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 2025 Guiding One Pager promo PDF
Requirements
- 20 years old by May 1, 2025
- 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 (March 13-17, 2025 in Colorado; March 2026 TBD) and one week of trail training in May. For 2025, guides will arrive on May 11 and depart on August 9.
- Understand that it is a volunteer position. There are fundraising opportunities available!
- 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
We start interviewing after applications are received and throughout the fall.
The first wave of hiring decisions will be made in mid-December 2024, and will continue on a rolling basis into the spring, ending in early February.
- Training begins spring of 2025 for new guides.
To Apply
The hiring process begins in the fall. All interested guide candidates must fill out these forms or call the winter office at 719-867-3622.
Read the 2025 Guide Job Description.
Submit the 2025 GUIDE INTEREST FORM on or before October 31, 2024 to get started. Then, we will send you the full application!
Send the MINISTRY REFERENCE FORM to your references. You must submit two for your application to be considered complete.
Send the EMPLOYMENT REFERENCE FORM to your references. You must submit one for your application to be considered complete.
