Company lacks diversity. Entire full-time staff, 90% of all kids who you mentor on the trip, and nearly all (minus 5 when I was there) of the trip leaders are white, middle/upper class Northeastern people. Easy for any one who doesn't fit/identify with these demographics to feel alone and excluded from the culture.
Most of full-time staff, most notably the Founder and Directors, respond with excessive defensiveness when trip leaders make requests to make concrete changes to main concerns (e.g., lack of diversity). Frustrating environment to work in, and to a point very concerning as many of the full-time and returning leaders seem to have "drunk the punch" and refuse to hear anything other than praise for the company.
Company also lacks remorse and empathy, especially for new leaders. Treated some first time leaders very coldly, putting all blame for incidents on new leaders without considering the complexities, nuances, and different perspectives of the incidents. Company prioritizes their public relations over justice and fairness. Founder is very harsh, unforgiving, sexist and fears change even when it means positive social progress.
Work/life balance is tough. 24/7 management of kids. Had no idea what I was getting into despite the 10-day training prior to setting off on our trip. Company is not completely transparent about how demanding the job is. They promise 8 hours of sleep as part of the benefits when really most leaders were getting an average of 5, especially if they weren't in the wilderness where the lack of activities is more conducive to a good night's rest.
