Employment

Trips Leaders (TLs) start their time in the position with an extensive Trip Leader Training Program consisting of 8 x ninety-minute classroom trainings and one x 8-9 day backpacking trip. No experience is required for this training; you’ll be taught all that you need to know to be a Trip Leader. After completing Trip Leader training, TL’s lead co-curricular and academic outdoor trips for other students and members of the Gonzaga Community. These trips include hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, biking, backpacking, car camping, snow tubing, ice skating, kayaking, climbing, and rafting trips (all dependent on experience and training). Trip Leaders meet every two weeks, attend briefings before their trips, and debriefs after their trips, and will attend a variety of trainings throughout the year.

The Volunteer Trip Leader position at Gonzaga Outdoors comes with some awesome benefits, including...

• Professional development and training
• Wilderness First Aid certification at no cost to TLs
• Financial support to pursue higher training & certifications
• Annual TL gift (gear or apparel piece valued at approx. $100)
• TLs attend the trips they lead for free
• Pro-deals (discounts) for a wide variety of outdoor retailers
• Free personal gear rentals from Gonzaga Outdoors

These are the traits that we expect all Trip Leaders (TLs) to exhibit during their time with Gonzaga Outdoors. No matter your depth of experience leading in the outdoors or outdoor recreation skillsets, all students are welcome & encouraged to apply!

• Understanding and demonstrated commitment to the GU Outdoors mission & values
• Passion & desire to lead in the outdoors, with a focus on participant experience, celebration of various experience levels, and emphasis on providing an inclusive and safe environment
• Initiative and desire to promote a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment for participants, fellow Trip Leaders, and staff
• Timely, effective, and professional communication skills
• Commitment to outdoor ethics, sustainability, and/or outdoor education
• Expressed interest in developing and deepening a set of outdoor skills
• Experience planning and executing programs & activities, professionally or personally
• Demonstrated leadership in decision making, judgement, and responsibility

 

New Trip Leaders (Spring 2026) 

• Attend all new Trainings 
• 8 x 90-minute sessions one evening per week, starting after Spring Break, the semester they are selected 
• new trip leader backpacking training (up to 8 days) 
• Get your WFA and CPR certification (full weekend commitment) 
• Returning TLs: 
• Keep your WFA and CPR certifications up to date (a recertification is a full weekend commitment) 
• Attend and participate in 5 TL meetings a semester (1.5 - 2 hours long) 
• Attend and participate in two trainings a semester 
• GOOB and GOOB training (required in the fall) 
• Winter training (required in the spring) 
• Pick one of the other offered trainings during the semester to complete the required two trainings a semester (full day commitment) 
• Lead 2-3 trips a semester 
• Including attending briefs and debriefs, writing participant emails and quick descriptions and hosting necessary gear checks and pre-trip 
• Highly Encouraged: 
• Assist with other Gonzaga Outdoors programs/community events throughout the semester such as: 
• Help with leading IOL trips 
• Host/help host a community dinners 
• Help with adventure week 
• Attend the rest of the trainings offered throughout the semester outside of two you are required to go to 
• Help with alumni events (think Zagapalooza fun run) 
• Propose new adventures/programs/events