The Staff Training Retreat in September (one week) is a chance for the upcoming year's staff to meet and train with each other. We'll discuss and update company policies, do situational training, and certify (or recertify) in Wilderness First Aid. The retreat is also an incubation period for new trips, where you can suggest and discuss your own trip ideas for future consideration. We'll camp, cook our own food, and have a jolly old time. The first retreat will happen in September 2011, somewhere in the Western USA.
Employment with Unschool Adventures
Are you interested in working with Unschool Adventures? Beginning 2011, we'll be hiring for international trip leaders and leadership program staff. As a very small company, we currently have only a limited demand for employees, but this may change in the future. We'd love to hear from you if you're interested.
Unschool Adventures operates on an "open source" model of trip planning: we rely upon our staff to suggest and design trips, instead of repeating trips with fixed itineraries. Each trip caters to the expertise of the staff while simultaneously meeting the desires of the students and their families.
Here are descriptions of our positions and the general qualifications that we seek:
International Trip Leader ("Lead")
The lead is the primary person in charge of a UA trip. They participate in pre-trip planning and budgeting, and they are invited to suggest new trips of their own design. Compensation includes all non-personal trip expenses, international flights, medical insurance for the duration of the program, and compensation starting at $1200 per month of program (plus trip planning compensation).
Desired qualifications:
- Minimum age: 22
- Previous group leading experience, preferably in a foreign language country
- Previous travel experience in destination country
- Foreign language competency
- Wilderness First Responder, EMT, or equivalent safety certification (plus CPR)
- Previous experience working with self-directed teens
- Personal extended international travel experience
- Ability to attend the Unschool Adventures staff training retreat in September
International Trip Co-leader ("Co")
The co is the second leader of a UA trip. They work with the lead in some certain pre-trip planning and budgeting. Compensation includes all non-personal trip expenses, international flights, medical insurance for the duration of the program, and compensation starting at $800 per month of program.
Desired qualifications:
- Minimum age: 20
- Previous group leading experience
- Personal extended international travel experience (preferably in destination country)
- Foreign language competency
- Wilderness First Aid or equivalent safety certification (plus CPR)
- Previous experience working with self-directed teens
- Ability to attend the Unschool Adventures staff training retreat in September
International Trip Assistant
Assistants are needed on some (but not all) Unschool Adventure trips. This is a great way to gain experience for a future Co or Lead position. Assistants help with various day-to-day tasks during the trip. Compensation includes all non-personal trip expenses. Assistants must fund their own international flights and medical insurance.
Desired qualifications:
- Minimum age: 19
- Desire to gain group leadership experience
- Previous international travel experience
- Basic proficiency in foreign language before trip departure
- Wilderness First Aid or equivalent safety certification (plus CPR)
- Previous experience working with self-directed teens
- Optional attendance at the Unschool Adventures staff training retreat in September
Leadership Program Mentor
Mentors ensure the continuing growth and success of students in a leadership program. Compensation varies by program (but always includes housing, food, and travel stipend).
- Minimum age: 20
- Previous experience working with self-directed teens
- Personal history of self-challenge, self-directed learning, and entrepreneurism
- Other qualifications dependent on focus of specific leadership program
Leadership Program Chef
The Chef plans, budgets, and purchases all foods in a leadership program, as well as directs assistants and students in preparing dinner meals. Compensation varies by program (but always includes housing, food, and travel stipend).
- Minimum age: 19
- Previous large group cooking experience
- Food Handler's, ServSafe, or other safety certification (available online)
- Personal history of self-challenge, self-directed learning, and entrepreneurism
Leadership Program Assistant
Assistants help with various day-to-day program duties such as coordinating activities, peer mentoring, food prep, or dishes. Compensation typically consists of waiving many or all program fees.
- Minimum age: 18
- Personal history of self-challenge, self-directed learning, and entrepreneurism
- Desire to grow in a leadership capacity
- Previous participation in an Unschool Adventures program is highly valuable
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't have experience working with self-directed teens?
There are many ways to gain experience with unschooling teens prior to leading a trip. The best way would be to work at NBTSC, volunteer at a homeschool/unschool resource center (like North Star or Sudbury model school), or lead a workshop at an unschooling conference (held all over the USA).
Are there office positions with Unschool Adventures?
Currently we aren't hiring for office positions. We are always open to the possibility of unpaid interns who work from their home. If this possibility interests you, write us and tell us what kind of skills you have to offer!
I'm not a US citizen. Can I work for you?
We are currently only able to hire US citizens. Sorry! Consider joining us as a volunteer assistant.
How to Get Involved
Start by filling out the following Staff Inquiry form. We'll be in touch soon afterwards!
If you have any other questions or just want to get in touch, please e-mail us at:
