Alpenguide: Summer Adventure Trip Leader

Summer 2027 | June 6 – August 11, 2027 | Based in Bozeman, Montana

The role: Equal parts summer camp counselor and outdoor guide

There’s a lot more to leading an Alpengirl adventure than hiking trails and playing games. Being an Alpenguide means combining the skills of an outdoor guide with the heart of a summer camp counselor. You’ll lead backcountry adventures, teach outdoor skills, manage risks, and navigate the logistics of life on the trail. Just as importantly, you’ll mentor campers, build a supportive group culture, help girls navigate challenges, and bring plenty of fun and whimsy to the experience.

Alpenguides are responsible, trustworthy role models who know how to balance safety, structure, spontaneity, and FUN. You might spend the morning teaching backpacking skills, the afternoon helping a homesick camper feel more at ease, and the evening leading a campfire activity after preparing dinner for the group. Every day brings a mix of adventure, problem-solving, camper care, and behind-the-scenes work.

This is hard work, but it’s also an opportunity to spend your summer outside, help young people grow in confidence, and be part of a close-knit team creating memorable outdoor experiences.

What does an Alpenguide do?

Alpenguides work in teams of 2–3, leading groups of approximately 10–12 participants on trips lasting 6–14 days. You’ll receive support from the Alpengirl Leadership Team, but much of your work happens independently in the field, where sound judgment, initiative, and teamwork are essential.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead outdoor adventures: Guide multi-day backpacking trips, horse packing adventures, sea kayaking, rafting, and other outdoor activities as assigned. *All technical activities are led in conjunction with outside outfitters. 

• Be a camp counselor: Build relationships with campers, encourage participation, support homesick or struggling campers, and create a positive, inclusive group culture.

• Teach outdoor skills: Introduce campers to camping, backpacking, outdoor living, and Leave No Trace ethics.

• Prioritize safety: Maintain awareness of environmental and human risks, make sound decisions, respond to changing conditions, and provide wilderness medical care.

• Manage group dynamics: Help campers navigate interpersonal challenges, work through discomfort, and contribute to the group.

• Handle daily logistics: Plan menus, purchase food, prepare meals on outdoor stoves, organize equipment, and manage trip routines.

• Drive and transport participants: Safely operate 15-passenger vans and trailers.

• Communicate effectively: Coordinate with parents, activity outfitters, co-guides, and Alpengirl Leadership.

• Complete administrative responsibilities: Maintain records, submit reports and evaluations, track expenses, and complete other required documentation.

• Take care of the team: Share chores, support your co-guides, communicate proactively, accept feedback, and pitch in wherever needed.

Is Alpengirl the right fit for you?

Working for Alpengirl is an incredible experience, but it’s also demanding. Staff work long, active days outdoors in changing weather, share living spaces with co-guides, take on daily chores and behind-the-scenes responsibilities, and support campers through their own tired, uncomfortable, or challenging moments.

You may get less sleep than you’d like, have limited personal space, experience uncomfortable weather, or need to adapt when plans change. Sometimes, the needs of the group and team will take priority over your personal preferences.

We don’t expect you to be endlessly cheerful or never need a break. We do expect you to communicate proactively, take responsibility for your well-being and behavior, adapt to changing circumstances, accept feedback, and follow through on your commitments.

A great Alpenguide is someone who:

• Enjoys working with teenagers and understands that camper care is just as important as technical outdoor skills.

• Brings a positive attitude, a sense of humor, and a little fun and whimsy to everyday moments.

• Can stay calm, flexible, and solution-oriented when things don’t go according to plan.

• Is comfortable taking initiative and making decisions independently while knowing when to ask for support.

• Is a reliable teammate who shares responsibilities and contributes to a healthy group dynamic.

• Understands that outdoor leadership requires patience, sound judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to safety.

• Can manage the demands of an active summer while communicating their needs and practicing self-care.

Life in the field

Alpenguides should expect to sleep in their own tent outdoors for the entire summer. Camping night after night, in changing weather and sometimes less-than-ideal conditions, is a core part of the job, not an occasional assignment.

This position requires a genuine interest in outdoor living and the ability to remain flexible, resourceful, and engaged through both the exciting moments and the harder days.

Qualifications

Required qualifications

• At least 21 years of age.

• At least one year of college completed; college graduates preferred.

• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification with Epinephrine Auto-injector certification. Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification is preferred.

• Adult CPR/AED certification.

• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.

• Ability to pass a criminal background check.

• Previous experience leading overnight trips in the outdoors.

• Previous experience working with youth in outdoor education, camp, mentoring, teaching, coaching, or other leadership settings.

• Ability to manage the demands of a physically active summer with limited personal time and time off.

• A positive, adaptable, team-oriented attitude and a commitment to making camp FUN!

We recognize that valuable skills come from more than formal jobs or certifications. Personal outdoor experience, community involvement, teaching, coaching, caregiving, and other relevant experiences can all contribute to being a great Alpenguide.

Additional desirable qualifications

• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification or other advanced wilderness medical training.

• Lifeguard certification.

• Leave No Trace certification.

• Backcountry Food Handlers certification.

• Experience driving 15-passenger vans and trailers

• Knowledge of or experience in the geographic regions where our trips take place.

• Experience teaching science, natural history, or outdoor skills.

• Other relevant outdoor leadership, instructional, or activity-specific certifications.

Employment dates and staff training

The 2027 teen trip season runs from June 6 through August 11, 2027, including our mandatory staff training. A limited number of positions may be needed through August 15. Please indicate on your application if you are available for the final week of summer.

Limited consideration may be given to applicants interested in partial-summer commitments.

Alpenguides participate in ten days of in-person staff training in Bozeman, MT before the season begins. Training includes camping, backpacking, camp cooking, skills demonstrations, first aid scenarios, risk management, and a review of camper files, permits, maps, menus, and itineraries.

Training combines practical preparation with the fun of being part of the Alpengirl team. Highlights may include a staff talent show, campfire, hot springs excursion, backpacking, and other team activities. Reading and study materials are provided in advance, and staff are expected to review them before arriving.

Essential physical requirements

Applicants must be physically able to:

• Hike up to 10 miles at elevations up to 11,000 feet while carrying a heavy backpack.

• Traverse uneven terrain, including gravel, dirt, mud, snow, and ice.

• Hike quickly for up to 10 miles in emergency situations.

• Live and work outdoors in variable weather conditions.

• Move or lift up to 60 pounds and load or unload equipment and packs from vehicles.

• Reach, climb, grasp, push, pull, squat, and bend as needed to perform job duties.

Mental, emotional, and professional requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Emotional maturity, reliability, and trustworthiness.

• Effective communication with supervisors, coworkers, participants, vendors, and parents.

• The ability to work successfully with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Initiative, sound judgment, and the ability to make independent decisions.

• Flexibility and the ability to respond appropriately to changing plans, camper needs, and emergencies.

• The ability to model and teach safety and risk management.

• Strong organization, attention to detail, concentration, and follow-through.

Environmental conditions

Staff must be comfortable working in potentially hot, cold, wet, dry, and humid conditions, including significant temperature changes related to elevation, time of day, and season.

The role may involve exposure to vehicle fuel, cleaning products, dust, pollen, poison oak, insects, animals, and other plants or environmental hazards. Staff may also encounter natural events such as wildfire, flooding, landslides, earthquakes, or heavy snow.