Trip Leader
Every summer we hire for our most important job: Trip Leader.
Our leaders are vital to the integrity and safety of our trips. Their responsibilities are diverse: instructors, leaders, facilitators, friends, fellow participants, and role models to our students. This exceptional group of people is at the center of what Moondance has done every summer for the past 30 years. As a Trip Leader, you will be pushed to communicate, problem-solve, and be decisive, all while empowering those around you to do the same. Each and every one of our leaders recognizes the invaluable experience a Moondance summer provides.
What you do as a Moondance leader matters. It’s as simple as that.
What is Moondance?
- With 31 unique programs, we run over 160 trips, operating in 9 states and 20 countries (across 5 different continents!)
- Domestic: From Colorado to Wyoming, California, Alaska, Oregon, Washington, and all the way to Hawaii, our Domestic trips have been consistently adored by students and leaders alike since 1996.
- International: Moondance has increasingly grown in our number of incredible international destinations. Spanning from Thailand to Europe, to British Columbia, Fiji, Africa, South America, and more, we love exploring the uncharted and the wild.
- Our trips are typically co-ed with at least one male leader and one female leader. We cap our group size at 12-14 participants and aim for a 50/50 ratio of guys to girls.
- Trip leaders are placed on a trip with 1-2 co-leaders for the entire summer. For 14 to 17-day trips, leader teams operate 3 sessions with 2-3 days off in between. For 21-23 day trips, leader teams operate 2 sessions with 2-3 days off in between.
Want to learn more? Head over to our Summer Jobs page on our website to hear from previous leaders!
Trip Leader Qualifications:
- A strong desire to work with teenagers
- Minimum 21 years old (avg. age 23)
- Moondance alumni who are 20 by June 7th, 2026, can apply to be a third leader for British Columbia, Colorado Trail, California, Canyonlands, and Maui
- College graduate or college student
- Current WFA or WFR certification*
- Current CPR certification*
- Valid driver’s license
- Excellent driving record
- The ability to lift and carry at least 50 pounds
- Available for our 12-day Staff Training in mid-May through Debrief in early August
- Tetanus immunization within the last 10 years
*Valid through August 3rd; not required at time of application
Ready for your next adventure? Apply today!