To apply:  fill out the on-line Summer Staff/Spring Intern Application and contact Laura Statesir.  Be sure to mention that you are applying for a "SPRING INTERN" position and not for summer staff.

JOB DESCRIPTION

For the spring of 2009 we are looking for five individuals who would like to serve as Work Bosses here at Pico Escondido.  These individuals need to be in college or have completed high school.  Pico Escondido has been constructed largely through the labor and funds of work teams from the US.  Each spring Pico hosts several weeks of work teams to help us with construction and maintenance.  These teams typically consist of college and/or high school students who choose to spend their spring break serving at Pico.  The spring intern work bosses help to supervise small groups of the work team members (3-7 people) in a work project.  The work project could be anything from landscaping a garden, to building a wheelchair ramp, to painting, etc.  Although experience in construction and landscaping is helpful, it is more important that you can encourage, guide, and motivate your work group.  Please be aware that while you will have interaction with Dominican kids from time to time, your time with us will mostly consist of directing and loving on work team members from the US.

During the day you will work alongside this group, motivating them when they are tired, making decisions about the project itself, and building relationships with them (the best part).  Sometimes you will have a very motivated and energetic group that you have to keep from working too hard, and sometimes you will have a tired, complaining group that does nothing but talk.  You are leading them in the construction project, as well as leading them spiritually; sharing with them who you are in Christ.  At the end of the day, you'll be in charge of making sure your project is cleaned up and you'll have a short meeting with our construction supervisor.  Then you'll have some down time before dinner.

When a team is at camp, you will share all your meals with them, giving you more time to build relationships.  At night there will usually be some sort of evening meeting, with praise & worship, a game, speaker, whatever.  You are encouraged to participate in this time with the team, and afterwards you can hang out or go to bed.

When we don't have teams at camp, you will be doing a variety of things which could include: continuing working on construction projects with the other interns, doing a homestay with a Dominican family for a couple of nights, adventure trips, a day of solitude, etc.  These times will be great bonding experiences for you and the other interns and the staff.  They are also great times spiritually, as you should have lots of time with the Lord.
 

COSTS

What will it cost me?  Everything!  You will never be the same after an experience like this!  Unlike Young Life properties in the US, Pico Escondido does not enjoy capital surpluses to help offset the expenses of hosting volunteer laborers.  For this reason, it is necessary for spring interns to pay set fees to cover their in-country costs.  However, Young Life makes it possible for you to raise these funds through tax-deductible donations.  We will guide you through each step of this process and you will be amazed at how the Lord raises up a "team" of supporters to stand behind your mission!

For the spring of 2009, you will need to raise $800 for your in-country costs plus a $75 administrative fee and you will be required to cover your own airfare costs.  You may be able to fundraise your airfare through your church.  The Dominican Republic also requires you to pay a $10 entrance fee.  Any money for additional travel either before or after your spring intern session, gifts, souvenirs, or daily extras (sodas, trips to town, etc) will be each individual's responsibility.

If you are accepted to be a Spring Intern, we will send you a thorough packet of information to help you write fundraising "support" letters and generate donations in other ways.  Please do not let costs or fundraising be a deterrent to your involvement!  It is a wonderful exercise in faith and a great way to see the Lord's faithfulness.