Apply between November 15 – February 15 for the summer Wolf Camp Earth Skills Teaching Apprenticeship or Blue Skye Farm Natural Science Education Internship
Please note, we are not yet sure how many internship positions will be available (0-2) depending on how many our returning Instructors In Training graduate to become interns or apprentices during the fall season, so it’s best to wait until November 15th before putting time into your application. Thanks!
Our full-time summer residential programs require an extensive application process to ensure that this is the right choice for you, and that you are the right choice for us. Because our application page is so detailed, it serves as a good filter and guide for you to decide whether you are ready to apply, and it helps you prepare in advance of arrival so that everyone becomes successful in the program.
Up-to-date health insurance, CPR certification, and vaccinations (Covid-19, Tetanus/Tdap, MMR) are required to participate or work in our programs. In addition, a current Wilderness First Aid or Lifeguarding certification is also necessary before arrival. WFA weekend courses fill early so schedule one soon via REI, the Mountaineers, or our favorite training program: the Wilderness Medical Training Center.
1. Discuss: Call program directors Kim & Chris Chisholm at 425-248-0253 or email with questions. This initial conversation with Chris & Kim is designed to discuss whether the program is a good fit.
2. Email the following information:
- Registration Form including health history you would like us to know in advance of attending early-summer wilderness trainings and working outdoors, plus answers on its questionnaire page that would be relevant to your program; skip anything that seems oriented to youth campers, and no photo since that’s even optional for students, and not part of work applications;
- Short cover letter describing your intention for the program, including preferred focus on certain skills vs. teaching, etc.;
- Simple resume with educational and work experience, including contact information for at least one reference okay for us to call;
- Bullet-point list of any additional relevant experience or trainings you have received, even personal/familial ones, such as in wilderness first aid, cpr, lifeguarding, risk management, navigation, climbing, survival, permaculture, agriculture, sustainability, farm/garden work college courses in biology-ecology-geology-astronomy-sociology, camp counseling, teaching, tutoring, mentoring, babysitting, healing, coaching, leadership, conflict resolution, diversity, martial arts, music, art, film, stage drama, dance, poetry, and personal dirt time growing up around nature, wilderness, beaches, farms, gardens, carpentry, landscaping, animals, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and backpacking, for example.
3. Confirm & Finalize: Chris & Kim will make an assessment and respond with a personalized schedule including financial details. If acceptable and you wish to proceed, deliver the following materials which will be necessary for your personnel file:
- One letter of recommendation;
- Photocopy of your current driver’s license, or state identification.
- Your most recent educational transcripts. Unofficial copies are totally fine.
- Photocopies of degrees and certifications, and any extra materials you want to add to your personnel file;
4. Prepare: To achieve the greatest success in the program, review our course descriptions and study our relevant extensive blog articles and video as much as you can, plus other research we may recommend. The more experience or training you can gain in advance of arriving, the greater success you will have with this program, including:
- Time Outdoors (camping/hiking/backpacking, and playing night and day in the woods, deserts, mountains, prairies, beaches and waterways around your home; cultivating fruits and vegetables, fishing or caring for animals both domestic and wild)
- Improving your community living / shared housemate situations through practicing communication skills and organizing events, for example, or gaining sensitivity and respect for others’ pet peeves; keeping kitchens and bathrooms clean, etc.
- Personal hygiene: physical, emotional, mental, social, etc. and acceptance of diversity in politics, religion, culture – even ones you think are small-minded but may be based on someone’s genuine experience;
- Tool safety and efficiency; practice with wilderness survival, traditional craftwork, wild edible foods, herbal studies, etc. Self-discipline to record and express experiences in writing, journaling, storytelling, blogging, etc.
- Teaching/counseling/mentoring/volunteer experience (especially understanding the needs of various ages)
Don’t add anything that overwhelms you with stress or takes away from your real-time priorities. Remember that you don’t have to have much previous experience with these things as long as you are intent on learning them throughout the summer with us. While you are here, you will quickly bulk up your personnel file by journaling the skills you practice, and you may even start to remember or realize how important the little things are, such as times during childhood when you had what seemed like small experiences with plants, animals, minerals, and outdoor phenomena.
Notes from Chris & Kim: We’re looking forward to receiving your application, but feel free to call 425-248-0253 or email us so we can clarify any questions you have. But as mentioned above, we are not yet sure how many internship positions will be available depending whether any of our teenage Instructors In Training graduate to become interns or apprentices during the fall season, so it’s best to wait until November 15th before putting time into your application. Thanks! There is so very much to gain and to give in this program, so we’re looking forward to sharing it with you. Finally, as you decide whether to proceed with your application, be sure to read our Supplemental Apprenticeship/Internship FAQs which answer real-life questions from previous applicants.