training that you will need.  After a summer at camp, you’ll have memories, friendships, skills, and experiences to last a lifetime!

Job Responsibilities: Under the guidance of the Trip Director, Wilderness Trip Leaders guide basic camping, backpacking, flat-water and white-water canoeing, sea kayaking, horseback riding, and rock climbing trips depending on their own experiences and backgrounds.  Additional responsibilities include:

• Serving as guides and educators to both campers and counselors participating in the program;

• Arranging the logistics, routes, and equipment selection for each trip;

• Overseeing all risk assessment and safety components prior to and during the trip;

• Educating participants in Leave No Trace philosophies and outdoor skills;

• Providing basic maintenance of camping equipment; and

• Assisting in other areas of the camp program when needed.

All staff members of Birch Trail Camp must be able to:

1. Be capable of appropriate and sustained mental, emotional and social interactions in our constantly changing, youth-centered and community living camp setting
2. Think clearly at all times.
3. Work cooperatively with staff and campers.
4. Exercise good judgment.
5. Operate tools, equipment, vehicles, boats and appliances as applicable to job duties.
6. Assist staff and campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, injury or natural disaster).
7. Maintain supervision of assigned area(s) while on duty.
8. Possess the mental, visual and auditory ability to respond to environmental hazards and internal and external threats to the camp community.

Preferred Experience: Applicants should have experience and interest in camping and working with children for extended periods of time.  As the group leader or co-leader on trips, Wilderness Trip Leaders should be level-headed, responsible, and safety-minded.  All applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a current driver’s license, and have a good driving record.  CPR and LGT (or equivalent) are required.  WFR is a plus.  If you do not already have WFR certification, we will help you get certified and subsidize part of the cost. 

We provide extensive training at camp in both camping and counseling skills so that the entire Trip Staff is ready to work with campers.  We also facilitate the process for Wilderness Trip Leaders to earn certifications, including American Red Cross Life Guard Certification (LGT) and Wilderness First Responder (WFR).

Compensation: Wilderness Trip Leaders must be available from June 1st- August 12th, 2023.  (Start date depends on need for WFR certification. The WFR course will begin around May 24th, 2023.)  Salaries are very competitive with other camps and based on the individual applicant’s experience.  Compensation packages include room & board plus a tax-free travel stipend.  Additional salary bonuses are available for certain certifications and for additional weeks worked either before or after the camping season.

How to Apply: Both men and women who are at least 21 are encouraged to apply. For more information about Birch Trail and to find an online application, please visit www.birchtrail.com.  Applications, letters of interest, and/or resumes can be faxed or emailed to the winter office.  If you have additional questions, please email [email protected] or call the winter office.

www.birchtrail.com * [email protected]

winter : 10523 N. Pine Tree Circle, Mequon, Wisconsin 53092* 262-238-1263 phone * 262-238-1269 faxsummer: P.O. Box 527, Minong, Wisconsin 54859 * 715-466-2216 phone * 715-466-2217 fax