Teens Engaged and Empowered in Nature Stewardship (T.E.E.N.S) is an internship program developed for students in Montgomery County to explore green careers in nature and environmental science.
Interns will receive an hourly stipend and hands-on training for future employment opportunities within the parks department. Interns are expected to work independently as well as within a group, and will be working with the public for some of the events.
Applications are due by 10:00 PM on Sunday, June 1st. Click here to apply.
What types of opportunities does T.E.E.N.S. offer?
Training in parks careers such as ecologist, naturalist, and horticulturalist
Hands-on experiences in multiple divisions of the parks department
Leadership skill development
Paid stipend and future paid employment opportunities
Mentorship and networking partnerships with Parks staff
Who is eligible?
The program is open to Montgomery County Public School high school students who will be ages 16 and up during the 2025-2026 school year. We are looking for students who are passionate about nature, environmental stewardship, and learning, and are eligible for the MCPS Internship program.
What’s the schedule?
The program runs from Thursday, Oct 2nd , 2025, through Thursday, May 28th, 2026. The program will meet at Locust Grove Nature Center every Thursday from 4:00-6:00 PM, as well as one Saturday a month from 10:00-3:00. We will also meet from 10:00-3:00 on several weekdays when school is not in session. (including Thursday, October 2nd, our first day of the program). Bonus opportunities will also be available if you’d like to earn more hours.
Where does the program take place? Is there transportation available?
The program primarily takes place at Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD 20817, which is located on the 42 and 47 bus lines. Some of the full day sessions will involve travelling to other locations throughout the parks department, and we can meet the interns at those locations, or they can meet at Locust Grove and ride with us in our minibus.
Stipend:
Program participants will receive an hourly stipend of $15.25 and be hired as contract employees with Montgomery Parks. The program will be approximately 150 hours, with some opportunities for bonus hours.
How do I apply?
Ready to kickstart your conservation career? Click here to apply!
Include your resume and responses to the following short answer questions:
Describe a personal, formative experience in nature. (100-200 words)
Our program involves getting into the dirt and doing physically demanding work in an outdoor setting. Describe a time when you’ve followed through on a physically and mentally challenging task to complete a project. (100-200 words)
For our program, you’ll have to work independently as well as in groups, and there will be deadlines to meet without the usual support of school or family members reminding you about them. Can you briefly explain how you have managed to stay organized and meet deadlines in the past, and what strategies you will use to be successful in our program? (50-150 words)
Applications are due at 10:00 PM on Sunday, June 1st.
Program Modules
Interpretation: Learn how to connect people with nature and cultural resources. Practice leading peers on hikes and interpreting natural resources with parks outreach events.
Native Plants: Learn plant identification skills, the role of native plants in our ecosystem and problems with invasive species. Develop native gardening and invasive plant management techniques.
Native Animals: Learn to identify native animals and their role in the ecosystem. Learn how to create landscapes that provide animal habitats. Practice animal care with animal ambassadors at a nature center.
Humans in the Ecosystem: Explore the interaction and intersection of humans on the natural world. Learn about the negative impacts on the ecosystem and how they can be addressed. Practice trail maintenance and water quality sampling.
Marketing: Develop social media and advertising techniques to help connect the public with the parks. Create a social media campaign to solve an existing problem or to promote a parks event.
Universal Design: Learn about universal design principles and creating accessible park spaces. Practice creating accessible spaces.