Youth Education Programs Internship

~ Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, on 295 spectacular shorefront acres in the midcoast town of Boothbay, is one of the nation’s newest, loveliest, and most dynamic public gardens. ~

The Gardens officially opened to the public in 2007. In 2018, we welcomed over 225,000 guests. TripAdvisor named Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens the #1 public garden in the United States.  Our mission is to inspire meaningful connections among people, plants and nature through horticulture, education and research.

Internship Overview

Internship Mission:

This internship prepares students to enter the field of environmental or museum education by providing hands-on experience with informal youth and family educational programming and interpretation. Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens is regarded as among the foremost public gardens in the country. This internship allows students to participate directly in a wide variety of educational programs for school/youth groups, children and families as well as general guests. The intern will learn how an Education Department works to deliver programming to a diverse range of audiences in a public garden setting.

Academic/Experiential-Learning Nexus:

• Youth, family and school group programming in relation to horticulture, botany and natural history.

Schedule & Compensation:

• 40 hours/week, including weekend days from approximately mid-May to late August.
• Flexible start and end date.
• The hourly wage for this internship is $12/hr. Assistance finding housing is available.
• The successful candidate must provide his/her own transportation to/from the workplace.

Position Summary & Responsibilities

The Youth Education Programs Internship provides hands-on experience supporting and implementing a wide variety of youth and family programming at the Gardens. Under the supervision and mentorship of the Youth and Family Program Coordinator, the Youth Education Programs Intern will have the opportunity to:

• Carry out daily informal educational activities in the Bibby and Harold Alfond Children’s Garden such as storytime, puppet shows and chicken feeding.
• Learn the art and science of live interpretation as you help to facilitate Discovery Carts and Nature/Garden Investigations in the Native Butterfly House and Alfond Children’s Garden.
• Assist with the implementation of gardening and nature themed camps and day programs for children.
  Increase gardening knowledge while helping to care for the Learning Garden and greenhouse.
• Plan and carry out Fairy Friday activities in the Alfond Children’s Garden every Friday during July and August.
• Learn what it takes to maintain a children’s garden by assisting with the daily upkeep of the Alfond Children’s Garden play areas and structures.
• Welcome and orient visiting student field trip groups and participate in curriculum delivery.
• Learn best practices in customer service.

Qualifications

• The successful candidate must be comfortable with and enjoy interacting with the public and with students of all ages.
• They should have good organizational skills, an interest in plants, gardening and nature, and a desire to learn more about the role of education in a public garden setting.
• Some coursework/experience in the field of education or the natural sciences is required.

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below before February 28, 2019 to email resume, cover letter and three references to: Erika Huber, Youth and Family Program Coordinator.