Summer Volunteer Opportunities

Our summer volunteer opportunities are ideal for Middle and High School students but are open to anyone to get involved, build a resume, gain confidence and valuable skills, and have an amazing summer. If you are a college student looking for an internship, please click here.

Please apply by Friday, May 1st to ensure spot and a t-shirt.
You may still apply AFTER May 1st but may not be guaranteed a t-shirt.

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Junior Counselor Intern (JCI)

Our JCIs are a key part of how we can have so many campers. They assist our summer camp educators by interacting with campers, assisting camp instructors, and being a remodel to our campers.

Details:

Shifts occur Monday-Friday 8:45am-12:30pm and/or 12:30-4:15pm. Please commit to at least 1 week of summer camps (half day shifts)
Mandatory training on Saturday, May 2nd, 9am-12pm. Please contact the volunteer coordinator if you cannot attend this training.
Willingness to work with K-5 children, ability to play and supervise campers inside and outside and hike a mile on our flat trails
Tasks may include cleaning, engaging with children , supervising children, assisting children with projects/crafts, and more!

Gardening Cultivation Intern (GCI)

GCIs will help maintain their OWN garden bed through our Adopt-a-Bed program at The Whiteside Garden by weeding, planting, and watering, but also assist with more unique aspects of running a garden, such as plant identification tags and environmental sustainability.

GCIs at Douglas-Hart Nature Center's 'Gathering Garden' will help care for fruits and vegetables by watering, pulling weeds, and pest ID. They may also help use garden vegetables to prepare snacks for summer camps.

GCIs at Friendship Garden will help maintain their OWN garden bed through our Adopt-a-Bed program at Friendship Garden. As well as watering annual flower containers, picking up trash, and pulling weeds.

Requirements:

Shifts will occur Monday-Wednesday 9am-12pm at Whiteside Garden, Thursdays 9am-12pm at DHNC and 1pm-3pm at Friendship Garden. Please commit to at least one day a week.
Mandatory training date TBD.
Willingness to work outside
Tasks include weeding, planting, plant labeling, watering, and more.
Ability to traverse over rough terrain, bend, and dig.

Conservation Crew Intern (CCI)

The CCI team works with the Douglas-Hart Conservation team to continue improving the diverse habitats at the nature center through active conservation management practices.

Details:

Shifts occur Monday-Thursday 9am-12pm. Please commit to at least one day a week, and at least three hours a day.
Mandatory training on Wednesday, June 3rd, 9am-12pm.
Willingness to work outside and hike up to a mile on our flat trails
Tasks may include pulling invasive plants, working in the prairie, spreading mulch, chipping brush, water, and more!

Leadership Clerical Intern (LCI)

LCIs will assist working the front desk at either the Douglas-Hart Nature Center or The Whiteside Garden, as well as working on special projects such as program preparation. These volunteers gain valuable leadership and soft skill experience in customer service, communications, problem-solving, project management, organization, and more.

Requirements:

Shifts occur Monday-Friday 8:45 am-12:30pm and/or 12:30pm-4:15pm
No minimum shift requirements. Shifts will be selected during training with flexibility to change throughout the summer.
Mandatory training date TBD
Ability to engage with the public and complete tasks in a timely manner.

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Internship Brochure (.pdf)

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