The National Sports Center for the Disabled, a non-profit organization that provides year-round therapeutic recreation and competitive opportunities for children and adults with disabilities, offers several internship opportunities to individuals looking for fun and rewarding learning experiences.

Click on the following to navigate to the details

• Internships General Information
  
• Winter Internships
  
• Summer Internships
  
• Public Relations Internships
  
• On-Line Internship Application

Winter/Summer Internships

Candidates must have completed at least their junior year of college.

Deadlines
Application deadline for winter internships is September 30. Application deadline for summer internships is February 15.

Benefits
Internships are non-paid positions. But interns will receive a season pass, uniform, locker, and 50% off on food at Winter Park Resort cafeterias. Interns are also eligible for resort employee housing (approximately $300.00/month) on a space-available basis. Interns may also ride the free employee shuttle bus.

Insurance, Worker's Compensation, Liability
NSCD interns are not covered under Worker's Compensation Insurance for accidents or injuries. Interns are strongly encouraged to carry their own personal medical insurance.

Supervisor
The supervisor is responsible for providing a meaningful internship that follows NCTRC, university and NSCD standards.

What to expect:

• A meaningful and varied experience that will enhance your professional development.
  
• NCTRC-certified personnel who will provide you with direction, counseling, and supervision.
  
• A practical work experience.
  
• Responsibilities that are comparable to those of a beginning, full-time staff member and which are compatible with your abilities, expertise, and career goals.
  
• A complete explanation of what you are required to complete during the internship.
  
• A performance evaluation and a report to both you and your college professor.

What we expect from the college/university:

• A specific faculty member to serve as student advisor.
  
• Communication between the faculty advisor, the student and the NSCD supervisor at least twice during the internship by either visitation or phone.
  
• The necessary educational background must be provided to students.
  
• A current internship manual.
  
• A consultation with students to ensure appropriate placement.
  
• A method to receive feedback and evaluation of the student and the school program from the agency/supervisor.
  
• The necessary forms for midterm and final evaluation.

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Winter Internships

Application deadline for Winter internships is August 1. Fill out an application here.
(current application is fine)

Winter intern qualifications:

• Affiliation with a college or university. Hospital or rehabilitation center interns will
  be accepted without affiliation by special arrangements.
  
• Must have completed a minimum of a junior year of college.
  
• Excellent physical condition
  
• Current First Aid CPR Certification
• Intermediate skills in alpine skiing or snowboarding
• Some knowledge of various disabilities

Duties
The winter season runs from mid-November through mid-April. To gain more experience with the administration and/or fundraising aspects of the program, interns should be here during the off seasons of May, September and/or October.

The overall goal of the internship is to allow individuals to perform a complete assessment of students, determine adaptive equipment needs, select appropriate teaching systems, set goals and plan lesson, instruct activity, document progress, maintain records, and make recommendations for future lessons. Interns will also gain a working knowledge of the NSCD administration policies and procedures and will be capable of planning, implementing, supervising and leading a program.

Specific duties will include:
Interns will assist in our AbilityCAMP program that occurs several times during the winter and includes skills development activities in basketball, soccer, lacrosse, and volleyball.

• Teaching individuals with disabilities to alpine ski or snowboard.
  
• Observing and assisting with snowshoeing and cross-country skiing lessons.
  
• Attending clinics taught by certified ski instructors. Clinics will cover the ski techniques that are based on the American Teaching System, which is used throughout the United States. The technique is then adapted and modified to suit each disability.
  
• Training in our equipment room to learn the methods of adapting equipment so that people with disabilities can participate in our winter recreation programs.
  
• Completing evaluations and assessments of disabled participants and selecting the appropriate adaptive equipment.
  
• Assisting with administrative tasks.
  
• Assisting with the coordination and supervision of a weekly program, including student record keeping, supervising volunteers, and planning special events. Programs begin in early January and continue for ten weeks.
  
• Becoming involved with program planning and volunteer coordination and supervision.
  
• Completing a special project. Projects will be predetermined by the supervisor, and interns will select from a variety of projects. Interns will present their special project to the NSCD staff.
  
• Assisting in NSCD fundraising events, if desired.

The NSCD works with people who have various special needs. Every attempt will be made for the interns to meet and be trained to work with people who have many different diagnoses.

Interns are an integral part of NSCD. It is expected that they conduct themselves in a professional manner and one that reflect positively upon the program and its staff.

NOTE: It is highly recommended that interns purchase BOLD TRACKS, a teaching manual for adaptive skiing. Click Here to purchase, or call 970-726-1540

Description of Activities
Alpine Skiing or Snowboarding:
Intermediate/advanced skills are necessary for teaching these activities. Interns will learn how to teach adapted skiing or snowboarding, perform assessment, set goals, determine appropriate lesson activities, and instruct students on beginner, intermediate and advanced trails. NSCD staff will match interns and students together according to their ability level.
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing:
No special skills are necessary for these activities but experience is helpful. Interns will observe and learn some basic skills to teach these activities. Cross-country skiing is taught at Devil's Thumb Nordic Center. Instructors take participants to various locations to snowshoe.

Orientation
Each intern will attend an orientation that will include an introduction to NSCD, a tour of the facility, and the opportunity to meet the staff. At the orientation, interns will receive their uniform, locker and season pass.

Training
It is most advantageous if interns are present to attend volunteer instructor training clinics offered every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday beginning in mid-November and continuing until mid-December. Interns are required to attend one early morning training session each week from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. beginning in January. Sessions are taught by certified instructors and topics will include disability information, teaching techniques, games and exercises, and on-hill training.

Continuing Education Clinics & Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA)
Several continuing education clinics occur throughout the season, and interns are encouraged to attend as many as possible. Interns are encouraged to join PSIA and attend clinics in various disciplines. Certification through PSIA is an option.

Schedule
Winter interns are required to work 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. each day, 4 or 5 days per week (32 - 40 hours per week).

Staff meetings
Interns are required to attend weekly intern meetings and weekly staff meetings.

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Summer Internships

Application deadline for summer internships is February 15. Fill out an application here. (current application is fine.)

Summer Intern Qualifications

• Affiliation with a college or university hospital or rehabilitation center. Interns will be accepted without affiliation by special arrangements.
  
• Must have completed a minimum of junior year of college.
  
• Excellent physical condition with the ability to instruct or lead individuals in outdoor recreation activities.
  
• Current First Aid CPR Certification
  
• Some knowledge of various disabilities
  
• Knowledge of the following activities: fishing, camping, in-line skating, paddle sports, horseback riding, mountain biking, rafting and hiking. Must be willing and able to learn these sports and more.

Duties
The summer season runs from early June through early September. All interns are required to complete a special project of their choice. The supervisor will predetermine a list of special projects. Interns will present their special project to the NSCD staff.

The overall goal of the internship is to allow individuals to perform a complete assessment of students, determine adaptive equipment needs, select set goals and plan lesson, instruct activities, document progress, maintain records, and make recommendations for future lessons. Interns will also gain a working knowledge of the NSCD administration policies and procedures and will be capable of planning, implementing, supervising and leading a program. Interns will have opportunities to be involved in NSCD fundraising events if they choose.

The summer program offers white water rafting, hiking, mountain biking, camping, resort activities, paddle sports, fishing, hiking and therapeutic horseback riding. Every attempt will be made for the interns to be exposed to and work in each of the activities offered. Interns will work primarily as outdoor recreation leaders and instructors along with paid staff members. Interns will assess students and determine necessary adaptive equipment and appropriate activity. Interns will also have some opportunities to work in administration and fundraising. If Interns want to gain more experience with the administration and fundraising departments we can make special arrangements. Interns would need to be here during the off-season months of May, September, or October.

The NSCD works with people who have various special needs. Every attempt will be made for the interns to meet and be trained to work with people who havedifferent diagnoses..

Interns are an integral part of NSCD. It is expected that they conduct themselves in a professional manner and one that reflects positively upon the program and its staff.

Description of Activities
Mountain Biking:
Interns should have intermediate/advanced biking skills. Interns will learn to teach people with disabilities many techniques on how to mountain bike through various trails. These trails consist of paved paths, single tack, steep climbs, rocky terrain, and moderate to steep downhills. A bike ride usually consists of 5 to 20 miles. Our staff will take interns on some of the bike trails during training week. However, Interns may need to learn some of the trails during their own time.

Therapeutic Horseback Riding:
No riding skills are necessary to assist individuals with this activity. However, basic horseback knowledge is helpful. Interns will learn side-walking, leading, tack, and grooming techniques to help participants learn riding skills.

Rafting/ Inflatable Kayaking/ Canoeing:
Knowledge of paddle sports and/or guiding experience is helpful, but not necessary. Our trained staff will teach interns how to paddle on flat water as well as to maneuver down the Colorado River through class one, two and three rapids. Interns will also learn how to assist participants with the activity. When time allows, the staff will teach interns the techniques for guiding rafts, kayaks, and canoes.

Fishing:
Fishing experience is helpful, but not necessary. Our participants use various fishing ponds and streams in the Grand County area. Staff will train interns how to assist participants with casting, baiting and other fishing skills.

Hiking/ Camping:
Interns should have some exposure to hiking. The trails interns will use with NSCD clients vary from wheelchair accessible paths to rocky and steep inclines. NSCD staff will show Interns some of the trails during training week, however we recommend interns learn other trails during their own time. Hiking and camping activities occur at the NSCD accessible campground and throughout Arapahoe National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park. Interns will be asked to participate in some overnight camps.

Resort activities:
No skills are necessary to learn these activities. Winter Park Resort has many activities to offer participants. These include Alpine Slide, Miniature Golf, The Human Maze, and chair lift rides, climbing wall, and in-line skating.

What to bring
(Please bring all the items that you own. NSCD can loan some of these items to interns, however students get first priority).

1. bike
   
2. helmet
   
3. swimsuit or swim shorts
   
4. shoes appropriate for the water (Tevas)
   
5. sunglasses
   
6. in-line skates
   
7. clothes for warm and cool weather
   
8. rain gear, including pants and jacket
9. hiking shoes

Orientation
Each intern will attend an orientation that will include an introduction to the NSCD, a tour of the facility, an opportunity to meet the staff. Interns will also receive their uniform and season pass.

Training
During their first week, interns will attend training programs. Each intern will be assigned one staff member to assist with on-going training and weekly evaluations throughout the summer.

Schedule
Summer interns will be required to work varying schedules or 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. each day, 4 or 5 days per week. Schedules may vary depending on school requirements.

Staff meetings
Interns are required to attend weekly intern meetings and weekly staff meetings.

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