Hawai’i Junior Counselor Program
Our high school students help lead our after school program. Junior Counselors are held to a high standard laid out by our Wild Guides and Executive Council, which is comprised of seniors. Our JC’s are trained "on the job" and through leadership retreats to monitor safety, engage younger students in imaginative play and story telling, model insatiable curiosity and adaptive behavior, and guide exploration and problem solving through active questioning. Our Buddy Counselors are 8th graders who serve as interns under our high school Junior Counselors and act as "buddies" to the younger Wild Kids. After each adventure in the forest, Junior Counselors stay for a debrief of the adventure and discuss the strengths and growth areas that they notice within themselves and others. They also provide program suggestions and lesson ideas.
At the end of each full session, Junior Counselors undergo an evaluation process with the lead adult Wild Guides based on the following categories: Awareness & Initiative, Mindful Engagement, Principled Choices, Conservation Ethic, Imaginative Play, Flexible Thinking, Insatiable Curiosity, Compassionate Communication, Confidence in Self and in Others, and Active Appreciation.
If you’re interested in applying to be a Hawai’i After School Junior Counselor, please email us @ wildkidshawaii@gmail.com.
Middle School Summer Junior Counselor Program
Every summer, a group of high school students who are active members of the Wild Kids After School program and/or the Wild LANDS program are selected as junior counselors for the middle school boys trip, middle school girls trip, or the high school trip. Many of these counselors have gone on previous trips to Montana. These students are also eager and passionate to help mentor younger students and develop their own leadership skills. This is a way to gain more leadership experience and a possible paid position for the Montana trips after graduating high school. Being a junior counselor on a Montana trip is an exciting learning and personal growth opportunity.
