GROW AS AN EDUCATOR

 
 

OPPORTUNITY 


Staff members at High Trails live and work on the 6000-acre property of the Colorado Outdoor Education Center here in Florissant, CO.  Outdoor Education Instructors are involved in a wide variety of work, from teaching about local geology to orchestrating the setup and cleanup of meals.  Staff members spend a majority of time outside, and lead programs and classes starting before breakfast and ending after post-dinner evening activities. Because of this, we encourage hardworking applicants with college degrees and positive references from former employers, teachers and associates.

Staff members receive a stipend, housing, meals and laundry service. Pets are not allowed for seasonal employees.

 

High Trails hires instructors for the spring and fall seasons. Fall runs late August - mid November, and spring runs late March to mid - May. 

We are currently hiring Field Instructors for our Spring 2025 season!

For an inside look at the day-to-day of HTOEC instructors, check out our instagram @hightrailsoutdoored

 
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High Trails Leadership Team 

 

Cassidy has been a part of the High Trails community for the past three years. Beginning as a Field Instructor in 2021, Cassidy transitioned into the Assistant Director role for two years and is now excited to begin her journey as the Director! Her passion and love for the outdoors and High Trails has deepened greatly during her time here, and she is excited to continue to share that passion and love year-round. Beyond Florissant, Cassidy has spent many summers leading youth in the outdoors backpacking, sea kayaking and biking. In receiving her Psychology degree from Colorado Mesa University, Cassidy enjoys connecting youth to the mental health benefits of nature in her work. Cassidy loves all things camp and she can’t wait to share silly songs, dance parties, and her knowledge of the area with students!

 

Hi, I’m Lu. After 31 wonderful years as a classroom teacher in Academy School District 20, I have transitioned to my Dream Job working for High Trails. I am eager to do whatever I can to keep this program dynamic and successful so that students can continue to come up to this mountain community to explore, learn, and grow for many years.  It is a precious gift for me to have this time and place to share in the wonders of our natural world and to harvest curiosity and joy on a daily basis with students, staff and teachers. 

 

Hello everyone! My name is Tully and I'm from way up north in Anchorage, Alaska! This will be my second season with the HTOEC team, but I have been a High Trails camper and staff member for many years. I earned my Bachelor degree in Elementary Education from the University of Alaska and have gained a ton of awesome experience in the classroom that I am excited to bring to the High Trails team. Some fun facts about me are I still have a baby tooth because my adult tooth never grew in (I think it's shy), I can do a REALLY good Yoshi impression, and I love singing (even though I don't have the greatest voice- that doesn't stop me!). I am so excited to just be back at High Trails, surrounded by nature and the most incredible people on the face of the Earth. Woohoo!!

 

2024 Fall Season Field Instructors

 

Hey everyone! My name is Mackenna and I am so excited for my first season at HTOEC! I graduated in May 2023 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, focusing on early childhood education. I have spent the past year post-grad, working in schools and outdoor education settings, and I am looking forward to spending the upcoming year doing the same. I love spending my free time running, reading and doing anything outdoors!

 

Hi, my name is Merikayt. This will be my fourth season with High Trails Outdoor Education Center and I’m as excited as ever to introduce the outdoor world to whole bunch of curious students. I have a BA in Psychology and a BA in Sociology, with big dreams helping reform the education center. Teaching kids at High Trails is one of many steps towards the goal. Can’t wait for another amazing session at camp!

Hi I'm Alan. I am from the beautiful, beautiful state of New Jersey! After graduating with a math degree, I decided that I wanted to experience the world of outdoor education. I am finishing up my third summer here at the Sanborn Western Camps, and I decided I am not ready to leave yet! I am so stoked to spend the fall here in Colorado, and to work with all of the incoming schools.

Hi everyone my name is Dennis and this is my 5th season here. I’m excited to jump back into costume and character as we kick off yet another season of fun and interaction with the students at High Trails. Some fun facts about me, I enjoy cooking at home with friends and family, writing poetry, travel, and decorating homes. I love spending time in nature, frolicking through the woods, and helping people feel more connected to themselves. I’m really just a big kid at heart and the students definitely keep me youthful. I believe this season will be one of our best yet and I’m grateful to be part of it. Cheers!!!

Hi I’m Jenny! I spent this summer working at Sanborn Western Camps and can’t wait to work Outdoor Ed! I have a degree in wildlife conservation and worked the past few years as a park ranger in Maryland. I’m looking forward to spending more time in CO and sharing the love of the outdoors with others!

Hi everyone! My name is Anna and I just finished up my third summer at High Trails! I am originally from Cleveland, OH but I have lived in Dallas, TX for the last 6 years. I received my Bachelors of Science in Child Development from Texas Woman’s University and worked at a non-profit teaching healthy relationships to children and parents. I am a big reader and I have the funniest orange cat named Sampson. I have always loved Colorado and I am so excited to experience fall here! I cannot wait to meet everyone!

Hi friends! My name is Sonya and I`m so grateful to be a part of HTOEC for my first time this fall. To share a bit of my story I’m originally from the beautiful country Ukraine but have been living in Texas for the last 2 years. Back home I studied Graphic design in the Art Academy and worked and volunteered for multiple summer camps. I also had the privilege of being a part of Sanborn Western Camps this past summer! I’m exited to share with kids my love for the outdoors and experience beautiful fall in Colorado together!

Hello, I’m Max! I graduated from Florida State University and I’ve always had a passion for working outdoors. There’s something incredibly rewarding about connecting with nature and even more so when I get to share that experience with kids and young adults. Guiding them through the beauty and safety of the outdoors is not just a job for me- it’s an opportunity to inspire and educate the next generation about the wonders of the natural world. I can’t wait to see everyone at camp soon!

Hi! My name is Maddie or Mad and I'm super excited for my first fall season here at HTOEC! I've worked at High Trails for the past 3 summers but am grateful to experience the fall season in this place. I am originally from Kansas and have a great love for the plains. I am most looking forward to teaching subjects I am passionate about and watching the seasons change. See you soon!

Hello! My name is Gracie. Born in sunny Arizona, my love for the outdoors began when I moved to Colorado when I was in first grade. As a fifth grader, I experienced High Trails for the first time and fell in love. As a student at Coronado High School, I was a counselor four times teaching kids about the outdoors and why we need to care for our world. My love for the natural world is matched only by my diverse interests; I'm an avid poet, wanderer and craft unique jewelry. Another fun fact about me; I can set up a hammock in 1 minute and 13 seconds (I know it's super impressive). I have been waiting for this moment since I was 10, now as an 18 year old, one of my biggest dreams has come true. Yay!

2024 Fall Season Health Center Team

Hi! I’m Lisa and I am so excited for my second season at High Trails! I have been a nurse for almost 40 years now and I still love it every day. There is nothing I like more than to be in the great outdoors; skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, camping, fishing (OR just sitting by the lake watching other people try to catch those elusive fish) are just a few of my favorite things to do. A fun thing to know about me is that my horse’s name is Tequila and he tries very hard to be good but he gets into his share of trouble. I have a dog named Ponko and 5 chickens that run all around my backyard. Doing all the things I love to do has made me realize that being outdoors is the best medicine for good health, happiness and personal growth. I can’t wait to see you all at camp!

 
 

Find us on Instagram @hightrailsoutdoored