Leading a Wilderness Adventures trip can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. The opportunity to travel with a small group of energetic young adults in spectacular outdoor settings, and to engage in meaningful conversations around the campsite and along the trail is a profoundly impacting experience.
Wilderness Adventures runs summer programs that focus on multi-activity backcountry travel. Students (ages 11-20) are able to develop leadership, communication and team building skills while experiencing our natural world. With headquarters in beautiful Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Leaders come here to train for their summer before setting out to some of the most amazing destinations. Trips are led in the U.S. (Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Montana, New York Adirondacks, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming) as well as abroad (the Alps, Cambodia, Chamonix Zermatt, Costa Rica, Ecuador, the Galápagos, the Pyrenees, and Vietnam).
Serving as teacher, facilitator and mentor, Trip Leaders introduce small groups to the merits of living simply while participating in a variety of activities such as mountain climbs and backpacking in over 30 National Parks and wilderness areas, rock climbing, sea kayaking, whitewater rafting and kayaking, ice climbing, canyoneering, sailing, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, service projects, and language programs. Responsibilities include teaching outdoor skills, minimum-impact camping, environmental and cultural awareness, natural and cultural history, and more! The trips are both mentally and physically challenging for leaders and participants, with adventures ranging from one to six weeks in duration. Applicants must be at least 21, have an excellent driving record, hold current CPR and WFR certifications (WA sponsors a WFR course for Leaders—ask about it when you apply!), and be available to work the entire duration of the summer contract (May 31st – August 2nd, 2026, with an option to extend work through the end of October). Wilderness Adventures pays leaders a competitive weekly wage based on previous experience leading youth outdoors. In addition, all food, accommodations, and travel are paid for throughout your summer. Folks will also receive access to a variety of pro-deals to purchase gear at discounted prices before your summer kicks off. Explore more at WildernessAdventures.com!
2026 Trip Leader Hiring! Wilderness Adventures is now acceptingTrip Leader applications for the 2026 season.
A great place to grow, have fun, enjoy nature, and empower students! Check out what Trip Leaders had to say about their experience.
As the world's #1 active travel company, Backroads is energetically recruiting Trip Leaders and Trip Prep Specialists for their luxury biking, walking, hiking and multi-adventure vacations geared for groups of families, solos or couples in destinations throughout the United States, Europe and the world. Field staff houses are located in California, Vermont, Alberta, Iceland, the South of France, Norway, Argentina and more. Explore the Backroads website to see all of the places around the world in which they have trips!
Do you have a zest for life with a passion for people, travel and the outdoors? Whether by foot, bicycle, kayak or raft, Trip Leaders are the catalyst for a fun, interesting, safe and personally rewarding experience for their group of active travelers. Leaders enrich each trip with their personality, drive, and passion for travel and the outdoors, while providing outstanding customer service and sharing their love and knowledge of the area. Backroads is also seeking to build a diverse team of seasonal Trip Prep Specialists (TPS) to work behind the scenes in tandem with Trip Leaders to ensure smooth trip logistics (bikes, vans, trailers and trip-related paperwork) before and after each departure. The TPS role is based in one of many regional hubs but does not work on trip. First year Leaders receive a competitive daily wage and gratuities, plus gourmet meals, accommodations in some of the best inns, hotels and campgrounds the region has to offer, travel costs, generous pro-deals and many other fringe benefits. At minimum, applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid driver's license and clean driving record. If you are master problem solver, effective public speaker, skilled driver, meticulous record keeper, a motivating force in group dynamics while being sensitive to individual needs, and have a passion for travel, join the Backroads.com family!
Summer 2026 Employment—Hiring Now Open! 2026 is going to be HUGE. It's an exciting time to work at Backroads with loads of opportunity! Backroads is now accepting applications for U.S., Canadian and European Trip Leaders and Trip Prep Specialists who can work from April through October 2026 (flex start/end dates). Speaking a foreign language is welcome, but not required.
Curious what it means to be a Backroads Trip Leader? Take a look at this video to meet a few of Backroad's amazing field staff!
Creating life experiences that spark both physical and intellectual growth, The Road Less Traveled encompasses summer wilderness adventure, service-learning, environmental education, and language immersion programs for young people ages 12-19. Experience the extraordinary lands and cultures of North America (Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Wyoming and Puerto Rico) and places around the world (Cambodia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan Morocco, Norway, Peru, Scotland, Spain, Thailand and Vietnam).
The Road Less Traveled is a life-changing educational travel experience—an extraordinary opportunity to join with others, explore humanity, build deep relationships, and develop an appreciation for our world’s vast adventurous scenery and its people. As a Trip Leader, you'll have the opportunity to share your knowledge and love of the wilderness, service learning, and cultural awareness with bright and enthusiastic young people; work with other highly motivated, qualified, committed professionals; and experience extraordinary lands and cultures around the world. Trip Leaders begin their summer with twelve days of paid staff training, then guide and engage participants in service-learning projects, language immersion programs, backpacking, rock climbing, biking, kayaking, trekking, SCUBA diving, whitewater rafting, and more from June through August. Compensations for first year Trip Leaders begins at $65/day and includes all food, lodging and transportation from the start of staff training through the end of your final trip, a stipend towards certifications, and the opportunity to work with world-renown and expert guides. Candidates must be at least 21 years of age and have WFR/CPR and lifeguard certifications, experience working with teenagers, and solid wilderness and international travel skills. RLT is always looking for motivated people with a passion for life-changing travel to join the team!
2026 Trip Leader Hiring! Trip Leader applicants are genuine, friendly, active, educated, and well-traveled. RLT is now hiring Trip Leaders for the summer 2026 season! Applications will be accepted from October through the spring or until all staffing needs are met — so apply early.
A paid twelve-day training period is mandatory for all RLT summer staff. Check out staff training »
Summer Trip Leaders & Gap Semester Field Instructors
Featuring distinctive, immersive, and educational experiences to some of the world’s most stunning and rarely explored destinations, ARCC Programs offers extraordinary service and adventure programs for teens and young adults. Program destinations include Australia & Fiji, Bali & Sumatra, Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador & Galápagos, Kenya & Tanzania, Peru, Southeast Asia, Spain & Morocco, Thailand, Vietnam & Cambodia, and the U.S. (Alaska, California, Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming).
ARCC is seeking Summer Program Leaders who are enthusiastic about working with students ages 13-18 and who have strong experience working with groups. Leaders will guide groups of up to eighteen students, with a co-leader, through rigorous international or domestic service projects, cultural exchange, and adventure programs that include backpacking, rafting, SCUBA diving, surfing, snorkeling, and sea kayaking. Leaders also provide cultural history and education relevant to their location and teach curriculum designed for community service programs. Leaders must be available for staff training in Denver, Colorado from June 12th-18th, 2026, and then are contracted to lead one or two summer trips, ranging from 2-3 weeks through early August. Leaders can also transition into the Gap Semester Program (offering an educational and cultural bridge between high school and college) as a Field Instructor during the fall/spring. The first-year leader salary rate ranges from $500-$550/week (depending on trip placement) and includes all living and travel expenses on program and great pro-deals. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, WFR certified, in excellent physical condition, and have a current driver’s license and clean driving record. If you are ready to lead, teach and inspire teenagers while traveling to some of the most beautiful destinations in the world, send a resume and cover letter (outlining why you're interested in working for ARCC and how you would be a great fit) to employment@arccprograms.com.
Bold Earth operates 12 to 21-day domestic and international adventure travel-based programs for teenagers designed to foster community, teach leadership, and cultivate global citizenship. Groups have the opportunity to surf on the Kona coast in Hawaii, trek throughout Iceland, snorkel in Costa Rica with turtles, and so much more! Bold Earth is especially seeking Trip Leaders who will return year after year and contribute to their amazing staff culture.
Trip Leaders facilitate safe, fun, and meaningful summer experiences for teenagers from all over the globe. In the process, Leaders get to explore beautiful areas, contribute to local communities, and make a positive impact in the lives of teenagers. Trip Leaders are in charge of managing group dynamics, coordinating logistics, and leading and assisting with activities that include trekking, rock climbing, snorkeling, sea kayaking, surfing, whitewater rafting, cooking and more. The Trip Leader position involves a unique combination of risk management, role modeling, leadership, laughter, games, and hard work! Compensation starts at $500/week for first year Leaders, and includes a paid week-long staff training, all meals (you'll eat well!), accommodations, travel expenses, and industry pro deals on outdoor gear. Applicants must be 21 years old, a college graduate or working towards a degree, WFR certified, demonstrate prior leadership experience with youth, and have an ability to facilitate fun.
2026 staff training runs from June 18th–25th just outside of Denver, CO, with contracts ending no later than mid-August. If you can facilitate a fun, growth-oriented environment that inspires teenagers in an adventure travel setting, email your resume to Kayla Fulkerson.
With 50 years of experience, Bold Earth leads fun and adventurous trips with small groups of great teenagers to over 20 destinations around the globe! View the Bold Earth experience »
VISIONS Service Adventures hires exceptional people who are driven to make positive change in the world through working hard and being role models for young people. Leaders understand that having their own needs met can be the result of serving others and doing an excellent job. Typical leader teams include outdoor educators, teachers, grad students, returned Peace Corps volunteers, adventurers, and other individuals who understand that the most immersive work can be the most rewarding. At least one carpenter is hired for the Montana program. Most teams include six leaders, keeping a 1 to 4/5 leader to student ratio. The days are spent at project sites, cultural activities, and outings. Leaders both participate in and supervise all aspects of the experience. Each program session lasts from one to four weeks, and there are multiple sessions per summer with days off between. Longer sessions also include a day off per week. Leaders receive a salary stipend, meals, lodging, and round-trip travel for international sites or a travel stipend for U.S. sites. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age, CPR/first aid certified prior to program start (can be obtained after the hiring process), and have Spanish skills for Dominican Republic/Peru programs. Special qualifications, such as advanced medical or lifeguard certifications and carpentry skills are beneficial but not required. Apply online or email Josephine Foster with your questions.
Serving as teacher, facilitator and mentor, 
Wilderness Adventures is now accepting 
2026 is going to be HUGE. It's an exciting time to work at Backroads with loads of opportunity! Backroads is now 
Trip Leader applicants are genuine, friendly, active, educated, and well-traveled. RLT is now hiring 
