Internship Goals
- gain hands-on experience in field-based science, community science, and habitat restoration work focused on plants, pollinators, and other wildlife;
- create and implement innovative programming at a new nature-centered day camp serving local youth;
- gain knowledge, skills, and perspectives from working with a diverse team, including field experts, high school apprentices and community members;
- develop close reading and writing skills in environmental literature; and
- observe, examine, and communicate connections between climate change and environmental processes.
Through their work at Appalachian Headwaters, interns will not only contribute to our programs, but also will also gain valuable work experience, strong recommendation letters, and practical skills. Interns will work with other interns and high school apprentices on a daily basis, supervised and mentored by a scientists and experienced Headwaters staff. This internship will help students build a solid resume in the biological and environmental sciences, outdoor education, and related fields.
Activities
- Youth education programming and supervision at a new, innovative day camp;
- Plant nursery work;
- Wildlife habitat restoration and improvement projects;
- Community science projects;
- Pollinator and other wildlife surveys; and
- Regular reading and one writing assignment.
All internship activities are field-based, weather-dependent, and involve regular physical activity outdoors. Interns will establish individual goals with their project supervisor and will participate in weekly evaluations and a final evaluation. Interns may have the opportunity to define an independent project to complete during the internship period.
Compensation
Students in the program will earn a $2,800 stipend for their participation in the program. This stipend will be paid in monthly installments, with the final payment upon successful completion of the internship.
Housing is provided at no cost – including shared kitchen and laundry facilities. Rooms are single occupancy.
Headwaters Park is located 6 miles from the nearest town (Lewisburg). Interns are responsible for their own transportation outside of internship activities.
Selection Criteria
- Application information, interview and follow-up materials;
- Availability for the full internship;
- Recommendations – at least two from non-family adult contacts;
- Provisional preference will be given to interns able to work at Camp Waldo prior to the internship (11 weeks of summer employment total). Camp Waldo is a multi-week overnight camp run by Headwaters (June 3 – June 29). Compensation for the internship is additional to Camp Waldo counselor pay. Food and lodging are provided. More information is available at www.campwaldo.org.
Summer Internship Program Team
- Kevin Johnson – Education Director
- Erica Marks – Waldo Day camp director
- Merri Collins, PhD in environmental science – Headwaters’ Summer Fellow
- Bella Walker – Native Plant Program Director
- Joe Lovett – Executive Director
