Butter and Egg offers flexible jobs

Students looking for an active job that works around their college schedules can find an opportunity at Butter and Egg Adventures, which is hiring recreation guides to help with field trips, groups and events.

The outdoor recreation facility hires employees throughout the year to keep up with its changing schedule and staffing needs. Returning employees sometimes leave when school and other responsibilities become more demanding, creating opportunities for new workers.

“We're looking to hire because every season, we'll have some of our returning employees that will drop off and say, you know, I need to focus on school, or I've got a heavy workload,” said Ashley Anderson, manager at Butter and Egg Adventures.

Anderson has worked at Butter and Egg Adventures for about three and a half years. She started as a recreation guide before becoming a manager. As the fall season approaches, the facility expects to work with more school groups and field trips, increasing the need for additional staff.

The facility looks for employees who can work morning shifts but also tries to accommodate students' class schedules.

“We're really looking for people that can work in the morning, and we're really flexible working around class schedules when we can,” Anderson said.

That flexibility can make the job a good fit for college students who want to earn money without sacrificing time for their classes. Most of the staff members are current Troy University students or Troy alumni, creating an environment where employees can meet people they may also see around campus.

Anderson said her experience at Butter and Egg Adventures helped her build friendships while attending Troy. She graduated from Troy in 2024 and originally discovered the facility through a University Activities Council event.

At the time, Anderson had recently changed her degree to sport management and saw a connection between her studies and the outdoor recreation industry.

“This is way cooler than anything I would have done with my degree,” Anderson said.

Her experience also showed her that the job offered more than outdoor activities. She enjoyed working with children, helping them learn and grow and developing relationships with her coworkers.

While recreation guides spend much of their time working with customers, the day-to-day responsibilities can vary. Natalie Carnley, owner and operator of Butter and Egg Adventures, said some days involve planning and computer work while others involve several groups using the facility at once.

Butter and Egg Adventures has 52 beds for lodging, allowing groups to stay for multiple nights. Guests can participate in activities such as water activities, zip lining, canoeing and other recreational programs.

Carnley said the facility can host several groups in one day, including church groups, children's ministries, Boys & Girls Clubs and Troy's Impact program. During the summer, Impact groups can bring as many as 150 incoming Troy freshmen to the facility for dinner and recreational activities.

With so many different activities available, new employees may assume they need previous outdoor recreation experience. However, Anderson said the facility trains employees from the beginning.

“None of our guides ever come in with ropes course training or certifications or anything like that,” Anderson said. “Everyone that comes here has no knowledge of any of this at all, and then we train them.”

The training allows employees to learn activities such as zip lining, pedal boats, canoeing, axe throwing and laser tag. Guides work alongside experienced staff until they feel comfortable performing each responsibility.

The job also teaches employees how to work with customers who may feel nervous about participating in an activity. Anderson said helping children overcome their fears can become one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

“It's very much a learn as you go job, but we're always there to help you out,” Anderson said.

The outdoor environment also separates the position from a typical college job. Recreation guides spend much of their shifts outside and on their feet, sometimes working through different weather conditions.

“This is a unique job where you truly get to be active,” Carnley said.

Although employees may work in the rain or other challenging conditions, Anderson said customers often enjoy the experience. She said guests who zip line in the rain frequently return excited about the experience, creating memorable moments for both customers and employees.

The positive work environment has also encouraged current employees to recommend the job to their friends. Anderson said guides often encourage friends to apply because they enjoy working at the facility.

Along with the outdoor activities, Butter and Egg Adventures works to accommodate the schedules of college students. Employees can sometimes work morning shifts before afternoon classes, allowing them to earn hours while still having time for school.

“We try and make sure we piece everybody in so that you can get hours, and we're getting people to work.” Anderson said.

For Troy students interested in an active job, Butter and Egg Adventures offers an opportunity to work outdoors, meet new people, develop new skills and gain work experience while balancing college responsibilities.

Anyone interested in applying for a position at Butter and Egg Adventures can contact the facility at 334-670-9954.