Eagle Eye Residential Summer Internship 2019
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 30 miles from Williamstown. 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 for the enjoyment and benefit of all, developing land management skills,
including trail building and maintenance, 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 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, skills, and gifts of our interns; you will have the opportunity to design and
complete an independent project that allows you to pursue your interests while contributing to the site
in some way. We will offer workshops throughout the summer for your development 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. But 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 Scott
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
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-6:00 PM LAF youth program
6:00-8:00 PM Clean up and free time
Supervision & Evaluation: The Residential Summer Interns will receive supervision and mentorship from
the seasonal Internship Coordinator, Program Manager Cass Pastorelle, and Site Manager Scott Beach.
The interns will have the benefit of working directly with the co-founders of Eagle Eye, Anthony Sanchez
and MaJa Kietzke. 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 to touch base and to give and receive feedback.
Compensation: This internship is unpaid. We provide room (a personal standup Eureka tent) and board
(plant-based meals, M-F).
Qualifications:
Individuals who are most successful in this internship demonstrate the following qualities:
● Open-minded, curious, and willing to challenge their assumptions.
● Community-minded, cooperative, and respectful.
● Strong communication skills – able to identify one’s own feelings, communicate in a prompt and
forthright manner, give and receive feedback, and engage in productive dialogue.
● Energetic, self-motivated, and self-advocating.
● Open to sharing personal stories and connecting with others.
● Able to work well independently and in a small team.
● Food prep and cooking experience preferred, general tidiness required.
○ Note that we keep a plant-based kitchen and all food brought into or prepared on site
must be plant-based (no meat, dairy).
● Ability to work hard in all conditions: heat, rain, etc.
Additional Qualifications:
● Current college student or recent graduate.
● Possess their own transportation to and from site.
● Excellent physical condition.
● Flexibility with weekend days for special events.
● 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.
● Landscaping or trail experience a plus.
How to Apply: Submit a current resume, a 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 learn from the experience. How do you
see this internship helping you in your personal and/or professional development? Please include any
outdoor experience and experience with youth 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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