Summer Camp Specialty Programming Intern - On-Site Summer 2026 Internship

Intern Sarasota County is proud to be #VaultRanked as one of the Top 150 Internships for 2026!

Department:

Parks Recreation and Natural Resources

About Our Job

Looking for a fun and exciting internship? The Recreation and Neighborhood Parks (RNP) division of the Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources department has an incredible opportunity for students majoring in Recreation Park and Tourism Management, Sports Management, Event Planning, Business, Marketing, or Education. The Summer Camp Specialty Programming Intern plays a key role in enhancing the overall Adventure and Specialty Camp experiences by developing, coordinating, and implementing specialized recreational and educational programming across multiple camp locations. This position focuses primarily on sports-related activities, but may also include arts, outdoor education, team building, fitness, and other enrichment experiences. This role will be responsible for creating age-appropriate lesson plans, prepare materials, and ensure activities promote fun, inclusion, and safety.

Job Description:

Are you interested in getting hands-on experience in your chosen field? Do you want to make a difference in your community?

Intern Sarasota County is dedicated to providing students with an unsurpassed learning experience and insight into the dynamic world of public sector employment.

Develop new skills you can apply in the workplace. Gain skills that will enhance your resume and increase your career options while exploring public service! Observe and participate in tasks and responsibilities performed daily by skilled professionals. Experience workplace culture, office dynamics, and business etiquette.

Your internship will include impactful hands-on work within a department, networking, professional development, and building long lasting connections with other interns, mentors, and Sarasota County team members.

Department Responsibilities:

• Coordinate with camp supervisors and other camp staff to provide programming one day a week for six weeks of adventure camp at two locations.
• Display leadership ability in planning and directing recreational activities.
• Provide highest level of customer service to participants and parents.
• Monitor and perform check-in on internal and 3rd party specialty camps.
• Ensure accuracy of specialty camp invoices with camp rosters.
• Provide rosters to internal and external specialty camps.
• Draft adventure and specialty camp correspondence (CampDoc/ Constant Contact).
• Assist with American Camping Association Accreditation compliance and reaccreditation.
• Develop Specialty Camp Manual.
• Evaluate each specialty camp program by collecting staff feedback, camper responses, and personal observations.
• Take initiative in proposing new sports or enrichment programs that could benefit the camp community
• Provide hands-on coaching and instruction that encourages skill development, teamwork, confidence, and positive participation.
• Assist with summer camp operations, special events and other operational assignments.
• Special projects and assignments.
• Collaborate with your department colleagues to make and influence real changes.

Internship Program Responsibilities:

• A presentation to the County Administrator and other County Leadership staff is required at the close of the internship program on Friday, August 7, 2026.
• Participate in all organized intern events and trainings.

Your Internship Includes: 

• In-person, on-site work!
• Competitive wage 
• Hands-on work experience
• Professional headshot
• 1-1 mentoring with county staff
• Professional Development Events:
  • Civics 101 & Facility Tour
  • Own Your Career
  • Business Etiquette & Professional Networking
  • Philanthropy & Your Career
  • Board of County Commission Public Hearing Session
  • Speaking for Success
• Opportunity to job shadow in other departments

Location: Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota

Learn more about the internship program at: scgov.net/intern

About You

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ages 16-17 with parental consent, or 18 and above.
• Eligible to work in the United States – we love local, national, and international students!
• Active, enrolled student.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Enjoys working with children

Subject to Passing Substance Screening: This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening. An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment for a period of five (5) years.

About Everything Else

• Program Dates: The 2026 internship program will begin on May 18, 2026 and end on August 7, 2026.  
• Internship Hours: 40 hours/week. Schedule will vary, with hours Monday-Saturday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Pay Range: $15 per hour (high school student) up to $20 per hour (Grad/Masters student), based on your credit hours earned.