Job Description

Eagle’s Nest Camp and Hante Adventures

Part of the Eagle’s Nest Foundation based in Pisgah Forest, NC

Hante Lead Instructor and Hante Assistant Instructor

Job Description, November 2025

Specific to Hante Scotland , June 20 2026 to July 9 2026

Direct Supervisors

Assistant Camp Director, Hante Lead Instructor

Overview

Hantes are outdoor, experiential, and cultural trips for young people. During the course of a Hante, participants practice sustainable camping and outdoor living skills, gain a heightened appreciation and understanding of the natural world, and learn how to live within a small community in a novel setting. Every Hante includes an enrichment component beyond the outdoor technical skill, to illuminate the multi-faceted learning environment the natural world offers.

Participants arrive to Hante courses at varying stages of life and development, with a wide array of interest and abilities. What they will all have in common is a desire for a new experience with a new group of people, and an openness to uncertainty. Hante Instructors will be expected to manage and mentor the possibility of a wide range in age and skill.

Most importantly, Instructors will be responsible for participant safety and well-being. This will be guided by learning and following Eagle's Nest Foundation (ENF) policies and procedures. Access to these policies and procedures will be given in the spring, and will be reviewed before departing for the trip.

Duties and Responsibilities, at Camp and in the Field

• Live and work with a group of 6-10 participants and other experienced instructors during a three-week Camp session. The trip, which takes place during the three-week Camp session, will begin and end at Eagle’s Nest Camp.
• Lead or assist in the delivery of enrichment curriculum related to subjects such as art, craft, culture, anthropological study, community service, and modeling of curious inquiry. This curriculum runs parallel to the outdoor skills and leadership curriculum, making Hante Adventures unique in a field of outdoor adventure options for young people.
• Assist and coach participants with daily functions throughout the trip, which can include preparing meals, cleaning and organizing gear, understanding proper hygiene, navigating group dynamics, continuing development of applicable skills, and deeper learning of the course’s enrichment component.
• Assist and coach participants with managing the uncertainty inevitable to a trip with a new group of people in a new setting, such as homesickness, newfound personal needs within a unique routine, and mental, physical, and environmental discomfort.
• Plan and implement goal-aligned lesson plans and activities throughout the trip, and mentor participants who desire to teach their own passions or new learnings. 
• Understand and manage all gear associated with the trip, including its care, organized storage, inventory and upkeep.
• Manage budget, secure cash and card, understand appropriate use, and document and account for all transactions.
• Maintain appropriate first aid equipment and readiness at all times (within the scope of the instructors certification and training), along with appropriate storage, delivery, and documentation of medications as prescribed or needed
• Serve as an “on duty” leader prepared to troubleshoot situations that come up in the field
• Communicate daily updates and needs with the Assistant Camp Director, and encourage group communication with the rest of Camp in the form of letters “home.”
• Maintain a daily instructor journal to document your time on the course.

Pre-Trip Responsibilities

• In the spring, attend meetings and collaborate with co-instructors on trip logistics, trip goals, leadership team communication and roles, plans for on-campus pre-trip preparation, curriculum development of outdoor and enrichment subjects, and a review of participant questionnaires.
• In the spring, prepare for and attend meetings with participants and their families to assist in their readiness for the trip.
• Intimately understand the details of the trip, including participant arrivals, necessary permits and guidelines, reservation details, travel arrangements, important dates and preparation before those dates, gear usage and rental, outdoor and enrichment curriculum, and emergency management.
• Arrive to campus four days prior to the trip start date to fulfill necessary on-campus pre-trip preparations, which includes the following:
  • Review the trip itinerary, maps and routes, considerations for unexpected events, and the instructor journal.
• Review daily emergency resources and evacuation plans.
  • Develop co-instructor expectations and goals for the trip.
  • Pack out and organize group gear, including individual needs from the Gear Lending Library, and establish what assistance will be needed once participants arrive.
• Create menus according to group needs, order food according to budget, shop, organize, and pack all food. This includes resupply packing and logistics.
  • Finalize plans for the trip’s enrichment component (art, craft, culture, anthropological study, community service), ensuring that all materials and plans are ready for teaching and using throughout the trip. This includes any applicable “Advancements” (Eagle’s Nest skill progression structure) to be practiced on the trip.
  • Finalize curriculum and teaching timeline for activities and skills related to the outdoor technical components of the trip. This includes any applicable “Advancements” (Eagle’s Nest skill progression structure) to be practiced on the trip.
  • Finalize the teaching of safety practices necessary for individual functioning, group functioning, travel, environment, and specific activities.
• Meet with ENF Marketing Manager to understand promotional equipment and opportunities while in the field.
• Meet with ENF medical staff about the unique needs of the group.
• Meet with ENF Business Office to receive cash and cards for programmatic use, review budgets, review codes for transactions, and establish a system for recording and keeping receipts.
• Establish a plan for participant arrival, such as the flow of medication drop off and medical staff collaboration with families, setting up welcoming spaces and living spaces for participants, and all activities and lessons before trip departure.

Post-Trip Responsibilities

• Inventory, clean, organize, and de-issue all gear used during the trip. Borrowed gear should be returned to its original location.
• Assist participants in the completion of any trip-related projects, including the packing of created materials for travel or shipment home.
• Meet with Camp medical staff to return all first aid supplies and medications, as well as a wellness check with all involved in the trip.
• Turn in medication records for applicable participants.
• Facilitate debriefs for group to aid in reflection process.
• Complete co-instructor evaluations, and create space for giving and receiving feedback.
• Complete advancements for participants.
• Complete a course evaluation, and review with the Assistant Camp Director in addition to debriefing the trip as a whole.
• Settle finances with the Assistant Camp Director and Business Office, including the return of receipts, cash, and cards.
• Review Incident and Accident forms, compile data, and maintain incident files.

Responsibilities Specific to the Lead Instructor

Every Hante leadership team will have 1 Lead Instructor and 1-2 experienced Assisting Instructors. Lead Instructors are hired by ENF administration during the initial stages of Hante Adventure planning. Working closely with the Assistant Camp Director, the additional responsibilities include:

• Assist with goal setting, itinerary development, and resource creation. This includes logistics surrounding travel plans, lodging, reservations, permits, special equipment gear, and communication to participants.
• Develop resources for the enrichment component, such as an overall curriculum, lesson plans, activities, and identification of opportunities within the trip itinerary.
• Assist with recruiting, hiring, training and mentoring Assistant Instructors, This includes leading Pre-Trip Responsibilities listed above, and offering daily feedback and check-ins.
• Assist with the marketing of the program: provide photo and video content, offer ideas for engagement.
• Arrive a day before the arrival of Assistant Instructors to prepare and ensure a smooth transition.
• Establish a professional environment for assistant instructors by modeling positive judgement and behavior, reinforcing the importance of safety and well-being, encouraging opportunities for outdoor experiential education, and management of logistics and activities.
• Facilitate purposeful trip preparation for both the Hante leadership team and the group as a whole.
• Oversee the risk management for the group, and facilitate decision-making for both Assistant Instructors and, when necessary, participant leadership.

Qualifications:

• Have a passion for being of service to others, for the natural world, and for the field of experiential education.
• At least 21 years of age.
• Available to fulfill the Pre-Trip Responsibilities, including meeting virtually during the spring and arriving to Eagle’s Nest Camp the week before the trip start date.
• First Aid and CPR Certification, or willingness and ability to obtain this certification through staff training. Preference will be given to Wilderness First Responder Certification or higher level of medical training.
• Personal or institutional experience with camping, backpacking, or other forms of outdoor adventure technical pursuits.
• Personal or institutional experience with tutoring, teaching, mentoring others in cultural, visual and/or performing art, craft, or similar areas of study
• Previous experience leading groups of young people, preferably in a wilderness setting or an extended period of time.
• Certifications and training in areas such as Leave No Trace, lifeguarding, environmental science, paddling, and climbing are also appreciated.

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