Become an Outdoor Adventures Guide
Volunteer student guides facilitate Outdoor Adventures trips and help make the outdoors welcoming, accessible, and fun for the USD community. You don’t need to arrive as an outdoor expert. We’re looking for students who enjoy connecting with others, are willing to learn, and want to help create experiences where everyone feels like they belong.
Guides work as a team to prepare and facilitate trips. This includes welcoming participants and helping them feel prepared, planning itineraries, organizing equipment and meals, managing logistics, and supporting a safe and positive experience in the field. At its heart, guiding is about serving others and helping people feel comfortable trying something new.
Guide Training
Our Guide Training Program combines hands-on outdoor skills with leadership development and community building. New guides learn practical skills such as setting up camp, outdoor cooking, trip planning, using outdoor equipment, managing risk, and responding to changing conditions.
Just as importantly, guides practice welcoming people with different identities, backgrounds, abilities, and levels of outdoor experience; building connection within a group; communicating effectively; and creating an environment where people feel supported and included.
No previous outdoor experience is required. We’ll teach you the technical skills. Bring curiosity, a willingness to learn, and an interest in helping others have meaningful experiences outdoors.
Along the way, you’ll develop leadership skills, gain confidence, spend time outside, and become part of a community of student leaders who care about one another and the people they serve.
Interested in becoming a guide?
Come introduce yourself at Outdoor Adventures or join one of our Wednesday evening guide meetings from 7:00–8:30 p.m. in the Outdoor Adventures office, 2nd Floor Bosley Center (above Bosley Cafe). You’re welcome to attend even if you’re simply curious and want to learn more.
Questions? Email outdooradventures@sandiego.edu and join our mailing list for upcoming meetings, training opportunities, trips, and other ways to get involved.
Ready to take the next step? Review the Guide Program Overview for details about the program and guide expectations, then complete the Guide Application.
Cost should never be the reason someone can't participate. If financial assistance would make Guide Training more accessible, please contact us.
Philosophies
Benefits
Go to amazing places with amazing people
Gain leadership skills & experience
Develop outdoor skills
Develop job & life skills (group management, judgment, etc.)
Retail discounts and pro-deal opportunities
Discounted equipment rentals
Internship credits
Certifications for reduced rates
Guide Training Trips
New Guide Orientation
Date: October 3, 2026
Location: OA Office & Tecolote Canyon
Guide Community JTREE Campout
Date: October 9-11, 2026
Location: Joshua Tree National Park
New Guide Backpacking
Date: October 23-25, 2026
Location: Laguna Mountains
Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA)
Join WMTC to earn your Wilderness Advanced First Aid certification! Learn how to safely handle emergency situations through hands-on practical skill labs, realistic simulations, after incident debriefs, and case study reviews.
Getting your certification gives you more guiding opportunities and responsibilities on trips. Not only is it beneficial to your guiding experience, it also helps you develop personal skills and helps you learn how to act in emergency situations, and address symptoms before they worsen.
WAFA takes place at the end of every Spring Semester. Registration will open in January 2027
Being an OA guide has not only helped me foster a sense of community, but has also built up my self esteem and given me real world applicable skills.