Summer Discovery Education Internship Details and Applying

 

About Our Organization: ECSS: Sweetbriar Nature Center is a private not-for-profit, 501c3, a corporation that exists to provide natural science education services for Long Island residents of all ages and to engage in native wildlife rehabilitation services. Sweetbriar Nature Center has 54 acres of varied garden, woodland, field, and wetland habitats on the Nissequogue River. Hundreds of species of plants and animals make homes here. Our grounds are open to the public year-round. Our center cares for and rehabilitates over 2,000 sick, orphaned, and injured wild animals yearly. Sweetbriar is also home to over 100 non-releasable and domestic animals. We provide hundreds of environmental and natural science programs to schools, libraries, and other organizations throughout the year. Through education and examples, ECSS encourages responsible decision-making, appreciation, and respect for the unique wildlife and ecosystems found on Long Island.

Internship Description: Sweetbriar Nature Center is seeking an outgoing, enthusiastic, and organized intern to support and learn from our natural science and environmental education programs for children of all ages. During the internship, you will primarily assist with our Summer Discovery programs, while also helping the program coordinator and senior educator with their daily tasks. Responsibilities include teaching nature lessons, leading programs, and guiding activities such as games, hikes, and crafts. The Summer Discovery program runs nine one-week sessions from June through August and serves children ages 4–16, depending on the program. You will also help with various aspects of the summer program, including setting up and breaking down activities, supervising children, and assisting in planning lessons and activities with appropriate guidance. This internship is eligible for academic or course credit if approved by your educational institution. You also may be eligible to receive a stipend at the end of your internship.

Qualifications:

  • Must be interested in Natural Sciences, Education (Environmental/Science/Childhood), or Animal related fields

  • Enthusiasm and curiosity about the natural world

  • Experience and must enjoy working with children

  • Positive attitude

  • Ability to work efficiently and independently as well as in a group

  • Your own transportation

Hours:

  • 30-40 hours per week

  • Must have availability between 8:00 am- 4:00pm weekdays Monday-Friday.

Sweetbriar is a 501c3 not-for-profit. We strive to be inclusive and welcome everyone to our nature center. During your time here, you will have the opportunity to network, meet, and learn about many other individuals and organizations in the environmental and wildlife fields.

To Apply: Scroll to the bottom of this page for the form

Please read through everything on this page before applying

Additional questions- Please email Brit’tanyann Jaycox at bjaycox@sweetbriarnc.org

Typical day as a Summer Discovery Education intern:

You will have training on how to do all of the following. You will be trained and will work with the lead educator but will also work independently with some projects. Each week you will assist the lead educator create an itinerary for the summer discovery weeks program based on age and theme.

8:00a-8:50a- Gather all materials for the day’s activities, crafts, and lessons. Work with our counselors to prep for the day before the children arrive.

9:00a-2:50p- Once the children arrive you will check them in and take on a leadership role while assisting lead educator in running the days games, hikes, crafts, and activities. Each game, hike, craft, and activity will be planned around that week’s theme and age range.

3:00p-4:00p- Once the children get signed out you will work with the other counselors to clean-up from day’s activities and prep for next day. This is the time you will work on planning the itineraries and lessons for the next week.

Things you will get out of this internship:

  • Learn how to be an effective educator and leader

  • Build confidence when working with peers

  • Public speaking

  • Will get more experience working with a variety of ages

  • Learning how to have fun and be engaging with children