Providing a supportive and therapeutic environment within the peaceful Maine woods, New Horizons for Young Women has helped hundreds of teenage girls who are having difficulties with the transition between girl and womanhood. Whether these challenges stem from low self-esteem, academic underachievement, motivation issues, eating disorders, drug and alcohol experimentation, depression, physical aggression, defiance, self-abuse or sexual promiscuity, New Horizons works to empower each girl to discover their inner strength and respect the value of personal challenges and healthy relationships. Knowing that the beauty and challenge of nature is sometimes the best path back to a healthy life, girls are taken into the great outdoors where they can reflect on past decisions and future choices, and do things they never thought possible. When that first fire lights, when they make it down the river in a canoe or across an open field in snowshoes, they also make an amazing discovery: they're strong and capable and they can make things happen.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Wilderness Instructors are at the heart of helping young women discover their inner strength and abilities—a female or male role model to guide, encourage and expect the best from. In addition to mentoring and building positive relationships with each student, instructors will teach life skills, facilitate groups coordinated by a therapist, debrief conflicts, and manage risk while supervising the students.

Instructors will also lead a variety of activities and outdoor expeditions. Depending on the season, this may include backpacking, canoeing, snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, martial arts, yoga, drumming, wreath building, maple syrup tapping, working in the organic gardens, personal safety training, and multi-cultural celebrations.

Prior to employment, wilderness instructors will participate in a paid, three week orientation that encompasses the themes of philosophy, respect, emotional support, health coping skills, outdoor/wilderness skills and team work. Facilitators will also provide training in additional topics ranging from counseling and team building skills to stress management and outdoor treatment models.

In addition to wilderness instructor job opportunities, administrative and clinical/medical professional positions may be available.

TIME COMMITMENT

Year-round instructors typically spend three days in base camp and five days on expedition, with an eight day on, six day off work schedule. While on expedition, morning meetings begin around 7:00 a.m. to discuss the day's itinerary and possible strategies. Girls wake up around 7:30 a.m. to prepare for the day, break camp and continue the expedition. After arriving at the destination, camp is set up; activities, group sessions, quiet hours and breaks follow. Dinner, chores and another group session rounds out the day. The schedule follows a similar fashion at base camp, except individual and group therapy are incorporated.

PERKS & REWARDS

Great people are the lifeblood of New Horizons. That's why a generous compensation package is offered. Wages start at salaried $23,660, plus pro deal purchases, a rent-to-own gear program, four-hour weekly sessions focusing on clinical, programming, and risk management topics, and the chance to wake up with the sun in your eyes!

After 90 days of employment, benefits include full medical, vision and dental coverage (monthly premium paid 100% by employer), paid vacation after the first year, 11 paid annual holidays, accrued sick time, annual training workshops and seminars, and an education/gear stipend.

Internship opportunities are also offered for a minimum of two months. In addition to on-the-job learning and the opportunity to present a final project, a $100/month education contribution is provided after the first month.

THE ESSENTIALS

Current and past wilderness instructors have varied interests and backgrounds: they've been rafting instructors, Registered Maine Guides, police officers, published authors, teachers, scout leaders—even recent college grads. But they all have three things in common: a love for the outdoors, a commitment to the New Horizon's mission, and lots of integrity.

Key traits of instructors include loads of energy, motivated and caring, the desire to teach and learn, a willingness to try new things, the ability to empower rather than enable, to mentor while providing care and challenge, experienced with at-risk youth, being a self-starter with a big heart, and the ability to take care of themselves and others in a wilderness setting.

Prospective instructors are required to have at least one of the following degrees, licenses or certifications; a Bachelor's of Art or Science, Registered Maine Guides license, National Outdoor Leadership School, Wilderness First Responder, Clinical First Responder, Wilderness Education Association certification, or similar wilderness leadership/adventure therapy certification.

YOUR FIRST MOVE

To begin your journey with New Horizons, download and mail in your completed application. Upon receipt, you will be contacted to discuss current opportunities. If for any reason a position is not available, your application will remain on file for a future opening.

Although applications are accepted year-round, there are two key pre-hire orientation start dates every year:
• Third week of April orientation (applications due by March 31st)
• Third week of October orientation (applications due by September 30th)

CONNECTIONS

Darlene Stormann Human Resources New Horizons for Young Women P.O. Box 66 Springfield, ME 04487 207.738.3247 207.738.3250 fax nhywhr@earthlink.net www.daughtersatrisk.com

NAVIGATION

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