Summer Internship
Summer interns make a four and a half month commitment (May 15th – September 30), working primarily with the Wilderness Program. Interns start the program by stepping into the role of participants in a mock course, giving them firsthand experience and a participant’s point of view. This course gives them time to get to know one another and become familiar with some of the activities that are offered at the BOEC. Following the mock course, interns take part in three weeks of immersive training. During this time, interns develop a strong grasp of their role at the BOEC while refining the hard and soft skills necessary for success.
During the summer, interns join staff on the Wilderness Programs. Responsibilities on these programs include but are not limited to planning, implementing, facilitating, and evaluating courses. Courses can range from one-day programs to fourteen-day overnight trips. Depending on the program, courses may be conducted at our Breckenridge wilderness site or out in the field on camping, canoeing, or rafting adventures. Participants on these programs include people of all ages and abilities. Interns may be on courses with participants who have a wide range of abilities and diagnoses. Interns are involved with course delivery from beginning to end; they play a role in meal planning and prepping, pulling necessary gear and equipment, facilitating activities such as the ropes course, canoeing, hiking, climbing, and cycling, as well as post-course clean up, and evaluations at the end of courses.
Interns’ responsibilities are tailored to their abilities and growth throughout the season. This summer program offers hands-on experience in outdoor education, therapeutic recreation, and supporting individuals with disabilities, along with the chance to embrace the outdoor opportunities of a Colorado summer.
The application deadline for the Summer internship is March 30th. The application will close sooner if the spots are filled before then. It is advisable to submit your application as early as possible!
“The BOEC is a magical place. SO many amazing things happen here that changes peoples lives. You will experience unmatched amounts of determination, inspiration, encouragement, support and personality.”
“The BOEC has changed my perspective on life. Working with the participants this summer fulfilled something that was missing from my life. It gave me a rewarding experience that I will cherish for the rest of my existence. Being around people that are so willing to open up and let themselves be vulnerable struck a cord with me.”
“The best part of my internship – and continues to be my favorite part of the BOEC – is experiencing the magic that occurs here, the ability to witness and take part in life changing experiences for others.”
“This experience has been more incredible than I ever imagined. Every day I came away with a story and a different sense of growth and accomplishment within myself. I’ve learned to deal with and to reach a much diversified population. I’ve learned ways to approach and to create a sense of accomplishment within adults and children. I’ve learned to work with corporate groups, troubled teenagers, and with people that have gone through extremely traumatic experiences. The internship has stretched me in unimaginable ways, in all honesty and sincerity, it has changed my life.”
“What would I tell an incoming intern? If you think you know yourself, you’re wrong. Expect how you think about people to change. Expect your whole outlook on life to change. Expect all your priorities and life’s goals to change. Expect to love people more than you ever thought you could. Expect to do things you never thought you’d see yourself doing. Expect to have the most inspiring and educational four months of your life. Expect to be homesick and expect not wanting to leave when the time comes. Expect the last week of your internship to include a lump in your throat and your heart in your stomach. Expect to ask yourself at the end, ‘How will I ever top this?’”Your Content Goes Here
“Through the experience that I had at the BOEC I feel that my path in life has been altered. Working at the BOEC exposed me to so many different types of activities and people. Never before the BOEC did I feel that I would enjoy working with special populations, but now my views are just the opposite. This summer I was shown just how much people with special needs appreciate and need the services that the BOEC provides.”
“I assisted a student with a brain injury climb the wall for 45 minutes. I was sweating, tired and shaking, but when he rang the bell at the top and yelled, my world changed forever.”
The BOEC is grateful to The Moniker Foundation for underwriting our Internship Program which allows us to continue to offer this world class training and leadership program. With their gracious donations they are helping the program thrive and develop future outdoor leaders.
