Hiking Jobs at Overnight Camps
Hiking jobs at summer camps are a dream for trail lovers and outdoor educators who want to spend their summer leading campers through forests, mountains, and meadows. From day hikes at traditional sleepaway camps to multi-day point-to-point trips at specialty wilderness residential camps, hiking staff guide some of the most formative outdoor experiences of any camper’s summer. If you love long miles, big views, and watching kids discover the magic of moving through nature, this is a perfect role.
As a hiking instructor at an overnight camp, you’ll plan routes, lead day and overnight trips, teach trail skills like map reading and Leave No Trace, and manage group safety in the backcountry. You’ll work closely with backpacking, adventure, and nature staff on broader outdoor programming. Many co-ed residential camps run hiking as part of an integrated adventure department, giving instructors variety between in-camp teaching and offsite trips across the summer.
What does a hiking instructor at summer camp do?You’ll plan routes, lead day and overnight hikes, teach trail skills, and manage group safety. Most sleepaway camps with hiking programs include daily and multi-day trips throughout the summer camp season.
What certifications do hiking instructors need at sleepaway camps?Wilderness First Aid (WFA) is the typical baseline; Wilderness First Responder (WFR) is preferred for trip-leading roles. Leave No Trace Trainer credentials are highly valued at residential camps with strong outdoor programs.
Do hiking instructors lead overnight trips?Often yes. Many overnight camps with hiking programs run frequent overnights, while specialty wilderness residential camps offer multi-day backpacking trips as a core part of the summer camp experience.
What does the pay look like for hiking jobs at summer camps?Pay is competitive and commensurate with experience and certifications. Sleepaway camps include room, board, and laundry alongside salary, and many provide gear stipends — which adds real value beyond the base summer camp pay.
Do I need my own hiking gear for the job?Camps typically provide group gear like tents, stoves, and water filters. You’re usually expected to bring personal items — boots, daypack, sleeping bag, rain gear. Many residential camps offer pro deals or gear stipends to support staff.
Browse Summer Camp Hiking Jobs for 2026
| Salary | Job Type | Setting |
|---|
| USD Starts at $2300/summer | Full-Time Seasonal | Overnight Camp |
Start Date: June 1, 2026
End Date: August 31, 2026
Come spend your summer on beautiful Lake Ashmere in The Berkshires!Camp Danbee is currently hiring outdoor adventure and ropes instructors to spend their summer instructing our campers in Climbing Wall, High Ropes, Low Ropes, Outdoor Adventure and more. You will specialize in this activity, so you must have extensive knowledge of the area, however you work as a team! We’re looking for passionate, skilled individuals to be great roles models for our campers!
The Role:
You will serve a dual role as a counselor at Camp Danbee. Those roles include being cabin counselor and program instructor. As a cabin counselor, you and one to three other co-counselors will live in a cabin with 10-12 campers, whom you will supervise for the summer. As a program instructor, you will help prepare and lead instructional lessons in your dedicated program area.
Male instructors do not live in cabins with campers, and will have additional duties outside of program instructional time – you’re a valuable part of the camp family!
Working at camp is an opportunity to develop skills that can be used in a career outside of camp. You will enhance your leadership, collaboration, problem-solving, and communication skills. Camp Danbee has a large leadership team to learn from, from multiple college Head Coaches to experienced professionals across the education, outdoor recreation, and sports industries.
We will work with your college/university to earn paid internship credits.
The Perks:
- Salary starts at $2300 for a Freshman in college and increases from there
- Travel allowance in addition to salary
- Room, board, and staff t-shirts
- Internship credit*
- Experience The Berkshires, meet people from all over the US and the world, and have the summer of a lifetime!
*Some educational institutions require prior approval before the start of an internship. It is the responsibility of the student to check with their institution to be sure they meet any requirements before they accept a position
Camp Mah-Kee-Nac is hiring for summer ! Much More Than Just Another Summer Job…Camp Mah-Kee-Nac offers an unforgettable summer job experience in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, just a few hours from both Boston and New York City. Staff live and work in a stunning lakeside setting, surrounded by natural beauty and a close-knit camp…
