Internship in Social Emotional Learning

Since 2017, Rockbrook Camp has made available paid internships designed for students actively pursuing careers in youth related fields (e.g., Education, Psychology, Child Development, Social Work, etc.). Focused on social-emotional learning (SEL), this program provides student interns hands-on experience directly applicable for working with youth in the classroom, nonprofit,  state/federal, and other environments.

Set in the residential community of Rockbrook Camp for Girls, in Brevard, NC, interns serve as cabin counselors and live with a small group of children, interacting with them continuously, and helping them navigate the social and emotional landscape of a small community. Interns have the opportunity to observe, research and apply techniques on a topic of their choice, such as emotional triggers, engaging with diversity, managing conflict, inter- and intra-personal interactions, and other cognitive milestones.

The internship begins with a week-long, staff orientation and training that introduces interns to a range of strategies for meeting the social and emotional needs of children, as well as what it means to be a cabin counselor at Rockbrook Camp. Interns devote their second, third, and fourth program weeks to helping improve children’s self-awareness, self-management, social-awareness, and relationship skills. Interns focus on an on-site case study in their fifth week, and spend their final program week preparing a presentation to peers and program leaders.

Throughout the internship, interns meet weekly with an internship advisor and mentors to review their week’s work, discuss issues, and share ideas that will grow their developing identities as Youth Development professionals. Rockbrook’s SEL Internship also provides the flexibility to be structured in accordance to specific college/university internship requirements for those who are pursuing college credit.