Guide at Wilderness Ranch

The purpose of a Wilderness Ranch guide is to, through the highest levels of safety, facilitate spiritual and emotional growth within all group members, i.e., campers, leaders and guide team partners.

Guides have a heart for serving and pointing others to the loving arms of Jesus. Guiding is a great opportunity to grow in your own relationship with the Lord while being part of a fun and encouraging community.  

Guides typically spend 2 of every 3 weeks on adventure. When guides are in basecamp, they will jump into a variety of roles, wherever needed for that week. Recently, we've made the switch to allowing guides to keep their cell phones during the summer and making ​ a less prioritized WiFi signal available to them. This allows guides to stay more connected with love ones back home while maintaining that less-distracted space.

Download the 2026 Guiding One Pager​ promo PDF

 

Requirements

  • 20 years old by May 1 of that summer
  • 2 years, or 4 semesters, of actual ministry leadership experience-- post high school, does not have to be Young Life; does have to be active leadership, not just participation. Summer internships will be weighed and considered on a case by case basis.
  • Make a 2 summer commitment, including spring training dates (April 8-12, 2026 in Colorado; March/April TBD, 2027 in Colorado) and one week of trail training in May. For 2026, guides will arrive on May 11 and depart on August 8.
  • Understand that it is a volunteer position. There are fundraising opportunities available, as well as financial assistance through a scholarship program. Ask us for more details!
  • Understand that guides facilitate both backpacking and adventure camping trips.
  • Understand that guiding requires a basic level of fitness and ability. There will be a pack test​ where you must hike 3 miles with a 45 pound pack in under 45 minutes in May at basecamp.

Hiring Process

  • GUIDE HIRING IS CLOSED FOR 2026 and will re-open late summer for 2027.
  • We start interviewing after applications are received and throughout the fall.
  • Interviews and hiring decisions will continue on a rolling basis throughout the fall and into winter.
  • Training begins spring of 2026 for new guides.

To Apply

The hiring process begins in the fall and closes sometime in the winter/spring. All interested guide candidates must fill out these forms or call the winter office at 719-867-3622. ​

 

Read the 2026 Guide Job Description.

Submit the Guide Interest Form (will re-open late summer 2026) to put your name on the list for summer 2028/2028 hiring. Then, we will set up a screening call in the fall, and then send you the full application!