Summer Paid Internships

The Jacobs Camp Internship Program was created to support college-aged staff who want to stay connected to camp while gaining valuable, career-building experience. We know that many students feel pressure to find “real-world” jobs during the summer, and we believe that camp is the real world. Through the internship program, participants explore potential career paths, apply their interests in meaningful ways, and support the mission of camp.
Each internship can be customized to fit your goals, whether that means meeting college or graduate program requirements, fulfilling supervised-hour expectations, or focusing on the skills and experiences you want to highlight on your résumé. It’s a meaningful way to grow as a leader, contribute to the Jacobs Camp community, and take intentional steps toward your future.

Examples of Summer Internships

  • Business Internship
  • Engineering Internship
  • History Internship
  • Jewish Life Internship
  • Medical Internship
  • Operations and Logistics Internship
  • Outdoor Education Internship
  • Social Media and Design Internship
  • STEM Internship
  • Tech, Music, Broadcasting Internship
  • Create Your Own! We are looking forward to partnering with students to create internships that align with their career goals with experiencing the MAGIC of Summer Camp.

Camper Care Specialist/Internship

Jacobs Camp is looking for compassionate, hands-on individuals to join our Camper Care Team! Perfect for students or professionals in education, social work, or psychology who want meaningful, real-world experience this summer.

Who Should Apply:

  • Teachers looking for meaningful summer employment in a fun camp atmosphere
  • Undergrad or Graduate students in social work, counseling, psychology or related fields
  • Individuals who enjoy building meaningful and impactful relationships with children
  • Anyone ready for hands-on experience supporting children with a wide range of needs

Jacobs Camp is able to support students in field education, as we have licensed supervisors who can provide appropriate oversight and documentation.

It helped me step outside my comfort zone — not only in writing, but also in reaching out to new people and asking them to be part of my ideas. It was such a fun challenge to come up with themes that could last the whole session while still connecting to what each unit was doing. The internship was really flexible, and I liked that I could help other counselors brainstorm if they needed ideas.

Mimi, Washington University

Communications Intern 2025

I gained hands-on experience with financial management, data analysis, and administrative processes in a real world setting that deepened my understanding of how a business office functions.

Alex, Indiana University

Business Intern 2025

Camp Internship Program: Professional Learning Tracks

MEDICAL INTERNSHIP

Overview:
Interns receive over 50 hours of hands-on experience shadowing medical professionals, supporting sick call procedures, and developing public health improvement initiatives for the camp community.

Resume Sample Entry:
Clinical & Health Systems Intern | Jacobs Camp
50+ hours shadowing pediatric nurses and doctors in a camp clinic
Supports daily health operations including triage, medication distribution, and infection tracking
Conduct a research project on skin infection trends and proposed sanitation protocol changes

Business Internship

Overview:
Interns gain exposure to nonprofit management through administrative support, donor relations, and engagement with major organizational leaders.

Resume Sample Entry:
Nonprofit Operations Intern | Jacobs Camp
Supports human resources and donor relations efforts for a nonprofit serving over 500 families
Coordinates donor mailings and thank-you outreach during annual fundraising campaign
Attends strategic development calls with capital campaign and URJ leadership

 

HISTORY INTERNSHIP

Overview:
This internship involves curating the camp’s historical assets and launching a generational mapping project connecting campers to alumni.

Resume Sample Entry:
Archives Intern | Jacobs Camp
Digitize and organize 50+ years of camp photography and historical documents
Launch intergenerational alumni mapping project to connect campers with former staff
Develop cataloging system for the camp library and archive

 

SOCIAL MEDIA & DESIGN INTERNSHIP

Overview:
This track allows interns to develop digital content, brand assets, and hospitality experiences to enhance camp’s visibility and culture.

Resume Sample Entry:
Creative Communications Intern | Jacobs Camp
Designed branded merchandise and signage for a community of 600+ campers and staff
Created photo and video content for social media platforms with 2,000+ followers
Developed hospitality kits to improve guest and alumni experiences
Wrote and published weekly blog posts featuring camper stories and program highlights

ENGINEERING INTERNSHIP

Overview:
Interns dive into hands-on learning about HVAC systems, structural design, and maintenance of camp’s newest construction projects.

Resume Sample Entry:
Facilities & Infrastructure Intern | Jacobs Camp
Assists in reviewing operational performance across 12 new buildings
Supports HVAC monitoring, building inspections, and blueprint analysis
Collaborates with operations staff to maintain safe, efficient camp facilities

JEWISH LIFE INTERNSHIP

Overview:
Interns support the spiritual fabric of camp through planning services, lessons, and large Jewish community programs.

Resume Sample Entry:
Jewish Life Intern | Jacobs Camp
Supports weekly services and Jewish programming for over 400 youth
Manages supplies and lesson materials for 20+ counselors and faculty
Operates AV equipment for services and song leading sessions

STEM INTERNSHIP

Overview:
Interns create interactive science lessons and manage specialty STEM programming for campers ages 8–16.

Resume Sample Entry:
STEM Education Intern | Jacobs Camp
Develops and lead age-appropriate science activities for over 150 campers ages 8–16
Design curriculum and managed safety and materials for daily experiments
Promote STEM curiosity through hands-on learning and collaborative challenges

OUTDOOR EDUCATION INTERNSHIP

Overview:
This role focuses on connecting campers to nature through education, adventure, and appreciation-based programming.

Resume Sample Entry:
Outdoor Education Intern | Jacobs Camp
Create and lead wilderness survival lessons and hiking excursions for youth ages 8–16
Design nature-based learning activities and environmental games
Support camper confidence building and outdoor exploration

TECH, MUSIC, & BROADCASTING INTERNSHIP

Overview:
Interns lead the creative production of camp audio and video content, while gaining AV tech and media skills.

Resume Sample Entry:
Multimedia & Broadcasting Intern | Jacobs Camp
Produce weekly camp podcast featuring camper interviews and event recaps
Train youth on podcasting, editing, and storytelling techniques
Operate AV systems for daily events and services

COMMUNICATIONS INTERNSHIP

Overview:
This internship combines creative writing, performance planning, and internal communications. Interns help shape the tone, humor, and clarity of camp’s community programming—particularly through the creation of “Letter Day” skits and storytelling.

Resume Sample Entry:
Communications & Programming Intern | Jacobs Camp
Write and produce daily sketch-style Letter Day performances for an audience of 500+ campers and staff
Collaborate with staff across six camp units to coach and refine comedic scripts and announcements
Contribute to camp-wide programming design, logistics, and internal communications under Assistant Director supervision
Support counselor storytelling and communication strategy to enhance camper engagement

OPERATIONS & LOGISTICS INTERNSHIP

Overview:
This role focuses on the day to day programming of camp, ensuring there is a balance between staff coverage and programming goals during daily programming.

Resume Sample Entry:
Programming and Logistics Intern | Jacobs Camp
Design and implement comprehensive daily schedules for 100+ staff members, optimizing coverage and overall program delivery
Partner with unit heads and department leaders to align programming logistics with camp goals, ensuring proper allocation of supplies, staffing, and space
Assist in the planning and execution of large-scale, camp-wide events, coordinating logistics, timing, and resource needs
Promote staff well-being by proactively supporting their mental and physical needs, fostering a positive and sustainable work environment

HOSPITALITY INTERNSHIP

Overview:
This role focuses on facilitating a high level of hospitality to important guests and stakeholders at camp

Resume Sample Entry:
Hospitality Intern | Jacobs Camp
Manage room turnover, housing assignments, and the housing board to ensure smooth guest arrivals.
Prepare welcome procedures and facilitated receptions for camp guests
Create and implement guest hospitality standards in coordination with the operations team

Community Care Internship

Overview:
This role focuses on providing hands-on support to campers and staff, modeling best practices for camper care including behavior modification and mindfulness, and helping create a safe, supportive, and engaging environment for all children at Jacobs Camp.

Who Should Apply?
Teachers looking for meaningful summer employment in a fun camp atmosphere
Undergrad or Graduate students in social work, counseling, psychology or related fields

Jacobs Camp is able to provide licensed supervision to undergraduate and grad students in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related fields and is able to meet field placement requirements. Contact Sarah at sbate@urj.org to for more info.

Create Your Own Internship!

Jacobs Camp will work closely with students to meet their career goals in the field they are interested in. Have questions? Contact Sarah Bate at sbate@urj.org to discuss staff internship options!

Designed for career exploration, skill development, and real-world impact.
All internships include:
Weekly 1-hour cohort meeting
Supervised project hours (50+ over summer)
Mentorship from 1-3 field professionals
Weekly or biweekly networking check-ins
A capstone project or portfolio deliverable

Frequently Asked Questions

Why have an internship at camp?

The Jacobs Camp Internship Program gives college-aged staff the chance to gain meaningful, real-world experience while spending the summer at camp. Working at camp helps build skills that matter, leadership, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and creativity. At the same time, we understand building a résumé and exploring future career paths is important. That’s why our internships are designed to give hands-on experience in a variety of areas, including Programming, Operations, Communications, Marketing, Camper Care, STEM, Outdoor Education, Jewish Life and MORE! There will be no coffee runs or meaningless tasks here. Your internship will further the mission of camp. Working at Jacobs Camp will connect you to a massive alumni network who all know the importance of camp experience.

Who can apply for an internship?

Any college-aged staff member or returning counselor who’s looking to grow their skills and take on additional responsibilities. Whether you’ve been part of camp for years or are joining our team for the first time, there’s a place for you and your professional career goals. Internships at camp work best with full summer staff.

What kind of Internships are available?
  • Business Internship
  • Engineering Internship
  • History Internship
  • Jewish Life Internship
  • Medical Internship
  • Operations and Logistics Internship
  • Outdoor Education Internship
  • Social Media and Design Internship
  • Child Behavior/Social Work Internship
  • STEM Internship
  • Tech, Music, Broadcasting Internship

Create your Own Internship!

 

What does a typical day look like for an intern?

Every day is a little different, and that’s part of the fun! Interns spend at least one hour each day in focused work, and they meet one-on-one with camp professionals for mentorship and guidance. Throughout the summer, there are opportunities to connect with and network with professionals in your field, both at camp and virtually. In between, you’ll still experience the magic of camp, running activities, bunk night, and helping shape the next generation of Jewish leaders.

Is the internship paid?

Yes, most interns received a bonus to their summer salary of $275. 

What deliverables or outcomes can interns expect by the end of the summer?

By the end of the summer, interns will have a variety of tangible takeaways that reflect their growth and contributions. Depending on the internship, this may include:

  • Hands-on experience in your field of interest
  • 50+ supervised project hours (more in some internships)
  • A portfolio or capstone project showcasing your work and achievements
  • Résumé-ready skills and accomplishments for future opportunities
  • References from both camp professionals and other industry mentor

The content on this page was created in collaboration with Mimi Reagler, Communications Intern Summer 2025.