Do you like to hike the trails and play in the snow? Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) is recruiting up to three fall and winter interns to assist with snowshoe field trips, weekend hikes, and planning for the National Lakeshore’s 50th anniversary. The internship time periods are mid-October to mid-December and early January to mid-March with the opportunity for extension based on student academic requirement needs.
Interns will gain valuable experience in the fields of environmental education and interpretation. Interns will also be introduced to the policies, procedures, and career paths within the National Park Service (NPS). Internships in the NPS bolster student skills and experience, and are designed to be stepping stones to careers within the agency or similar workforce.
Work includes planning and presenting curriculum-based lessons and activities on topics such as winter ecology, animal adaptations, snow science, and NPS mission and history. Interns will also assist in leading snowshoe hikes for elementary school students and for the general public. Interns will create and post content on the park’s social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Interns will also be assisting with event planning in preparation for Sleeping Bear Dune’s 50th anniversary as a National Lakeshore.
Typical work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday in the fall and Tuesday through Saturday in the winter. Interns receive a stipend of $20 per day, government housing, plus a volunteer uniform. Interns are required to provide their own snow/rain pants and waterproof boots. Snowshoes will be available for the interns to use during educational and interpretive programs. Snowshoeing experience is not necessary; however, the interns must be physically capable of snowshoeing or hiking up to several miles per day, five days a week. Experience working with elementary students is preferred.
Please submit a cover letter, resume, two references, and one letter of recommendation to the park’s Education Technician at e-mail us or mail your application packet to: Attn: Education Technician, 9922 West Front Street, Empire, MI, 49630. Applications received by Sept. 16, 2019, will receive first consideration. For more information about internships at the National Lakeshore, go to https://www.nps.gov/slbe/getinvolved/winter-interpretation-interns.htm.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was selected to receive a 2020 field trip grant from the National Park Foundation (NPF), the official charity of America’s national parks. This grant will allow fourth grade classes the opportunity to explore the National Lakeshore on a snowshoeing adventure for free and learn about winter ecology, snow science, and more in a hands-on, experiential format. This grant is part of the NPF’s Open OutDoors for Kids program. Students go on an off-trail, snowshoeing adventure through a winter wonderland and complete curriculum-based, hands-on activities and games throughout the day. Teachers can prepare their students for the trip and extend learning by completing a pre-visit and post-visit lesson. Rangers and interns may be available to visit classrooms prior to the field trip to present a pre-program activity in November, December, and early January. Field trips are offered Tuesday through Friday, from January to mid-March.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
