Trip Leaders are far more than guides—they have a wealth of leadership experience and a passion for working with students in the outdoors.
Wilderness Adventures boasts 50+ years of success in providing life-changing summer adventures for students. Nothing is more essential to this success than the enthusiasm, skills, and dedication of talented leaders. Leading for Wilderness Adventures offers the opportunity to experience a wide range of exciting locations, cultures, and remote wilderness areas, all while providing a group of students with an unmatched opportunity for growth that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Staff Openings
Leadership Team Openings
Working on the full-time team at Wilderness Adventures means being at the heart of creating unforgettable outdoor experiences! This dedicated group works behind the scenes to carefully plan, organize, and coordinate every detail of each adventure.
A great place to grow, have fun, enjoy nature, and empower students! Check out what Trip Leaders had to say about their experience.
Summer Trip Leaders
Wilderness Adventures is looking for Trip Leaders who are enthusiastic about working with students ages 11-20 in group settings. Leaders will guide groups of 10-15 students, with a co-leader through exciting yet challenging adventure activities, as well as teach the curriculum designed for each trip type: Discovery Adventures (5th-6th grades), Explorer Adventures (7th-9th grades), High Trails Adventures (9th-12th grades) and WA Leadership Institute (WALI) Programs (12th+ students seeking a challenging and formative experience outside of the traditional classroom setting). The trips are both mentally and physically challenging for leaders and participants, with adventures ranging from one to six weeks in duration.
Trip Leaders are talented, dynamic, professional and charismatic adults who have a true concern for student growth.
Wilderness Adventures seeks Leaders who will be a positive influence on the participants, an inspirational role model, devoted to supporting student growth and education throughout the trip and creating a fun and non-competitive environment in which the students can thrive. Leaders and students participate in a wide variety of activities such as mountain climbs, backpacking in over 30 National Parks and wilderness areas, rock climbing, sea kayaking, whitewater rafting and kayaking, ice climbing, canyoneering, sailing, snorkeling, SCUBA diving, trekking through Europe's hut system, international and domestic service projects, and language programs. Experience in these activities is helpful, but not required.
Who are Wilderness Adventures Trip Leaders? They’re a multifaceted group of people that come together from all over the world. They are teachers, year-round outdoor educators, avid mountaineers, medical school students, and mechanical engineers. They come with technical and wilderness medicine certifications. Their most important qualities though? Their passion for youth development in the outdoors and the ability to foster community in all environments. Read more…
Program Trips
As a WA Trip Leader, you could go anywhere! Wilderness Adventures runs trips on six of the seven continents!
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 United States (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).
Placement on a Wilderness Adventures trip is based on age, experience, skills, and staffing needs. Most first year staff members will co-lead with a returning staff member. This allows first year staff members to have the chance to lead any of the trips WA offers in any location, worldwide.
Are you looking for a great stepping stone to becoming a Wilderness Adventures Trip Leader?
If you are between the ages of 18 and 21, Wilderness Adventures is currently recruiting summer camp staff to fill various positions in the mountains of Wyoming.Camp New Fork offers both 12-day and 5-day overnight camp experiences designed to capture the magic of summer for campers finishing 2nd-8th grade. Whether it’s a first step into overnight camp or a longer adventure, every camper will find challenge, fun, and friendship. Explore open positions here.
Time Commitment
Applicants must be available to work the entire duration of the trip contract (May 31st–August 2nd, 2026, including staff training). Trip Leaders are expected to be in the field with students 24/7 for the duration of each trip assigned. In between each trip there is a short interim of 2-3 days to rejuvenate and prepare for your next trip. It is a full-on summer, but with high investment comes high reward!
2026 Dates of Employment • Optional WFR certification course or re-cert course (discounted): 2026 dates TBD • Required summer contract: May 31st – August 2nd, 2026 (includes training) • Work option to extend: likely August to October, 2026
Trip Leaders are friends, confidants and facilitators, and their dedication to our students each summer is a principal reason our programs are so successful.
Compensation & Perks
A competitive weekly wage based on previous experience leading youth outdoors and additional certifications. Minimum $2,400 for the summer season. All program expenses are taken care of (transportation and flights to the trip start and end locations, all accommodations, all meals, all activities). Optional Wilderness Adventures sponsored WFR course prior to the June start date for a subsidized price. Staff also receive access to a variety of pro-deals to purchase gear at discounted prices with brands such as Outdoor Research, Orvis, Mountain Hardware, Crocs (and more!) before your summer kicks off.
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.
Ideal Applicants
Minimum of 21 years old by June start. Applicants must have and maintain an excellent driving record with no major infractions of unsafe conduct. You will be required to drive a 15-passenger van towing an 8-foot utility trailer if leading a domestic trip. A minimum certification in Wilderness First Responder by June start. (You can apply and then complete the certification before June or through Wilderness Adventure's discounted sponsored course). College graduate or in the process of completing a degree. Quality experience teaching/leading in a variety of settings, ideally with students in grades 5-12.
Trip Leaders are patient and inspiring teachers and skilled outdoor enthusiasts who focus on fostering constructive group dynamics so that each participant can safely achieve goals consistent with his or her abilities.
Application & Connections
To apply, complete the online application (you will need to upload your resume as a PDF and a copy of your current driver's license). Qualified applicants will go through an interview process (typically two interviews, one on the phone and one over video conference). Successful candidates will also undergo background and reference checks.
2027 Trip Leader Hiring! Check back this October when Wilderness Adventures begins hiring for the 2027 season.
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