The USARC values its opportunity to provide interns with a unique opportunity to learn about many different special populations (from the ages of 5 to 75), and thus help the intern choose a career direction in Therapeutic Recreation.
INTERNSHIP FAQS
To be considered for an internship at the USARC, please:
- Submit a personal resumé or curriculum vitae with a cover letter.
- Submit a completed and signed Internship Application form.
- Submit a completed University Supervisor Agreement form signed by the faculty supervisor.
- Submit a copy of your current C.P.R. and First Aid Certification (must be current at the time of the internship.)
- Submit a copy of your current health insurance card and maintain health insurance throughout the duration of the internship.
Please combine all items into one file attachment an email to mail@usarc.org.
Winter interns are provided with a season pass, enabling them to purchase meals in the cafeteria at half price and ski free during the duration of the internship.
There is at least one $1,000 stipend available per semester for interns. To be eligible for a stipend, the selected intern must return his/her completed internship application forms, be concurrently enrolled in the appropriate internship course at an accredited university, and able to complete a minimum of 500 hours during the course of the internship.
Other interested students are welcome to volunteer without pay (to fulfill university fieldwork or community service requirements) since the USARC is highly volunteer supported.
The intern will facilitate people with many different types of disabilities learning to snow ski, snowboard, or snowshoe during the winter, and water ski, kayak, fish, sail, and camp during the summer. Aside from teaching, the intern will also have the opportunity to be involved with program planning, meetings, volunteer coordination, and supervision.
In addition to the intern’s primary duties (as a de-facto staff member) of assessing, teaching and documenting adaptive recreation activities for USARC clientele, the intern’s assignments will include (as appropriate):
- Provide written goals for the internship.
- Maintain a journal with a daily brief paragraph of the clients taught, experiential observations, relevance to NCTRC standards, and notes needing discussion or clarification at respective meetings with the intern coordinator.
- Based on the journal, attend weekly (or bi-weekly) meetings with the intern coordinator.
- Attend staff meetings.
- Conduct an in-service presentation to staff.
- Assist in the coordination of special events such as our Ski-A-Thon or Peak to Peak Pedal.
- Assist in the coordination of the Volunteer Recognition Party.
- Write articles for the USARC blog and newsletter, The Spirit.
- Choose one project from the following:
- Design or modify a piece of adaptive equipment.
- Prepare and present a case study of a USARC client.
- Undertake a Level One P.S.I.A. adaptive instructor exam (Winter Only).
- Other approved projects meeting the needs of the program.
