YMCA & NPS Outdoor Education Internship

POSITION SUMMARY: 
This position supports the YMCA and National Park Service’s innovative, Youth Outdoors Initiative, a program that engages thousands of underserved youth in 16 cities across the country in outdoor recreation, conservation and service-learning experiences at their nearby national parks and in their respective communities throughout the summer and fall months. 

The YMCA of the North is seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual to provide program and curriculum planning support, partner and activity coordination, and direct youth engagement for the Minneapolis-based Y-NPS Youth Outdoors Initiative. This position will be hosted at the YMCA but the intern will work closely and often with the National Park Service from the Mississippi National River & Recreation Area. 

At the start of service, the intern will aid in both virtual and in-person outdoor engagement curriculum development, NPS (National Park Service) and conservation partner coordination and planning for the youth day camp program. During the period when youth attend camp, the intern will provide coordination across activities, lead programming with youth in the outdoors, including but not limited to environmental stewardship education, STEM activities, outdoor play activities, cultural and historical learning, and service-learning activities within the park and the local community, among others. The intern will coordinate outings to the NPS and coordinate with the NPS rangers to plan youth outdoor engagement and cultural and historical learning activities. At the end of service, the intern will support close out of the summer program, evaluation of the program, and prepare materials for the 2024 Y-NPS Youth Outdoors Initiative harvest session with all sites. 

PROGRAM DETAILS:  

  • The position will be hosted by the YMCA of the North and serve as the primary liaison between the Y and the National Park Service. This is intended to be a position that works closely with both the Y and NPS. 

  • 16-week position, 640-hours total 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

  • Develops both in-person and virtual, innovative curriculum and program plans, coordinates with partners, and helps the YMCA and NPS prepare for the Minneapolis-based Y-NPS Youth Outdoors Initiative 2024 program. 

  • Plans and implements program activities during the summer months that are culturally-relevant, developmentally-appropriate, grounded in equity and empathy, and consistent with YMCA and NPS values. 

  • Coordinates groups of children in both virtual and in-person outdoors youth engagement activities. 

  • Provides administration and coordination services to support the day-to-day operations and close-out of the Y-NPS Youth Outdoors Initiative. 

  • Adheres to program standards including safety and cleanliness standards. 

  • Attends staff meetings and completes required YMCA and NPS trainings, including abuse risk management and diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

  • Follows YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, reporting, and emergencies. 

  • Maintains a supportive, positive atmosphere that welcomes and respects all individuals, promotes the potential of all youth, and provides a quality experience to both youth and their families. 

  • Provides a quality experience to children and parents focused on YMCA core values: honesty, respect, responsibility, and caring. 

  • Performs other duties as assigned. 

PROGRAM DATES: June 10, 2024 - September 29, 2024

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • High school diploma or equivalent; one year or more of college preferred. 

  • Valid Driver’s License with clean driving record (must be 21 to drive camp vehicles). 

  • Ability to be physically active for long periods of time. 

  • Prior experience coordinating projects with strong attention to detail. 

  • Ability to plan, lead, and participate in program activities in a variety of indoor and/or outdoor settings. 

  • Passion for the outdoors and positively impacting youth in summer camp settings. 

  • Prior experience working with children in a camp setting preferred. 

  • Prior experience engaging youth in a diversity of program activities in both virtual and in-person settings. 

  • Background and/or interest in youth environmental/outdoor education, STEM, camping/outdoor recreation. 

  • Prior experience working with diverse populations. 

  • Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds. 

  • CPR, First Aid, and AED certifications (will certify upon hire if needed).

BENEFITS: 

  • $600 / week living allowance (pre-taxes) 

  • $1,000 / month housing allowance (pre-taxes) 

  • $1,100 one-time travel allowance (personal vehicle is required) (pre-taxes) 

  • YMCA and NPS trainings provided 

  • Public Land Corps hiring authority certificate issued upon completion of 640 hours. 

Interviews will be conducted, and positions will be offered on a rolling basis starting in early April.  

*All allowances subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.* 
*For SCA's COVID-19 guidance, please refer to www.thesca.org/covid

OUR CULTURE:  
Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: more than anything else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you. 

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