We are so happy that you are interested in learning more about the adventure opportunities at Camp Illahee! With a desire to expose children to the beauty that Pisgah National Forest and Western North Carolina offer, Illahee has programming in kayaking, climbing, and hiking. All ages have the opportunity to take trips through a sign up process, and some campers choose trips as one of their ten activities. The campers’ safety and skill progression is the focus of each of these activities along with developing a healthy respect for the outdoors and the environment.
Kayaking
Campers learn and progress in kayaking skills on our lake starting with the wet exit and building to a roll, with paddling practice, rescue techniques. Once skills have progressed, campers have the opportunity to experience local whitewater rivers and various degrees of difficulty. Typical river trips head to the Tuckasegee, Lower Green River, French Broad, the Nantahala, and sometimes the Chattooga or Pigeon!
Hiking
Hiking along various trails in Pisgah and Dupont national forests is a perfect way to spend a summer day at camp. Hiking opportunities range from 1/2 day waterfall and swim hole hikes, to full day adventures off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Climbing
Campers will learn the ropes in knot-tying skills, belaying and climbing, and will participate in fun challenges on Illahee’s climbing wall and Beanstalk tower. Climbing trips out of camp will be offered for campers to sign up during the summer and will be based on skills and readiness! Typical trips head to Looking Glass Rock, Cedar Rock, or Rumbling Bald.
Mtn. Biking
New activity for summer 2024! Description coming soon!
Essential Functions of Teaching Adventure Sports
- Ability to effectively communicate, teach and work with campers of different ages and skill levels.
- Ability to observe and assess the behavior of campers and staff in order to monitor safety and enforce appropriate rules and regulations. Be able to intervene when it is for the purpose of maintaining a safe activity.
- Ability to identify and respond to any environmental hazard or emergency through the effective use of sight, sound, and smell.
- Having the experience to teach and train other staff to effectively assist in the specific activity.
- Physical ability to respond to situations requiring first aid. This includes being of sound health and having good mobility.
- Possess the physical strength and endurance to maintain constant supervision of activity.
Preferred Qualifications
We can help applicants pursue courses and certifications to meet these qualifications.
- Wilderness First Responder
- Climbers should have experience trad climbing and the skillset of an AMGA Single Pitch Instructor (SPI)
- Kayakers should have an ACA Swift Water Rescue Level 4 certification
- Ideally be 21 years of age or older and have a clean driving record
Staff Benefits
- competitive pay based on experience
- room and board provided (housing limited for adult specialty staff)
- laundry facility on camp (done weekly for staff)
- applicable certification opportunities explored
- discount cards for town businesses
Resume Building Skills Gained
- increased knowledge in the field
- daily practice of critical and creative thinking, collaboration, communication and problem solving
- regular opportunities for responsibility, facilitation, mediation, taking initiative and following through
- community engagement modeling and teaching pro-social behaviors such as cooperation, resilience, tolerance and inclusion