Expedition Trip Leader

Posted by Lake Champlain Maritime Museum on 01/23/2025

Job Basics

Industry Sector: Outdoor, WaterSports

Job Categories: Camp Staff & Counselors, Outdoor Education

Company Type: Recreation, Service, Retail

State: VT

City: Vergennes

Country: United States

Required Experience: 0 - 1 year

Job Type: Seasonal Full Time

Salary: 140-170/day

Required to Relocate:

Required to Travel:

Employee May Telecommute: No

Job Seeker Must Live Within:

Job Description & Requirements

Lake Champlain Maritime Museum is in search of qualified on-water trip leaders for Teen Expeditionary Programs.  The summer is broken into three programs: one day camp and two expeditions. First, Kayak Building Camp, is a three-week day program where teens build their own 17′ sea kayaks. Trip leaders are responsible for student management during this program and will work with experienced boatbuilders. We then go right into Champlain Discovery, a two-week kayak expedition on Lake Champlain in which participants can use the kayaks they built in Kayak Building Camp. The summer continues with Expedition Champlain, a one-week rowing expedition in 6-oar rowing gigs. Training in the rowing boats will be provided prior to embarking on the rowing expedition. Learn more about these trips on the Museum’s Teen Expeditions Page.

We are looking for two trip leaders to take teens on expeditions in summer 2025 on Lake Champlain!

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current WFA or WFR certificate (WFR preferred)
• Experience with kayaking or other on-water trip leading and managing group dynamics
• Enthusiasm, flexibility, positive energy, and a desire to work with teenagers
• An understanding of how to create a physically and emotionally safe group environment
• It is not necessary to be a boat-builder or woodworker, just a willingness to learn and engage participants

Program Dates:

• Kayak Building Camp – June 16–July 3, 2025
• Champlain Discovery: Kayak Expedition – July 7–July 20, 2025
• Expedition Champlain: Rowing Expedition – July 27–August 3, 2025
• There will be several days of training prior to the expedition season 
• Trip leaders will have evenings and weekends off during the Kayak Building Camp, as well as several days off in between expeditions. The dates listed above are program dates only and do not include preparation and post days.

Compensation/Room and Board:

Expedition days are paid per diem (daily) between $140 and $170. This also includes all meals and camping fees while on the expedition. During preparation days, trip leaders will be paid hourly between $18 and $20 per hour. Pay rates will be decided based on experience. The Museum offers camping and running water to trip leaders on off days between expeditions. Camping is also available to staff during the Kayak Building Camp.

To apply: please email cover letter, resume, and three references to laurac@lcmm.org 

 

About Lake Champlain Maritime Museum

Lake Champlain Maritime Museum opened its first building, a historic stone schoolhouse, in 1985 with the mission to preserve and share the cultural and natural heritage of the Lake Champlain region. Today, the Museum serves a broad community throughout the Champlain Valley and beyond, working to connect all people with Lake Champlain through learning experiences, exhibits and collections at its 3-acre waterfront campus, digital engagement, boat building, underwater archaeology research projects, and more.