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Frequently Asked Questions for New Employees
If you would like a more personal touch or have a lengthy question, feel free to call us at any time to discuss employment at 800-877-0954
Request for Proposal - 800.877.0954 - www.AdventureLinks.net
........................................................... How do I apply? First please review our website to determine if Adventure Links suits you. Fill out our online application, where you will submit a copy of your current resume. We will review your information and let you know if we would consider an interview. Interview can be face to face at Adventure Links at Hemlock Overlook or by phone if it is not possible to visit the site. If you interested in a tour of the staff housing and facility after your interview, please let us know before so we can set aside time. The first round of hiring dates for both 3-Season Instructors and Summer Camp Instructors will end February 12th, followed by a second round ending March 5th. More interviews for summer positions will continue to occur up to the third week in April. back to top? Schedule & Employment Periods When you are hired, your contract will explicitly describe your beginning and ending work dates. A normal work week will consist of 5 days unless on an overnight or expedition. We offer employment from March through November. Please indicate in your application or interview process if you’d like to work more than the general summer schedule. Also keep in mind your class schedules or required days off. back to top?
........................................................... Where is Adventure Links? We are located in Clifton, Virginia at Hemlock Overlook Regional Park. Clifton is in Northern Virginia, approximately 45 min from Washington, DC. The park is over 200 acres and connects to three other Regional Parks making a total of around 4000 acres. The small town of Clifton is five minutes down the road from camp and has a few restaurants and post office. The Northern Virginia area offers a range of different grocery stores, international restaurants and any things else you may need 20min from camp. Baltimore-Washington (BWI), Dulles (IAD) and Reagan National (DCA) are the closest airports. back to top?
........................................................... What is the difference between a Program Facilitator and a Summer Camp Facilitator? A Program Facilitator is expected to work a full three seasons starting in March and running till the end of November. Summer Camp Facilitators work for just the summer season starting in June and running until the end of August into early September. Some Summer Camp Facilitators may be invited extend their contract and stay on after summer to be a Program Facilitator depending on their availability and job performance.back to top? What programs are offered in the spring and fall seasons? The client base for spring and fall is made up of School Groups, Community Groups and Adult Groups. Programs are typically 1- 3 days long; however there are a few itineraries that are up to a week long. Instructors may be scheduled to work any day of the week, but typically there are no programs on Sundays. A typical work week will include three to five days of programming. During select weeks in the season instructors may be scheduled to work more than five days in a week or less than three days. When this is the case, the administrative team will try to provide staff with hourly work or time off. back to top?
........................................................... What types of programs does Adventure Links lead during the summer? All of the following programs run simultaneously most weeks of the summer.
What is the summer schedule? Our summer camp programs begin on the 21st of June and ends on September 3rd. Employees who have prior work, or school, commitments at the end of the summer will be given some flexibility with departure dates. Please call if you have questions about employment dates.back to top? Will I be working all of these styles of programs? New Lead Instructors will spend most of their summer facilitating Day Camps and Overnight Camps. New Assistant Instructors will spend most of their summer working Day Camps and one or two Overnight Camps. New lead instructors with a significant amount of outdoor leadership experience may also be considered to lead an expedition. All instructors may be asked to assist with the “Contract Programs” that we lead for schools, community and adult groups.back to top? What happens on a Day Camp? Our Day Camps include kayaking and canoeing, caving, rock climbing, primitive skills, and challenge course. Each day of the week is designated to each adventure activity. Our instructors facilitate all of these activities.back to top? What is an Overnight Camp? Our Overnight Camps utilize similar adventure activities as our Day Camps, but they may also include: mountain biking, whitewater rafting, whitewater kayaking, or an overnight canoeing section. They are self-supported adventure road trip that travel to areas in Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Students and Instructors travel in a bus driven by an Adventure Links Staff member that is equipped with all of the necessary outdoor gear. Our instructors facilitate all of the activities excluding whitewater rafting, where they take a secondary role to the river guides.back to top? What is an Expedition? Our Expeditions have similar activities as Day Camps and Overnights, but they include a 3 night backpacking component. Also depending on the expedition it may include whitewater kayaking, whitewater rafting or sea kayaking. They are also a self-supported adventure road trip. Students and Instructors travel in a 15-passenger van.back to top? What are “Mountain Staff” and “Adventure Coordinators”? These are two staff roles for our Day Camp program. Both roles work together to lead a week of Day Camp programming. back to top? Mountain Staff have an 8:00am-5:00pm workday. They live at our base camp and depart each morning for their camp’s designated adventure site. They prepare all of the gear for the day’s activity (i.e. set up top rope climbs, load and unload canoes and kayaks etc). back to top? Adventure Coordinators take on the added responsibilities of managing the pick up and drop off portions of the day and drive the bus to the adventure site or ride the bus with the participants. An Adventure Coordinator’s day tends to run longer than an 8:00-5:00.back to top? What will my work hours be? If on Day Camp you can plan on typically working 8am to 5pm (including camp preparation and camp clean-up). Also on Day Camp there is one overnight camp per week that is optional to the campers, and you will be required to work. For Overnight Camp you will be required to work the 7 days, 24/7 as well as the necessary time for preparation and clean-up. On Expedition Camps you will be working the 14 days, 24/7 as well as the necessary time for preparation and clean-up.back to top? What should I wear to work? Each staff will be given 2 staff t-shirts at the beginning of the summer and this will be required uniform for all our camps. Also, please refer to the pack list and remember that we are a professional organization and we meet with parents and other program contracts back to top?
........................................................... What is staff training and what will be covered? Staff training is designed to help staff members develop the skills necessary to lead quality Adventure Links programs. Staff members are trained to facilitate Adventure Links curriculum and lead all of the adventure activities that we use. We will also cover: risk management, behavior management, and age appropriate programming. Staff training is a fun and memorable experience that helps each member of the team get to know one another better, and it’s the first step in developing a united bond between our staff. back to top? When does staff training start? Spring Season Staff training starts on March 21st and will run through April 2nd. Summer Camp Staff Training starts June 4th and runs through the 19th. We ask that staff members who live on site arrive early enough so that they have time to move in prior to our kickoff dinner that evening. Staff members who arrive before the first day of training, we just ask that you let us know an approximate date and time. back to top? What hours will I work for staff training? Expect to work long hours for staff training, as there is a lot of material to be covered. back to top?
........................................................... What will be my living situation? We offer a couple of different housing options, depending on the length of your contract. For the three season staff, we have dorm style rooms in cabins around the center. Some rooms are shared with another staff depending on the size of the room. Summer staff will be staying in large canvas platform tents that you share with a roommate. We provide cots and mattresses and staff bring their own sleeping, bag or bedding. We suggest that you bring Tupperware bins for your clothing because of the outdoor environment. Candle lanterns or propane lanterns are also useful. There is a large bathhouse that all staff will share, and lockers are provided to store your toiletries. back to top? Our “Staff Lounge” in Maple is a common living area, with a TV, couches and Internet access. There is also a common area that is used for dining and staff meetings. The Staff Kitchen is equipped with all the necessary cookware and table ware and each staff member has their own refrigerator space and dry food storage bin. back to top? Living in this outdoor setting with a community of peers is a unique life experience and it is often a highlight of the summer for our staff members.back to top? Does Adventure Links provide food and other living supplies? Adventure Links provides food during overnight programs, expeditions and during designated special events. Other than that, you are responsible for your food. There are variety grocery stores in Centreville, Fairfax, Burke and Manassas and there are plenty of farmers markets in the area as well. Adventure links also provides toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and dish soap with the facility, but you must provide your own hygiene and cosmetic supplies such as soap, shampoo, and other toiletries. back to top? Will there be internet access? There is wireless internet access and a staff computer in the staff office.back to top?
........................................................... We are not a residential camp so you will have your own private space and will not be attending to kids overnight unless on an Overnight Camp or Expedition. back to top? Can I bring my pet? In the past we have allowed staff to bring pets. This has led to many issues and therefore we will no longer allow staff pets. back to top? Am I allowed to have visitors? Visitors are allowed during non-camp hours. Please check with directors for prior approval of visitors. This is a requirement. back to top? Logistics Will I need my own vehicle? Personal vehicles are recommended but not necessary. We are in somewhat of a remote area so a personal vehicle is something of convenience. For programming there are two options: mileage reimbursement for your personal vehicle and the use of company vehicles. For some of the programs you’ll also be riding or driving a company bus or van. back to top? What do I bring? After being hired a packet of information will be sent to you containing a packing list for the summer, a contract, and other paperwork. This packlist will detail out any necessities or otherwise. back to top? Will I need to bring my own gear? You will not need your own gear for Adventure Links programs. We would recommend you bring your gear for personal and staff trips as our equipment may be used for personal use but are meant for programming. Personal use of A.L. equipment is free of charge. back to top? What will my contact info be while working at Adventure Links? Address: ATTN: Your Name Staff
........................................................... When do I get paid? The pay period is set up on a bi-weekly basis. For this reason, please be prepared to receive your first pay check three weeks after arriving and your final check after the completion of the summer. back to top? Is there auto-deposit for my checks? Yes. back to top? Will I get Pro-Deals? Yes, Adventure Links has pro-deal accounts with Chaco, Arcteryx, Black Diamond, Prana, Lowe Alpine, Nike ACG, NRS, Nikwax, Old Town, Mountain Smith, and others. back to top?
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