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.
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?
High school junior and senior students ages 16 and up 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 February 1 through May 17. The program will meet virtually from 3:00-3:45 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at your school, in person on two Saturdays a month, and on two Mondays when school is not in session — March 31 and April 21. Bonus dates are available, including the evening of Friday, May 16.
Where does the program take place? Is there transportation available?
The program meets virtually at your school on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and in-person sessions will meet at Sligo Avenue Neighborhood Park, 500 Sligo Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Free parking is available and the park can be accessed via the 14, 16, 20 and 24 buses. Participants are expected to coordinate their own transportation to the Sligo Avenue Park location. Transportation will be provided from Sligo Avenue Park to other Parks locations.
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 80-90 hours, for an expected stipend of $1200-$1500 depending on the total number of hours completed.
How do I apply?
Ready to kickstart your conservation career? Watch this page for upcoming application dates for the 2025-2026 school year.
Include a resume and written response to the following prompts:
- Describe a personal, formative experience in nature.
- 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.
Applications are due December 14th, 2024
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.