As a pioneering counsellor you, with other staff members, are likely to take groups of campers on camping or hiking trips into the local woods and countryside and occasionally further afield for longer trips. On the more extended trips, you’ll be living in tents, cooking over a camp fire and teaching children about nature and survival in the outdoors. Sometimes the tripping programme might also include canoeing or kayaking and/or mountain biking.

All campers will usually go on at least one overnight campout while they are at camp, even if this is just in the woods on camp property. Both on and off the trail, you will be expected to instruct in any of the following areas: camp safety; basic first aid; trip planning; fire-building; cooking; recognition of trees, and local flora and fauna and survival in the woods. With a nod of respect to the original Americans, some camp pioneering programmes also include references to Native American Indian lore.

What are the facilities and accommodation like?

Camps are generally well-equipped for pioneering activities but the standard of this equipment varies from camp to camp. Modern tents, extensive camping equipment and 4-wheel drive vehicles are standard for camps which take their pioneering programmes seriously. On smaller, less affluent camps, however, the programme may simply consist of nature walks around camp and campouts on camp in basic tents or even tepees

When not leading trips, counsellors are based at camp and are involved in general camp activities and responsibilities. Depending on the nature and extent of the camp’s pioneering programme, tripping staff might not live with the kids in a bunk as they are often away from camp on trips. In this case, staff will probably live in a cabin with fellow counsellors when between trips away from camp.

On other camps where extensive time away from camp is not the norm, pioneering staff will also be bunk counsellors and share all the usual bunk responsibilities with other staff members.

What are camps looking for?

While leading trips, counsellors are responsible for looking after the camper’s wellbeing and safety as well as having to create a fun and exciting itinerary. Camps are looking for people who have leadership experience with children and good personal experience and knowledge of camp-craft, hiking, outdoor cooking and other wilderness skills.

Pioneering at camp is about having fun, being aware of your surroundings and learning how to live without any mod-cons! You need to be motivated, hard-working, patient, flexible and safety conscious, and you should not be afraid to get stuck in, creating games and getting muddy!

What experience or qualifications are required?

In addition to the attributes explained previously, camps are looking for staff who have had relevant experience through such bodies as the scouts or (girl) guides, the ATC or similar, the Duke of Edinburgh awards and other relevant youth organisations. It’s a plus if you have assumed leadership roles within any of these groups. A clean driver's license is also helpful.

First and foremost all camp counsellors need experience of working with children in a leadership position. Pioneering counsellors must also have a passion for adventure activities and a desire to share their enthusiasm and knowledge with kids.

Awards that strengthen an application include the Duke of Edinburgh Awards (especially); British Mountaineering Awards (BMC) – Summer Mountain Leader; Walking Group Leader; Single Pitch Award or Mountain Instructor Award.

What next?