Trek / Retreat Leader
Lech Lecha’s Trek Leaders and Retreat Leaders are guides, teachers, and friends. Our experienced team of leaders train together and support one another to facilitate safe, professional treks, share and encourage deep and connecting content, and build authentic relationships with participants, forming a beautiful community. We are developing a roster of Trek Leaders for this summer and beyond. If interested but currently unavailable, please apply to join our Trek Leaders Roster.
Job Type
Seasonal, as needed
Varies
Compensation depends on trek length, age of participants (teens, 20’s -30’s adults, or 40’s and up), as well as the trek leader’s certifications. Compensation ranges from $375 - $1200 per trek.
About the Role
Prior: Every trek leader will participate in an in-depth training program focusing on wilderness safety protocols, program logistics, and investing personally designed content into your trek. Leaders must arrive at the trailhead two hours before participant arrival to prepare communal gear and food before the trek’s departure.
During: You are responsible for all elements of your trek’s implementation. Throughout your trek you will have our team as backup support if you need to be in touch and have questions, assuming you can find cell phone service. Every trek that is likely to be without cell phone service will have a SAT device with them in case of emergency. Emergency protocols will be detailed during staff training. Responsibilities include:
Safety: ensuring the safety of every leader and participant is our highest priority. Lech-Lecha לך-לך trek leaders must be prepared for potential injury in the field. Additionally, leaders are responsible for reporting all injuries that occur.
Guiding: staying on course, guiding participants from campsite to campsite, keeping a steady pace, and ensuring arrival at camp with plenty of sunlight.
Participant Care: caring for each participant, seeking to connect personally with participants, building a sense of community.
Food: ensure participants are fed and that all allergy and other food restrictions are cared for. All participants will partake in cooking and cleaning. Trek leaders are responsible for facilitating the preparation and cleanup of meals and ensuring all are well-fed. Gathering and treating water happens daily, as well.
Logistics: support participants in setting up camp, building tents, keeping Leave No Trace principles, raising bear bags, setting up a halachic Shabbat experience, and staying warm and dry.
Content: Lech-Lecha לך-לך treks encourage mutual empowerment, supporting every participant to share and facilitate based on their passions and skills. In addition to encouraging others to share, trek leaders facilitate text study, rich discussion, debriefs, prayer and song, meditations and movement, inviting participants to connect to Hashem’s creation and Jewish tradition.
Communication and Footage: Leaders remain in communication with Lech-Lecha לך-לך support staff in case of emergency and to confirm participant safety and well-being. Additionally, leaders are asked to take photos and videos during each trek.
Facilitation of feedback surveys, and promoting involvement in our Journey Hubs program on the final day of the Trek or Retreat.
After: Facilitate return of clean gear to next trip, shipping location, or storage site.
Requirements
Experience in leading backcountry trips.
Background in education and leading groups.
Skills
Passionate about the wilderness and creation.
Passionate about and involved in Jewish practice and wisdom.
Personable and caring for others.
Open and accepting of diversity.
Responsible and able to take the lead.
Team player, working with fellow trek leaders.
21 years or older.
Wilderness First Aid or Responder certification is preferred.