Students and new graduates
Interns are essential here, not extra.
USARC interns work as de-facto staff — assessing, teaching and documenting adaptive recreation for participants aged 5 to 75, across a range of disabilities most programs never see in one season.
How to apply
Five things, in one email.
Combine everything into a single file attachment and send it to mail@usarc.org.
- Submit a personal resumé or curriculum vitae with a cover letter.
- Submit a completed and signed Internship Application form.
- Submit a completed University Supervisor Agreement form signed by the faculty supervisor.
- Submit a copy of your current C.P.R. and First Aid Certification, current at the time of the internship.
- Submit a copy of your current health insurance card, and maintain health insurance throughout the internship.
At a glance
- Two seasons to choose from: winter, about mid‑December through March, and summer, June through August.
- A season pass for the duration of a winter internship, with free skiing and half-price meals in the cafeteria.
- At least one $1,000 stipend is available per semester.
- Hours toward university fieldwork or community service requirements.
To be eligible for a stipend, the selected intern must return their completed internship application forms, be concurrently enrolled in the appropriate internship course at an accredited university, and be able to complete a minimum of 500 hours during the internship. Other students are welcome to intern unpaid to fulfill university fieldwork or community service requirements, since USARC is highly volunteer‑supported.
The work
What an intern actually does.
Facilitating people with many different types of disabilities learning to snow ski, snowboard or snowshoe in winter, and to water ski, kayak, fish, sail and camp in summer. Alongside that:
- Provide written goals for the internship.
- Maintain a journal with a daily brief paragraph of the clients taught, experiential observations, relevance to NCTRC standards, and notes needing discussion or clarification at respective meetings.
- Based on the journal, attend weekly (or bi‑weekly) meetings with the intern coordinator.
- Attend staff meetings.
- Conduct an in-service presentation to staff.
- Assist in the coordination of special events such as our Ski‑a‑thon or Peak to Peak Pedal.
- Assist in the coordination of the Volunteer Recognition Party.
- Write articles for the USARC blog and newsletter, The Spirit.
- Design or modify a piece of adaptive equipment, prepare and present a case study of a USARC client, undertake a Level One P.S.I.A. adaptive instructor exam (winter only), or another approved project meeting the needs of the program.
Where interns come from
Universities that have sent interns to USARC.
Students have come to Big Bear for their internship from programs across the country, from SUNY Cortland to San Diego State.
Not sure yet?
Start as a volunteer adaptive instructor.
Every adaptive instructor is trained before they work with a participant, and no prior experience with adaptive sports is needed.