Summer Internship Program: Cumberland County

Primary Program Area Focus:  4-H and ANR  

1. Describe your plans for this internship. (What specifically will the intern do?)

The intern will work with Cumberland Extension Faculty and Staff to support the unit’s summer program.  He or she will provide assistance:

• Processing camp applications and maintaining the camp database.
• Working with agents in the camping cluster to develop and deliver lessons to teen leaders on teamwork, leadership, communication, and camp policies.
• During class sign-ups, camper/parent orientation, and camper check-in and sign-out.
• Planning and implementing day camp programs.
• Developing and implementing the Agriculture and Natural Resource programs.
• Managing the Cumberland County Extension Learning and Demonstration Gardens.
• Attending farm visits with ANR agent and partnering organizations to access producer’s needs.
• Managing weekly food orders through the Center for Rural Culture Local Food Cooperative
  
• Assisting with grading, handling, and marketing of feeder calves during annual value-added local feeder calf sale.

2. Describe the knowledge/skills you expect the intern to gain from this experience.

Through this experience, the intern will gain knowledge and skills in the following areas:

• The development of educational materials and programs designed to meet identified needs of the community.
• Presentation, teaching, and public speaking.
• Program evaluation.
• Implementation of programs designed to meet the needs of youth appropriate to their ages and stages.
• Working as a member of a team to meet goals in a fast-paced environment.
• Time management and prioritization of tasks.
• Subject matter knowledge in youth development, nutrition, agriculture and natural resources, and local foods systems.
• Networking and Professional Connections

3. How will the intern learn about the breadth of VCE and our various program areas?

As a member of the Cumberland Extension team, the intern will learn about VCE’s various program areas by working and learning from professionals in the field.  The intern will be expected to work with the 4-H Agent Linda Eanes), the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent (Amber Anderson), the Family and Consumer Science Agent, (Pauline Stokes), and the Food and Nutrition Program Educator, (Christine Knowsley) to learn how each program area offers educational programs that support the local community.  The intern’s work responsibility will be divided between all program areas to give the most varied educational experience. The Intern will also accompany VCE Faculty on planning and administrative meetings in order to network with other VCE Units and partnering organizations and agencies. Through these opportunities, the intern will learn how Virginia Cooperative Extension plans, implements, and evaluates programs to meet identified needs and improve the lives of Virginians. The intern will get a holistic view of the Extension profession.