Summer Program Internship

2026 Summer Program Internship 

position description

Background:

Eagle Eye Institute is a non-profit organization, based in Western Massachusetts, that offers nature-based outdoor experiences to youth who have historical and current barriers to nature access. Our purpose is to provide learning opportunities for youth to experience well-being, belonging and empowerment through a relationship with nature.  Eagle Eye’s programs are designed to raise environmental awareness, develop responsibility, and cultivate leadership amongst the next generation.

Position Summary:

The Summer Program Intern is part of our Summer Program Team, and will play a key role in coordinating our Learn About Forests™(LAF) program with groups of youth and young adults.  Our proven LAF program intentionally integrates nature with inclusive youth development, to provide opportunities for first-time nature experiences and connections with supportive mentors. 

Responsibilities:

Lead or assist with coordinating all aspects of the LAF program, including: 

• Communicating with program partners to schedule and be prepared for program days, including a pre-program site visit to the partner organization
• Recruiting, scheduling, preparing and thanking volunteer instructors
• Ensuring that all supplies and logistics are prepared for LAF days
• Leading specific components of LAF programs, such as games and stewardship safety talks
• Setting up Lunch on program days (Eagle Eye provides lunch to all staff & students on LAF days)
• Administering program evaluation at the end of each program day
• Post-program clean-up of outdoor kitchen and meeting space(s)
• Taking pictures and creating narrative summaries of each program day for social media, marketing, grants, etc.
• Completing a self-directed program project with staff support

Skills Developed:

Through this position, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with a range of highly-skilled people, representing a variety of disciplines.  You’ll also have the opportunity to develop skills, such as: community outreach and engagement, program planning, program coordination, communication, group facilitation/management, youth development, experiential/outdoor education, nonprofit management, nature awareness, mindfulness and teamwork.

Location:

The internship will take place at multiple locations; this includes MountainStar Forest in Peru, MA, as well as sites in/around our service communities of Holyoke and Springfield, MA. Mileage reimbursements are provided for those with their own transportation. For those without transportation, we offer carpooling as an option.

Schedule:

• 32-40 hours per week, seasonal hourly position
• Start: Monday, June 15th / End: Friday, August 14th (excluding July 3-4)
• Daily Schedule: approximately 8am to 4pm (exact schedule depends on programming, and may be earlier or later on specific days; weekly hours not to exceed 40)
• Mandatory On-Site Orientation: Week of June 15th (excluding June 19th)
• OPTIONAL BUT ENCOURAGED Eagle Eye staff/board/family Weekend Retreat: July 18th-19th (this is not paid time)

Note that there may be opportunities to continue part time in fall 2026 depending on performance, availability, and organizational need.

Compensation: $20/hour

Qualifications:

• Young adults, age 18+
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Comfort with expressing needs and advocating for self
• Able to work in changing conditions:  for example –  weather and scheduling
• Youth development and mentoring experience
• Lived experience relating to the communities we engage with
• Interest in youth and community work, as well as environmental advocacy
• Comfort with google docs and social media platforms
• Openness to a sustainable lifestyle, including a plant-based diet*

*Note that MountainStar Forest, our main program site,  is a 100% plant-based site, all food brought in must be plant-based.

Eagle Eye Institute is an equal opportunity employer.  Employment decisions are made without discrimination to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.  Eagle Eye is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our hiring and employment practices.  We encourage applicants who are underrepresented in the outdoors, based on race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, ability, age, gender identity or sexual orientation, to apply.