This internship will be part of a three-person team to facilitate and lead field trips, lessons, games, hikes, art and song and to provide an adventurous and creative week of hands-on learning for campers in this non-residential day camp.  Interns will work directly under a FWS Camp Director and Environmental Education Coordinator and will utilize and enhance existing curriculum on the 2018 theme: Water, water everywhere!

What is Salmon Camp?  Salmon Camp is a non-residential science camp that runs from June through early August. Each week a different group of children participate in camp.  Ages range over the course of the summer from kindergarten through 8th grade. Interns will be the instructors for camp working under the direction of a Camp Director.

Dates and Duration:

16 week volunteer environmental education internship (travel and housing provided, food costs reimbursed up to $150/week)

Work Period:

 May 7th - August 24th (some flexibility on end date)

Schedule:

40 hours a week: Monday-Friday with occasional weekend work

What we provide:

• Roundtrip flight to and from Kodiak Island from locations within the U.S.
• Shared housing in furnished home.
• Food costs reimbursed: up to $150 per week.
• Vehicle transportation: The three-person Salmon Camp crew will have access to two vehicles to share and utilize for work, orientation to the island and food shopping.
• Training:  The FWS will provide two weeks of training on a variety of topics including:  Bear safety and awareness; flora and fauna of Kodiak; environmental education techniques; Pacific salmon; aviation safety including emergency water egress; CPR, First Aid and more. In addition to training, interns will have two weeks of camp preparation before camp begins.
• If desired, interns will be provided with a fishing license to practice fishing techniques outside of camp (we do take children fishing as a small portion of camp).
• School internship and/or course credit upon request: We can work with university degree programs.
• Long summer evenings and weekends free for recreational opportunities including: hiking, camping, fishing, scenic bike rides, wildflower walks, birding and much more.  Some bikes, fishing supplies and camping gear are available for loan to interns.

Location: Kodiak Island is the second largest island in the United States.  While the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge encompasses nearly two million acres of the island, the refuge itself is not accessible by road. Refuge offices, intern housing and Salmon Camp is located on the road system just outside the city limits of Kodiak. 

Requirements:

• U.S. citizen, at least 18 years of age
• Ability to undergo a background check
• Valid U.S. driver’s license
• Interest in working with youth and in spending time outside rain or shine
• Available for seasonal training beginning May 7th (preferably arriving by May 6th) and for all sessions of camp.  End date of August 24th has some flexibility.

Desired background: Degree-seeking students and/or graduates in the fields of environmental studies, environmental education, biology, wildlife conservation, outdoor recreation and similar fields and/or experience with or interest in youth science camps, summer camps, educating youth, scouts, or other related work.

Please note: This is a 40 hour/week, summer-long environmental education internship on an island. If you're looking to spend a summer season on a beautiful Alaskan island dedicated to providing engaging science education to interested young learners, then by all means apply!

Find out more:

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge website: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/kodiak/

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge facebook:https://www.facebook.com/kodiakrefuge/