High School Outdoor Leader Program has three main parts and a fall opportunity:
Preparing
This is when you learn the outdoor adventure and mentor skills you'll use for the rest of the summer.
Leading
This is your paid internship. Under the guidance of a college intern, you’ll use the skills you learned while training to help our with our summer camps, Urban Adventures outdoor sports program and environmental research.
Traveling
Oh yeah, did we mention that you’ll be going on a really cool trip? You’ll spend a week at the Teton Science School and Yellowstone National Park conducting field work and exploring this amazing mountain ecosystem.
Opportunity
Based on your successful completion of the program, you get a chance to continue your paid internship at the Center during the next school year. You will be interviewed and compete for one of seven available spots. How sweet is that?
|
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should apply?
You! Especially if you have completed at least one year of high school and are interested in leadership, mentoring, science, education and the outdoors.
What will we do during the training?
The goal of the training is to prepare you for the internship that follows. Outdoor Leaders will explore urban green spaces in the Milwaukee area while learning how to safely perform outdoor activities such as rock climbing, canoeing and hiking. They will also engage in field research techniques, team-building activities and leadership opportunities. We will spend one full day at Lake Nemahbin learning how to canoe and how to perform a deep-water canoe rescue. At the end of the training, Outdoor Leaders will practice these skills with a group of campers.
What will the internship consist of?
- During the internship portion of the program, you will
- Be a counselor for summer camps
- Assist with scientific research
- Perform land stewardship (gardening, remove exotic species, trail maintenance)
How much do I get paid for the internship?
Upon satisfactory completion of the entire program, including full attendance and participation in the training week, four weeks of internship, trip to the Teton Science School in Wyoming and the public presentation after returning from Wyoming, each Outdoor Leader receives a $600 stipend.
Do I have to pay for the program?
This one-of-a-kind program is valued at $4000. We can offer it to qualified high school students at a very affordable cost based on a sliding scale according to family’s ability to pay (see below). Each Outdoor Leader will receive a $600 stipend at the completion of the summer program and the opportunity to apply for a part time job at the Center for the following school year.
|
2008 HOUSEHOLD INCOME
|
COST OF PROGRAM
|
|
UNDER $30,000
|
$100
|
|
$30,000-50,000
|
$250
|
|
$50,000-75,000
|
$500
|
|
$75,000-100,000
|
$1,000
|
|
$100,000+
|
$1,500
|
What about this trip to Wyoming?
We will be staying at the Teton Science School’s field station, just outside of Jackson Hole in Kelly, Wyoming. We will be staying in 2-3 person platform tents. There will be separate tents for males and females. There is a platform tent style kitchen at the field station,
and waterless toilet facilities just outside of the main campsite.
How many chaperones are there on the trip?
We will send two adult chaperones with fifteen students. Upon arrival, the Teton science schoolwill be providing at least two additional staff. While we expect Outdoor Leaders to behave responsibly, staff will be present both during planned activities and down-time. The staff will also stay in tents at the field station with the Outdoor Leaders.
What kind of wildlife might we see?
(Tell me the truth, will I get eaten by bears?)
There is a wide diversity of wildlife in the Tetons, including bison, elk, weasels, ground squirrels, wolves and bears. There are both black and grizzly bears, but there is a very slim chance that we would be lucky enough to see them. However, we will take all necessary precautions to ensure our safety. For example, we will put scented items, such as soap and lotion, in bear-proof containers to keep them out of camp.
What kind of spending money will I need on the trip?
Room and board are covered in the tuition fee. However, students may want to bring $20 to $50 for souvenirs or snacks.
How can I continue my internship next school year?
Upon successfully completing the Outdoor Leader program, participants are invited to apply for a year-long internship at the Urban Ecology Center. Four interns will work 8-10 hours per week after school and on weekends. They will continue to use the skills developed through the summer intern as well as assist with working as a receptionist and other tasks related to running the Center.
|
Travel
