Organization: Eagle Eye Institute, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Peru, MA, empowers urban
people from underserved communities, especially youth of color, to play an active role in caring for our
environment. Eagle Eye partners with youth organizations, schools, universities, environmental agencies, and
others to offer programs that raise environmental awareness, develop responsibility, and cultivate leadership
through stewardship of our natural resources.
Location: The Residential Summer Internship takes place at MountainStar Forest, our 200-acre forest site in
the Berkshires, just 35 miles west of Amherst. The mission of the site is to protect the spirit of the forest and
conserve and enhance its beauty and health by engaging people of all ages and cultural backgrounds in its
stewardship, so that future generations of all life can flourish.
Position Summary: As a Residential Summer Intern, you will live, work, and learn with your peers for six
weeks at our forest site in Peru, MA. Our site is equipped with tent platforms, solar panels, a trail network,
fire circle, outdoor kitchen, and organic vegetable gardens. You will learn hands-on what it takes to steward
our site, developing land management skills, including trail work, forest management and firewood
production, shrub and flower planting, hand weeding, weed-whacking, organic gardening, carpentry, and
building. You will camp and prepare all meals outdoors, living in a low-impact way that utilizes few natural
resources, and work together with a small group of people to insure the wellbeing of the whole community.
Consistent with Eagle Eye’s mission, you will be trained in Eagle Eye’s program model and have the
opportunity to help plan and lead one-day Learn About Forests™ (LAF) programs, hands-on outdoor programs
for youth, and mentor teens in week-long Teen Internships. Our youth programs incorporate hands-on
learning with natural resource professionals, games and community-building activities, and stewardship in
order to foster connection to oneself, others, and nature. Additionally, you will assist in developing
programming for other summer events, including the annual Eagle Eye Family Retreat.
We value the interests, gifts, and skills of our interns. You will have the opportunity to design and complete
an independent project that allows you to pursue your interests while also contributing to the site. We will
offer workshops during the summer that may include Nature Painting, Tree Health, and Stonework.
Past Interns Say:
“I don’t think I really knew all of the skills I would gain here, and I’m grateful that this experience has
completely exceeded any expectations I previously had.” -Allie, 2018 Residential Summer Intern
“It’s not all fun and games! Nothing is and that’s what makes it a learning experience. Definitely a good place
for recent grads trying to figure out their life…Living in the woods and focusing on mindfulness clears the head
and heart. If you put the energy in, you will benefit greatly!” -Sabrina, 2017 Residential Summer Intern
Timeline: The internship will run for six weeks, July 1st-August 9th, 2019. Work days are M-F with weekends
off, except for special programs and events. (We will let you know in advance when these are scheduled.)
Hours are 30-40 per week, depending on projects and programs. Please note that interns must leave site on
the weekends and arrange their own transportation, which is necessary for all to rest and reset during this
intensive residential experience. The opportunity to carpool may be available.
Daily Schedule:
7:00-7:15 AM Morning meditation
7:15-8:00 AM Breakfast and cleanup
8:00 AM-12:00 Land management projects with Site Manager
12:00-1:00 PM Lunch and cleanup, break
1:00-4:00 PM Garden and trail projects, Independent projects
4:00-6:00 PM Free time, journaling, waterfall
6:00-8:00 PM Cook dinner and cleanup
OR on youth program days:
7:00-7:15 AM Morning meditation
7:15-8:00 AM Breakfast and cleanup
8:00-9:00 AM Ready site and walk up
9:00 AM-4:00 PM Learn About Forests™ youth program
4:00-6:00 PM Free time, journaling, waterfall
6:00-8:00 PM Cook dinner and cleanup
Supervision & Evaluation: The Residential Summer Interns will receive direct supervision from the Internship
Coordinator, Program Manager, and Site Manager, and mentorship from the co-founders of Eagle Eye. At the
start of the internship, we will set our expectations with an Intern Assessment, which will be used to evaluate
your growth at the end of six weeks. You will also self-evaluate throughout. With the intent of keeping
communication regular and open, we will conduct group check-ins at the beginning and end of each week.
Compensation: This internship is unpaid. We provide a personal stand-up Eureka tent and plant-based meals
M-F.
Qualifications:
● Current college student or recent graduate.
● Possess their own transportation.
● Able and willing to be active in all conditions, heat, rain, etc.
● Proven work ethic, energetic, self-motivated, and self-advocating.
● Able to work well independently and in a small team.
● Open-minded approach to a sustainable and intentional lifestyle.
● Excellent communication skills: Able to identify own feelings, communicate in a prompt and
forthright manner, give and receive feedback, and engage in productive dialogue.
● Community-minded, cooperative, and open to sharing personal stories.
● Generally tidy. Food prep and cooking experience preferred. *Note that we keep a plant-based
kitchen. All food brought in or prepared on site must be plant-based, no meat or dairy.
● Demonstrated passion for racial, social, and environmental justice.
● Prior experience with education, youth development, and mentorship preferred.
● Prior experience working with diverse individuals and communities preferred.
● Prior experience with manual labor, trail work, gardening preferred.
● Flexibility with weekend days for special events.
The deadline to apply is April 1st, 2019. Please submit a current resume, letter explaining your interest and
experience, and the names and contact information of three character references. Include why you are
interested in this internship, what skills you have to contribute, and what you would like to gain. How do you
see this internship helping you in your personal and/or professional development? Please include any
outdoor and/or education experience that reflects your comfort with and commitment to both.
Eagle Eye believes in the right of all people to a healthy environment and a positive relationship with nature,
regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
We strongly encourage individuals from communities of color to apply.
For questions and to apply, contact:
Cass Pastorelle, Program Manager
[email protected]
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