About the Internships
Appalachian Headwaters’ Summer Internship Program for College Students is a 7-week interdisciplinary program focused on natural resources science, habitat restoration work and youth outdoor education. This is a paid internship program based at Headwaters Park (334 Richland Ln, Lewisburg) in Greenbrier County, WV.
Schedule
- Mon, July 1 – Fri, August 16
- Weekdays, 40 hrs/week onsite, with some outside reading
Weekly schedule set by supervisor
Online application: https://forms.office.com/r/pN8hpvRHy5
* Application deadline is Monday, April 1 at 5 PM EST. All applications will be processed on a rolling basis. *
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
- 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 will also gain valuable work experience, strong recommendation letters, and practical skills. Interns will work with other interns/apprentices on a daily basis, supervised and mentored by a PhD ecology and experienced Headwaters staff. This internship will help students build a solid resume in the biological and environmental sciences, outdoor education and related fields.
Key Activities
- Youth education programming and supervision at a new, innovative day camp
- Nursery work
- Wildlife habitat restoration and improvement projects
- Pollinator and other wildlife surveys
- 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 onsite 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 followup 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 – nursery program manager
Joe Lovett – executive director
About Us
Appalachian Headwaters is a nonprofit education, habitat restoration and community development organization based in Lewisburg, West Virginia, and serving the broader region of southern West Virginia and Southwest Virginia. Programs of Appalachian Headwaters include an environmental education program, Camp Waldo (summer and day camp), the Appalachian Beekeeping Collective, and the Appalachian Pollinator and Education Center. Learn more at www.appheadwaters.org.
Questions? Contact kjohnson@appheadwaters.org.