Overview

The High Mountain Institute is seeking to hire two Summer Term Interns and two Summer Programs Interns for the summer of 2026 to support HMI Summer Programs. All interns will help lead wilderness expeditions, facilitate our residential life program, and assist with a variety of tasks related to summer program logistics and campus operations. Specific responsibilities will vary by the internship.

Position Responsibilities:

– Work closely with Summer Programs Director and Staff to support summer programs by:
– Serving as an instructor-in-training on backpacking expeditions
– Helping lead afternoon and evening activities
– Helping prepare and clean up community meals
– Participating in campus maintenance and cleaning
– Additional Responsibilities of Summer Term Interns:
– Serving as a cabin-head (which includes overnight supervision) to help mentor students and facilitate community building
– Helping facilitate the writing seminar

Additional Responsibilities of Summer Programs Interns:
– Assisting with wilderness program administrative duties, including: Gear issue, food rationing, and gear repair
– Working with Summer Programs Director to support the Lake County Backpacking Trip and Educator’s Expedition

Dates: June 21, 2026 – August 1, 2026

Position Benefits:
– Work with experienced outdoor educators and receive coaching in trip leading and student mentorship
– Room and board provided
– Reimbursement for travel (and other internship relevant expenses) up to $1000

Tagged as: Instruction and Guiding

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:
- 21 years of age by June 21, 2026
- Able to pass criminal and driving background checks

Preferred Skills:

Preferred Qualifications:
- Prior leadership experience
- Enthusiasm for working with teenagers
- Interpersonal skills, ability to interact appropriately with a diverse array of students, parents, and colleagues
- Awareness of the various dimensions of diversity, including gender, race, and ethnicity
- Personal competency in the outdoors; able to take care of self and assist beginners
- Strong work ethic and highly organized
- Current Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder certification

About High Mountain Institute

Founded in 1995, HMI is a nonprofit independent school with a focus on outdoor, experiential, and place-based education. HMI serves approximately 175 students per year across its high school, summer, and gap programming. About 30% of students receive financial aid and a similar percentage identify as people of color. All HMI students participate in extended wilderness expeditions lasting from 10-21 days. HMI is not a rehabilitative or wilderness therapy program. HMI students are high-achieving, healthy students seeking challenge, a strong community, and a deeper connection to nature. HMI has nearly 30 year-round staff, about half of whom live on campus. Learn more at: www.hminet.org.

Application Instructions

How to Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume clearly stating the applicant’s preferred internship to Steph Schneider, Assistant Director of Programs, via email at sschneider@hminet.org by January 23, 2026. We will begin our initial review of applications after January 23, 2026 and will continue reviewing applications until the positions are filled. Due to the amount of inquiries received, we are not able to respond to all submissions. Correspondence via e-mail is preferred.