Backpack Guide / Support Guide
Sonlight Guides create community within each Adventure trip, setting an environment where kids can belong, learn more about who God created them to be and face the challenge of wilderness travel. Guides are the teachers, the risk managers, the guides, and the magic makers.
As a Sonlight Adventures employee, you will emphasize our core values of Community, Faith, and Natural World while guiding backpacking, and escorting some groups on day raft trip.
Live your faith in your work and play as you guide kids in wilderness adventures. Inspire greatness and create the safe space for kids to be who God created them to be. Guides are responsible for ensuring that campers have an adventure experience in a manner consistent with Sonlight’s mission, vision and values.
If you'd like to invest in youth this summer: we would love to meet you! We hire a diverse group of young people who all have a passion to "Be with kids and show them God".
Backpack Guides will take the lead on, and guide all trips in July. Staff training is required. 21 years of age, WFR certification and wilderness experience is required. Read full job description
Support Guides will be in the Counselor or BTS role when not guiding. This is a full summer commitment. Read full job description
Early November: Staff Applications Open
November/ December/ January: Rolling Interviews occur
December 1st: Returning Staff Hiring Decisions Made
January 15th: All New Hiring Decisions Made
January/ March/ April: Hiring for all remaining positions ongoing
May 26th International Staff/ Staff Flying Arrive (DRO Airport Shuttle)
May 28th: All Staff Training Begins, Arrive 4-5:30pm
May 28- June 5: Backpack Guide Staff Training
July 1 - August 2: Backpack Trips
Why Sonlight? Our camp is small, and the benefits profound. The opportunity to get to know campers, and provide a wilderness experience is significant
What does the job involve? The Lead Backpack Guide position involves 5 days of staff training to understand the Sonlight culture, and build community with the leadership team and resident camp staff. Then the month of July is the guide season, with high school trips and 1 Women's backpack trip.
Trail and backpack experience, 21 years of age, and current Wilderness First Responder training are requirements for the Backpack Guide position. The Support Guide position requires 18 years of age, some trail and wilderness knowledge, WFA (or WFR) certification. The Support Guide will be part of the full summer staff, filling a BTS or Counselor role when not on the trail.
Why this job? The Backpack Guide is a unique guide position. A shorter summer commitment, and the opportunity to bring the wonder of the trails and wilderness to high school kids. The mighty San Juans is our permitted area. Connecting our faith and the challenge and rewards of backpacking and wilderness makes this a position set apart.
Who are the backpack staff? Sonlight hires 1 lead guide, and each trip has a support guide. Support guides are Sonlight resident camp staff with backpack experience who are gaining trail miles to move into a lead guide position.
Is this a paid position? Yes. All of our summer staff positions are paid. In addition to your paycheck you also receive room and board during the backpack season, laundry, and worker’s compensation insurance.
When does staff training begin? Staff training begins the week of May 25th, 2026, start dates vary depending on position. The summer season runs through August 1st. A staff commitment is for the entire summer season
What about health insurance? Sonlight offers a small accident / illness insurance policy for summer staff. It does not cover any pre-existing conditions. It is for injury /illness only. It is a small policy, not major health insurance
Sonlight Staff Handbook Everything you need to know about being on staff at Sonlight
Staff Application Start the conversation about whether a staffing position may be right for you
Top reasons to work at camp this summer Provided by the American Camp Association From the American Camp Association:
CONTACT INFO
1536 Sonlight Place
PO Box 536 (USPS)
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
Be With kids. Show Them God.
