Budding Minds - Adventure Lead Position

Do you love spending your days outdoors, inspiring children through nature-based learning and adventure? We are seeking an enthusiastic, reliable, and passionate Adventure Lead to join our team starting September 1, 2026.

As a Budding Minds Adventure Lead, you will guide children through engaging outdoor experiences that foster curiosity, resilience, creativity, and a connection to the natural world. You'll create a safe, inclusive, and dynamic environment where children can explore, learn, and grow through hands-on adventures.

Responsibilities:

• Work with co-educators to plan, prepare and implement daily activities and exploration based on the children’s interests, seasons and current “happenings” in the forest, and to debrief with co-educators at the end of each day. 
• Create and facilitate a variety of concrete, hands-on, and sensory experiences in order to enhance each child’s intellectual, social, emotional, physical, and creative development
• Maintain safe outdoor practices by ensuring the physical and emotional safety of all children while they are participating in a wide variety of activities including, but not limited to, forest play, hiking, climbing trees, creek play, fire building, tool work 
• Conduct risk assessments and daily site checks
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health and safety policies
• Encourage child-led exploration, creativity, and problem-solving
• Engage in ongoing pedagogical documentation practices, including observing, recording, and reflecting on children’s learning and experiences
• Advocate for the inclusion and deepening of indigenous knowledge and culture and connection with community
• Communicate effectively with families regarding their child’s participation in the program
• Communicate frequently and effectively with the Budding Minds team
• Clean and maintain all program supplies and tools, along with daily preparation of site and learning materials
• Attend educator meetings, training, family meetings and Forest School related events 
• Understand and follow all Budding Minds philosophies, policies, and procedures
• Maintain confidentiality of all information related to the programs, staff, children, and  families

Qualifications/Requirements: 

• Forest and Nature School Practitioner Certification through CNAC, Early Childhood Education certificate/diploma, or Bachelor of Outdoor Education/ Bachelor of Child and Youth Care or equivalent is a definite asset. Must have experience working with children and experience working in an outdoor setting 
• Approved criminal record check, with vulnerable sector check 
• First Aid/CPR certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Applicant will demonstrate a willingness and a capability of working in all weather conditions (rain, snow, heat, cold) with the ability to walk distances over uneven terrain, carry a backpack and perform light lifting duties (firewood etc)
• Applicant will enact teaching duties with enthusiasm regardless of weather conditions 
• Applicant will understand and have the tools to apply the value of risky play, emergent learning philosophies and play/place based learning
• Applicant will be responsible for providing active and engaged supervision of children at all times and must become familiar with, and adhere to, all organizational supervision policies and procedures to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment.
• Communication via cell phone is necessary 
• Successful candidate will be up to date on all vaccinations and immunizations

What We Offer:

• Part-time schedule (20–30 hours per week)
• Monday–Friday daytime hours
• Opportunity to work in a beautiful outdoor environment
• Supportive and collaborative team culture
• Meaningful work helping children build confidence, skills, and a lifelong connection to nature
• Good livable wage, starting at $25/hour (can vary depending on experience/qualifications)
• Health spending account available and paid professional development opportunities