Summer Adventure Guide for Court-Ordered Youth

(Follow-on Full-Time Adventure Manager Positions are Available!)

Do you want to be part of the most exciting and fulfilling job you’ve ever imagined?

• Join the Team
• Create a Legacy
• Change Lives… yours, too!

KVC’s Meramec Adventure Ranch

Who we are:

The Meramec Adventure Ranch is the therapeutic wilderness and adventure arm of KVC.  Using the transformative power of the wilderness and adventure, the Ranch is dedicated to serving individuals and families whom much of the world has given up on, including youth struggling with traumatic pasts, youth in residential treatment, youth on the Autism Spectrum, and Wounded Warriors.  Located on 1,200 acres in Steelville, Missouri, the Ranch has grown to be one of the most extensive adventure bases in the Midwest and has served over 100,000 youth and families since its beginning in 2006.

What you get to do:

The ranch is a unique program; the only one of its kind in Missouri and one of the few therapeutic adventure programs left in the country that serve youth in the state system. The Ranch is looking for Summer Guides to facilitate the 10-week therapeutic summer adventure program with youth in residential treatment. Youth are between the ages of 7-18, have experienced histories of severe trauma and abuse, and are working through significant emotional and behavioral challenges.

Adventure experiences are not an escape from the daily grind. They are reality where, in an “off-balance” environment, the true self always eventually surfaces and must be faced, concrete victories are earned, natural consequences are plentiful, roles and gifts are discovered, and positive relationships are built. Evidence bears out that these experiences become defining moments for young men and young women growing to become the people they were created to be.

Positions Available:

Summer Adventure Guides lead small groups of youth in residential treatment and other youth in state custody through an exhilarating 10-week summer adventure camp program. Living in tents in the woods, cooking over a fire, and facilitating the daily camp routine, you’ll use activities like ropes courses, team challenges, climbing, kayaking, aquatic adventures, land navigation, and many other adventures in intentional ways to grow young people’s confidence, relationships, and purpose, as well help them heal from the past and grow hope for the future. You’ll also work with Wounded  Veterans’ and Families and Siblings separated in Foster Care.

Equestrian Instructors teach and lead groups in horse care, grooming, saddling, and riding techniques, take them on trail rides each day, including cattle drives and ranch work, as well as facilitate group processing and individual growth throughout each activity. You’ll have the opportunity to use horses in intentional ways to grow our young people’s confidence, relationships, and purpose, as well helping them heal from the past and grow hope for the future. You’ll also work with Wounded Veterans’ and Siblings separated in Foster Care.

Camp Nurse/Health Officers are responsible for camper screening, health care, supervision of medication administration, and primary emergency response, as well as assisting with the logistical operations of camp. Applicants must be an RN, LPN, or  EMT, Paramedic, or Senior Nursing Student, at least 20 years of age, enjoy working outdoors, able to remain calm in intense situations, possess uncompromising character, and have a heart for serving kids who are facing tough challenges. You may live on site, camping throughout the summer with the rest of the Adventure Camp staff, though it is not required. During camp, all food and lodging is provided. You’ll also work with Wounded Veterans’ and Families and Siblings separated in Foster Care.

You can be a part of this critical program and play a vital role in the life stories of the incredible individuals we are honored to stand alongside each day!

When is Camp?

May 18th–June 2nd: Camp Preparation/Training/Adventure Race
June 5th–June 30th: Camp Sessions 1-4 (Court-Ordered Youth and Siblings)
July 1st–6th: Break
July 7th–Aug 2nd: Camp Sessions 5-8 (Wounded Warrior Families, Siblings separated in Foster Care, Kids with ASD)

Do I get paid for these positions?

Yes! Salaries are extremely competitive for camp positions and based on position and experience.  Call for details. Meals and housing are provided at the camp, and housing is provided for time off if you desire to remain in the area. Practicums and internships are welcome and encouraged!

Challenges:

• Kids who are extremely challenging to build relationships and trust with, and many times will act out in extreme ways to find out if you really are who you say you are.
• Long times in the woods with heat, bugs, snakes, ridiculously long hours, and few showers.
• Opportunities to leave a lasting impact on the program.  Our team has created what the Ranch is today and our team will create what it becomes tomorrow.
• Quality performance is not based on the greatness of your techniques or strength of your skills, but on the quality and character of person you are.

Benefits:

• All those “challenges” mentioned above!
• Never have two days that are the same.
• Shared Housing is provided for all staff.
• All food is provided when running programs.
• PRODEALS, PRODEALS, PRODEALS!
• Free stickers for your Nalgene Bottle…Everyone needs a few more!
• You can bring your hammock to work…though we won’t guarantee that you’ll spend much time in it.
• Looking up a night sky from your sleeping bag and saying to yourself, “This is where I belong!”
• Stand beside people who have seen incredible adversity, hurt, and pain, and be a part of their stories as they grow to change the world!

Experience Needed:

A Calling/Passion to be HERE!
GRIT
Disciplined Work Ethic
Honesty
Willingness to have fun and act silly
Creativity and Ideas
Self-Awareness
Wisdom and Discernment
Willingness to learn
Humility
Unconditional Care, Unwavering Belief, and Consistent Accountability for yourself, the Ranch Family, and those we serve
Experience in Adventure activities and Residential Care or in a related field.
For more information:

www.facebook.com/meramecranch/

https://missouri.kvc.org/meramec-adventure-ranch/

[email protected]

573-775-5513

If you are passionate about being part of what is happening at the Meramec Adventure Ranch, send your resume to [email protected]

We would be honored to team up with you and stand alongside some pretty amazing youth!