Outdoor Lab Interns
Interns are vital to the success of the Outdoor Lab Program. Whether at Windy Peak or Mt. Blue Sky, they are typically post-high school or college students building resumes and work force skills. Interns spend at least one full semester on campus leading classes in the field, guiding High School Leaders, and working alongside teachers and site staff to provide inspirational and impactful outdoor experiences.
Meet the Mt. Blue Sky Interns (Click a Photo for Details)
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James McVeigh
Wheat Ridge High School
Q: What inspired you to become an Intern?
A: As a High School Leader, it snowed over a foot. Watching animals leap through the snow combined with the peace of being in the quiet nature, is an experience I will not forget. Becoming an intern meant that I would get to help others experience the beauty of nature. -
Ben Techmeyer
Dakota Ridge High School
Q: What makes you well suited to being an Intern?
A: I bring a good energy to the campus and a positive attitude to the table when others are down. I am proud of who I am when I'm here. -
Chloe Mosgrove
Columbine High School
Q: What inspired you to become an Intern?
A: When I was a high school leader, I loved watching the kids grow throughout the week. The fact that I had an impact on someone’s experience in a positive way was really amazing to see. -
Graham Stevenson
Chatfield Senior High School
Q: What makes you well suited to being an Intern?
A: I love being outside and learning new things. I also love being able to teach people new things. -
Nola Abraham
Silver Creek High School
Q: What makes you well suited to being an Intern?
A: I am very energetic and caring. I love to work with children and the environment! -
Isaac McGrew
Dakota Ridge High School
Q: What makes you well suited to being an Intern?
A: I love working with the kids and I love the outdoors. -
Nina Padron
Arvada West High School
Speaks English and SpanishQ: What makes you well suited to being an Intern?
A: I love working with kids, I’ve been a Sunday school teacher since I was 15 and I’ve developed a passion working with kids and teaching. -
Hailey Cole
Dakota Ridge High School
Q: What makes you well suited to being an Intern?
A: Teaching in nature has quickly turned into one of my greatest passions, and every morning I wake up there I feel so lucky to call this is my job. -
Kaia Ruleman
Evergreen High School
Q: What inspired you to become an Intern?
A: When I was a high school leader, I connected with a 6th grader that had behavioral and social issues and that connection made me feel so proud of myself. -
Riley Babb
Wheat Ridge High School
Q: What makes you well suited to being an Intern?
A: My ability to connect with all the kids, all my interests have become so vast that any kind of music, or hobby a kid likes I probably do too. I learn so much from them and find new things to like every week! -
Tommy Slat
Chatfield Senior High School
Q: What inspired you to become an Intern?
A: As a High School Leader, a sixth-grader mentioned to me that this was the first time they had ever slept in complete quiet. Up in the mountains you are separated from the chaos of the city, stress of life, and are left with peace along with fun. This put into perspective why this program exists.
Meet the Windy Peak Interns (Click a Photo for Details)
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Gavin Cruz
Columbine High School
Speaks English and SpanishQ: What makes you well suited to being an Intern?
A: I am very patient, I am very entertaining and outgoing. I'm also able to enhance the diversity here. I do speak Spanish so I can really help those kids that only speak Spanish to help them feel involved in the community. -
Connor Siwiec
Dakota Ridge High School
Q: What inspired you to become an Intern?
A: In sixth grade I was home sick. My High School Leader gave me a bread tab to wear on my hiking boot strings. Through out the week, I'd see other kids with bread tabs and it helped me not feel alone. When I was a HSL, I gave a homesick student his bread tab and it was inspiring to see everything come full circle. -
Emily Robben
Dakota Ridge High School
Q: What makes you well suited to being an Intern?
A: I am able to get out of my comfort zone. It's been my main mantra through out the year. I think if others can see you get out of your comfort zone, even when you are scared, that encourages them to be more themselves and less afraid too. -
Sydney Jackson
Wheat Ridge High School
Q: What inspired you to become an Intern?
A: I have a core memory from when I was in Middle School being in the bunkhouse where the High School Leaders did a great job, braiding my hair and making me feel part of a community. -
Natalie Segovia
Q: What makes you well suited to being an Intern?
A: I am extremely adaptable. We're thrown different things every week with different kids, schools, and events and I feel I adapt to every situation very well. -
Grayson Fink -
Quinn Hall -
Sienna Burford -
Braeden Wagner -
Anna Jones -
Devon Leahy -
Fiona Bauman
Everyone is Welcome!
We have Spanish speaking Interns and accessibility track chairs at both Windy Peak and Mt. Blue Sky. Both sites are equally capable of supporting ALL students at Outdoor Lab.
Become an Outdoor Lab Intern
As an Intern, you will gain practical experience in teamwork, leadership, and communication. It’s a powerful opportunity to learn and develop work skills in the fields of outdoor leadership, environmental education, and youth development. Want to work seasonally as a guide or a camp counselor? An internship with Outdoor Lab is a great springboard to those jobs!
As an Intern, you work as part of a team to help students learn about Fire Ecology, Leave No Trace, Site History, Archery, and Astronomy. You will instill critical life skills in thousands of sixth-graders and high schoolers who visit from all points in Jeffco.
The Outdoor Lab Site Staff at Windy Peak and Mt. Blue Sky are looking for Interns year-round (for the upcoming semesters). Please keep in mind that decisions are made by the end of the previous semester for which you are applying. Reach out to our Program Directors if you would like the next steps to apply.
Program Directors
- Mt. Blue Sky - Cheyne Heiny | Cheyne.Heiny@jeffco.k12.co.us
- Windy Peak - Garden Marantino | Garden.Marantino@jeffco.k12.co.us
Benefits:
- $1,500 stipend
- 6 college credits through Red Rocks Community College’s Outdoor Education Program
- 3 credits for internship practicum
- 2 credits for Wilderness First Aid certification
- 1 credit for Leave No Trace Level 2 Certification
- 2.5 Elective Credits (For current high school students only)
- Room and board while on campus during the work week
- Inspirational mountain landscape to commune with nature
- Great friendships and professional connections
