Overview
Organization: Positive Adventures
Position: Experienced Backcountry Backpacking Guide
Location: Yosemite National Park (CA) and/or Grand Staircase-Escalante (UT)
Commitment: September 26 – October 2, 2026 (with potential for additional work opportunities throughout the Fall season)
Compensation & Perks: Prep/Debrief Day: $155.00/day. Field Day: $280.00/days.
Meals and group equipment provided while on program
Potential travel stipend for qualified candidates traveling significant distances
Access to outdoor industry pro deals
Additional seasonal employment opportunities with Positive Adventures
Opportunity to work with a highly experienced and supportive outdoor education team
We are seeking experienced, professional Backpacking Guides to support multi-day wilderness expeditions for youth groups during Fall 2026. This position is intended for individuals with demonstrated experience leading overnight backpacking trips in remote backcountry environments. While experience leading youth groups is preferred, guides with strong adult backpacking leadership backgrounds are also encouraged to apply.
Position Overview
As a Backpacking Guide, you will lead students through multi-day wilderness expeditions while ensuring participant safety, fostering positive group culture, teaching outdoor skills, and facilitating meaningful experiences in the backcountry.
Trips may take place in Yosemite National Park or Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and will involve carrying overnight packs, managing backcountry risk, logistics, and leading groups in remote environments with limited resources and communication.
Primary Guide Need: September 26 – October 2, 2026
Additional outdoor education and adventure program opportunities may be available before or after these dates for qualified candidates interested in joining the broader Positive Adventures field team.
Qualifications:
Certifications: WFR (Wilderness First Responder) certification required
Must be at least 21 years old
Strong leadership, communication, and facilitation skills
Ability to maintain professionalism and sound judgement under challenging field conditions
Comfortable working collaboratively with co-guides and program staff
Physical: Ability to carry a fully loaded backpack for multiple consecutive days and travel over varied terrain and significant elevation gain/loss. Ability to work long days.
Required Skills:
Co-guide a multi-day backpacking expedition alongside another experienced Positive Adventures leader
Oversee the safety, wellbeing, and development of a student group throughout the expedition
Share responsibility for risk management, decision-making, and emergency response in remote wilderness settings
Teach backpacking, camping, Leave No Trace, and outdoor living skills
Foster positive group dynamics, teamwork, leadership, and student growth
Support students through physical, emotional, and interpersonal
About Positive Adventures
Join Our Team
Positive Adventures creates transformative outdoor experiences that help students build confidence, leadership, resilience, and connection through adventure-based learning. Through camping, climbing, paddling, hiking, and team-building programs across California, we help young people discover what they're capable of—and we're looking for exceptional backpacking guides to help lead the way.
