With a home base in St. Paul, Minnesota, Wilderness Inquiry sits right on the bank of the Mississippi River. From this main office and warehouse location, staff are sent to countless locations across Minnesota and Wisconsin, as well as throughout the U.S., including popular National Parks such as Yellowstone and Glacier. The sea kayaking base camp in Little Sand Bay, Wisconsin takes kayakers throughout the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior's South Shore—known for its red sandstone sea caves, sandy beaches, picturesque lighthouses, and historic shipwrecks. Both locations offer lots to see and do during your off time!
Whether you're an expert or beginner in outdoor recreation and education (or not particularly outdoorsy at all!) there is a place for you at Wilderness Inquiry. Like participants, staff come from all backgrounds, skillsets, and interests, with one thing in common: we are all passionate about making the outdoors a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible community for all. With various program models, staff can enjoy working on extended trips across the country or spend their days working locally and returning to their own homes every night. Over the course of a single trip, Leaders will embrace many roles including educator, guide, leader and more. Seasonal positions are offered from May through October, with varied staff trainings. Compensation ranges from $19-$24/hour for day programs and $182-$232/day for overnights/extended tours. Staff housing, meals on extended trips, and professional service stipends are also provided. If you're looking for a place to make friends, participate in cool experiences, get paid to spend time outside, and work with a crew of amazing individuals where you feel like you truly belong and make a difference, learn more about the Wilderness Inquiry community.
Join Wilderness Inquiry in 2026 Outdoor Leaders create the magic at Wilderness Inquiry—leading life changing outdoor experiences for people of all backgrounds and abilities! Explore all leadership and support positions currently open for the 2026 season!
Take a virtual tour of the Wilderness Inquiry Apostle Islands Base Camp!
From Minnesota’s scenic Superior National Forest, Mississippi River water trails and Twin Cities parks to Iowa’s forestland and wide-open prairies, Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa offers a wide range of opportunities to develop leadership and natural resource skills.
Spend a season or year outdoors conserving natural resources, gain field experience, and make a difference! If you want to work on a team of peers, build trails, learn how to manage wildfires, lead youth in conservation work, or land a hands-on apprenticeship, Conservation Corps MN & IA might be a good fit for you!
Benefits include a living stipend ranging from $2,300-$2,500/month depending on position, health insurance, student loan forbearance during the service term, a post-service AmeriCorps education award, and hands-on training and certifications. Applicants must be 18-30 years old (35 for Veterans) and able to perform essential functions of the job including physically strenuous work. Corpsmembers value hard work, community service, and environmental stewardship and join the Corps to give back to the community while gaining life-long skills. Whether looking to jump-start a natural resources career, protect the environment, or simply try something new, Corpsmembers often have a transformational experience leaving them feeling more prepared for whatever comes next. Explore open positions and learn more!
Serve Outdoors with Purpose this Summer! • CCMI has kicked off their biggest round of summer hiring. Summer crews begin in April/May and serve through August 20th OR December 15th. • Sign-up to receive email notifications when future applications open or deadlines approach!
Whether it's a renewed appreciation for the outdoors or a personal roadmap for a career in natural resources, check out what these Corpsmembers had to say about their lives being positively impacted during the course of their service term.
Camphill Communities are dedicated to creating communities where the recognition of each individual's gifts and contributions offer a model of renewal for the wider society. Camphill Volunteers live with and engage alongside children, youth and adults with developmental and other disabilities in one of fifteen sustainable communities throughout the U.S. (California, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont) and Canada (British Columbia).
Spend a year developing yourself—discover your deeper purpose and share your life and gifts in a thriving intentional community with Camphill! Live-in Volunteers grow faster than they imagine possible, build deep, lasting relationships, and develop practical and creative skills that open doors for the rest of their lives. This is a great chance to master new skills and carry them forward into your future. Biodynamic farming. Artisan baking. Woodworking. Leadership and cooperative collaboration. Mindfulness. Through a mix of structured training and hands-on practice under the guidance of mentors, you dive right in, and by the end of your year, you're not only comfortable with them, but you’re also leading others in learning. In addition to college loan support program, the community ensures that every volunteer's basic living needs are covered. This means you receive a monthly stipend, a private room in a beautiful environment, wholesome, mostly organic meals, medical coverage, and other essentials—from toiletries to use of community cars.
Camphill Is Actively Welcoming Live-In Volunteers! Apply for one of the 125 volunteer spots with start dates throughout the year and share your gifts in one of Camphill's 15 sustainable communities. Learn more about the volunteer experience and explore current positions here.
Whether you're an expert or beginner in outdoor recreation and education (or not particularly outdoorsy at all!) there is a place for you at 
Outdoor Leaders create the magic at Wilderness Inquiry—leading life changing outdoor experiences for people of all backgrounds and abilities! Explore all 
Apply for one of the 125 volunteer spots with