Leir Nature Based Internship (January to August 2022)

Institute Interns in this area develop comprehensive skills in nature-based education and activities and practical knowledge for employing those skills in working with children with special needs with livestock and pocket pet species. This internship is built on the foundation of Animal-assisted activities and education designed to create an opportunity for children to self-reflect through interactions and relationships with people, peers, animals and the barn environment. Interns participate in carefully guided interactions, helping students to develop animal care taking and husbandry skills that enhance social, emotional, physical and academic growth beyond the teaching barn. This experiential learning can happen at anytime - in a stall, in a pasture, or when the child grooms a llama, leads a goat, or participates in feeding chores. Interns in this area work one-on-one with students, assist different farm classes, and are responsible for taking care of the daily needs of our farm animals.

In the Equine Program, children learn how to care for the 18 horses, donkeys and ponies, and to manage their behavior and emotions to benefit their relationship with the animals. Interns have the opportunity to support children who have been unsuccessful socially or academically as they begin to experience success in the particularly supportive surroundings of the equine program. Interns participate in carefully guided interactions, helping students to develop riding and stable management skills that enhance social, emotional, physical and academic growth beyond the horse barn. Interns in this area assist indifferent farm classes, work one-on-one with students, and are responsible for taking care of the daily needs of our equine herd.

Interns guide therapeutic/recreational activities such as maintaining a flock of organic chickens and preparing fresh eggs for sale, making gift baskets, bee-keeping, harvesting vegetables, maple sugaring, and assisting in special events such as Saturday Farm Markets. Experiential 1:1 vocational sessions guided by interns are designed to help individual students gain vocational and employable skills following New York State Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) standards.

 

Interns have an opportunity to observe and participate in garden classes,facilitate1:1 activities with individual students in the garden and greenhouse, and may explore independent projects that can enhance the garden program. Interns in the horticulture area will be immersed in both educational and therapeutic aspect of horticulture, and participate in activities guided by the garden teacher. During the spring, summer, and fall months activities are held in our garden, where planting, maintenance and harvesting of crops take place. In the winter, students are exposed to the scientific side of horticulture, such as plant anatomy and seed propagation in our greenhouse aswell as crafts and activities involving herbs and dried flowers.

 

The Wildlife Center features a beautiful education center, animal triage care area and has large display and flight cages, woodland paths and naturalistic habitats, being home to 50 permanently injured/non-releasable birds of prey, water fowls, and exotic species. State and federal licensed wildlife rehabilitators, an environmental educator and animal caretaker comprise the staff in this area, training and supervising interns who will care for the wild animals in this area. Interns in this area will assist different farm classes, work one-on-one with students taking care of birds and small collection of reptiles and amphibians, learn about wildlife rehabilitation, maintain the center and become primary caregivers for the animals.

6) Farm/Garden/Nature Education and Interaction – (Clearpool Campus) This internship option offers an exciting opportunity to participate in a growing integrated nature-based setting that brings together farm animals, gardening, wildlife, environmental science and education for the 40 students attending Green Chimneys School –Clearpool Campus. The campus is located on 350 acres of pristine woodlands, part of which is designated as a New York State Model Forest, and includes as mall farm animal area, birds of prey enclosure, and an organic garden. This internship offers an integration of animal care and gardening with immersion in an innovative outdoor education environment. Interns support certified teachers, therapists and outdoor education staff in environmental, horticultural and animal care activities for the children. It is ideal for an enthusiastic, flexible and adaptable generalist who believes that all contact with nature can be beneficial. The Clearpool Campus internship is based on a self-discovery model in which interns should have the ability to explore, identify learning opportunities and seek guidance. There is also a unique opportunity to create a service plan to execute an individual project at Clearpool upon approval by the work supervisor. Clearpool Campus interns are trained, guided and supervised by Clearpool Animal Care Taker, with support from Brewster staff. **********This internship is for someone who is local and can commute, and a small stipend is available. ************

Job Qualifications: Applicants must be 21 years of age to qualify for housing. Room and board may be available, along with a small stipend.