Intern With Us

Step Into Adventure, Grow as a Leader, and Discover Your Calling in Christ

Why Intern With Into the Wilderness

Serve on the Front Lines of Wilderness Ministry

Every intern becomes an essential part of the ITW mission. You help create the very spaces where youth, families, and leaders disconnect from distraction, encounter God, and step into deeper identity. You’re not just supporting a program—you’re shaping lives.

Develop Leadership Skills That Last a Lifetime

Wilderness ministry develops leaders quickly. You will face moments that require courage, clear thinking, teamwork, and character. Interns walk away with maturity, resilience, confidence, and leadership experience that translates to every area of life and ministry.

Grow Spiritually Through Challenge, Community, and Mentorship

Spiritual depth doesn’t form in comfort. It forms in challenge, honesty, and intentional discipleship.

Interns grow through:

Daily ministry rhythms
Mentorship from ITW staff
Honest conversations
A tight-knit community
Experiences that stretch and strengthen their faith

This is discipleship lived out under open skies.

Instructor Internship Pathway

A Calling to Lead Through Challenge and Compassion

Guides are the heartbeat of ITW. They disciple students, teach outdoor skills, and model Christlike servant leadership on every trip. A guide internship is ideal for young adults who love the outdoors, enjoy mentoring others, and want to lead transformational adventures.

Guide Qualifications

To serve as a guide, interns must:

Be proficient in rock climbing, backpacking, or mountaineering
Be at least 18 years old
Successfully complete ITW’s ReTRAIN course
Hold Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certifications
Carry personal medical insurance throughout the summer
Embrace a willingness to raise their own financial support

Daily Responsibilities and Lifestyle

Guide interns experience real ministry in real wilderness conditions:

5+ consecutive days in the field
12–14 hour workdays during trips
40–80 hour weeks depending on adventure schedules
Limited days off during peak season
Full commitment required for contract dates

This is challenging work—but the growth, camaraderie, and spiritual impact make every moment meaningful.

Other Internship and Staff Pathways

Lead, Support, Create, and Build

Not all interns serve as guides. ITW offers additional roles for those gifted in communication, production, leadership, administration, and logistics.

Possible internship tracks include:

Guide Coordinator (Seasonal)
Alumni Relations Coordinator (Part-Time)
Development Manager (Full-Time)
Maintenance Coordinator (Part-Time, Seasonal)
Marketing Director (Part-Time)
Media Development Intern (Part-Time)
Food Manager and Cook (Part-Time)

Each role supports the greater mission of equipping, transforming, and sending.

What We Look For

ITW interns and staff share common qualities:

A growing and intimate relationship with Jesus
A desire to disciple others
Emotional maturity and teachability
Strong personal character
A willingness to serve under pressure and in all conditions
Commitment to spiritual, physical, and relational health

What You Gain as an ITW Intern

Adventure With Purpose

You learn real outdoor skills, lead real people, and experience real transformation. The mountains become your classroom—and the growth is undeniable.

Mentorship That Shapes Your Future

ITW invests deeply in its interns. Through consistent mentorship, guidance, and discipleship, you gain clarity about your calling and direction for your life.

Kingdom Impact That Extends Far Beyond a Season

You are part of a mission that helps people discover who they are in Christ. Every trip you support, every student you encourage, every moment you serve becomes part of someone’s transformation story.

Time Commitment and Support Raising

Summer Dates

Interns typically serve from late May through late August. Partial-summer commitments may be considered depending on program needs.

Housing and Support

ITW works to secure home-stay housing for interns.
Interns are responsible for raising support to cover personal expenses.
Medical certifications must be obtained by the intern before serving.

This model allows interns the freedom to serve without financial barriers.

“Interning with ITW is one of the greatest experiences I could have asked for. Anthony Testa’s dedication to growing intimate with God is evident as his joy overflows into the lives around him. Being in the mountains is awesome, too. God always uses His creation to impact us in ways that lead us closer to Him. I would go back and do it again in a heartbeat.”

“Working as an intern with Into the Wilderness was one of the most transforming, challenging, and exciting experiences of my life. The team is wonderful, and the ministry is not only a blast but is also clearly changing lives. However, the best part was seeing how God showed up in huge ways every single day – in the work of the ministry, to be sure – but especially in my heart as He used the experience to draw me intimately close to Him.”

“My internship with Into the Wilderness was an incredible opportunity to grow deeper in my relationship with Christ through preparing for the trips, guiding others, and adventuring with others through the Italian Alps. I was able to see the ins and outs of how to run a ministry and gained an appreciation for all of the hard work that goes into starting a new ministry. I am a Communication major and I was able to do a Communication internship with ITW and I recieved school credit for having the time of my life in the mountains growing in the Lord with some incredible people!”