Finding Growth in Adventure

Working for Campus Recreation’s Outdoor Adventures (OA) and Youth Programs (YoPro) units aren’t your average student jobs. These roles are immersive, providing hands-on experiences that empower students to build confidence, develop leadership skills, and grow in ways that stick with them long after their last day on the job.

Outdoor Adventures student applicants often come in with a love for the outdoors and little experience, but that is exactly where the magic begins. The professional staff is committed to developing autonomy in student leaders and seeks applicants who are eager to learn and coachable. Through intensive training programs, like the immersive guide school, student staff learn how to assess risk, lead trips, teach skills, and make sound decisions when they’re physically and mentally pushed to their limits. 

OA skills and training reach far beyond the borders of a campground and extend into the staff’s everyday life and future career plans. They emphasize transferable skills such as understanding and utilizing feedback cycles, crisis management, and various teaching techniques. There are plenty of opportunities for growth in roles, both in the field and on campus, for folk to engage with. Staff encourages potential applicants to consider participating in OA programming to get a glimpse of what the full experience is like.

Over at Youth Programs, student staff take on the important and fulfilling work of leading summer camps for kids. Many students enter with a strong interest in education, childcare, or just a passion for creating positive experiences for youth. While the work can be high-energy and emotionally demanding, it's also full of joy. Student staff are encouraged to model the behavior they want to see in campers, resolving conflict, communicating emotions, and creating a supportive, silly, and safe environment.

YoPro student staff often get their first taste of what it means to be a role model. From camper conflict resolution to professional communication with guardians, counselors learn to lead by example and bring the energy that makes summer magic for the campers.

Leadership roles within YoPro give students even more autonomy, like building camp schedules, leading outreach initiatives, and coaching their peers. It’s structured growth with room for creativity, all rooted in a team culture that feels more like family, where everyone leans on each other and lifts one another up. 

Both units share a strong culture of open communication, support, and growth. Students are encouraged to take initiative, reflect on their experiences, and seek out challenges that stretch their abilities. Whether it’s planning a multi-day backpacking trip or helping a child overcome the fear of being in a new setting with new people, students in these roles learn how to lead with empathy, communicate clearly, and problem-solve under pressure. We hope to see you join us on a OA trip this summer or apply for a role with YoPro next Fall!