Due to current weather patterns, some smoke from fires outside our area has reached camp. We are monitoring our air quality and will adjust our activities as needed. Please note that camp is safe. We will continue to work closely with our local fire and emergency services personnel in compliance with our established emergency action plans. The safety of all campers is our first priority, and we are excited to welcome guests to camp this summer.
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!
