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Internships
UrbanPromise’s internship program provides college-aged adults with year-round or summertime training in urban youth development and ministry. Interns work in our after-school and summer camps and live in community in the Camden neighborhood in which they work. Their role at UrbanPromise is essential to our organization’s operational and programmatic success as they work on a volunteer basis and act as positive role models to the children and teens in their camps.
Their role at UrbanPromise is essential to our organization’s operational and programmatic success as they work on a volunteer basis and act as positive role models to the children and teens in their camps. We combine hands-on training with classes on youth ministry to empower interns to effectively mentor children and teens.
Although very similar, the year-round and summer internship programs vary in the opportunities offered to intern participants as outlined below.
UrbanPromise also offers customized practicums for both the summer and school-year internships. Our staff will work closely with the intern/student and university to design a practicum that meets the service learning and/or degree requirements needed.
Our Admissions Process
Application
Interview
Admission
Preparation
STEP 1
Prospective interns can begin the application process by submitting a complete application.
STEP 2
You will be invited to schedule a phone interview will with our Internship Coordinator.
STEP 3
A formal invitation to join our internship team will be made pending the completion of the following: background check form (with payment), physical form, proof of medical insurance, and copy of valid photo ID.
STEP 4
You will receive a welcome packet with everything you need to know about UrbanPromise. Our team will also create a personal online fundraising page for you to begin fundraising to underwrite the cost of your internship to the ministry.
Each activity of UrbanPromise’s year-round program is grounded in the following values and themes:
Service
Although they receive a small stipend for basic living expenses, interns volunteer as staff in UrbanPromise’s after-school and summer camps. Their role is primarily focused on planning for and teaching camp classes that include arts and crafts, Bible study, homework help, recreation, and performing arts.
Diversity
Interns work and live in diverse communities. The neighborhoods in which they work are culturally and ethnically diverse; the families of many camp youth are non-English speakers or recent immigrants to the United States. In relation to living space, interns are grouped based on their neighborhood camp and live with program participants from across the country and world.
Leadership
Participants in the internship program utilize and develop leadership skills through their work in an often challenging environment, engagement in weekly classes and discussions, and responsibility to respond to the needs of others—the youth they serve as well as fellow interns. Classes relate to various aspects of ministry, leadership, poverty, and culture and include guest speakers, film viewings, and assigned readings.
Sample Schedule:
9:00-10:30 a.m. – Class on urban ministry
10:45-11:30 a.m. – Group exercise
12:00 p.m. – Community lunch
1:30-3:00 p.m. – Prep for after-school camp
3:00-5:30 p.m. – Camp
5:30-6:00 p.m. – Take campers home
6:30-7:00 p.m. – Dinner
7:00-9:00 p.m. – Home visits/teen tutoring/drama and skits
Year-Round Dates to Remember
Year-round Application Deadline
Rolling admission
Year-round 2019 Internship
September 9, 2019–May 24, 2020
Year-round 2020 Internship
September 8, 2020–May 23, 2021
Summer Internships
While also based in these themes, the summer program is much more fast-paced and mainly focused on implementing a dynamic summer camp experience for hundreds of Camden youth. Summer interns help lead the six-week camp schedule, which includes two meals for children, fun and engaging classes and activities, weekly trips, and All Camp Day—the last day of the season during which camps compete in various contests and games.
Summer interns also live with each other in the community in which they work, participate in classes related to urban ministry, and engage in worship services. They are an integral part of our summer camp program as their participation allows UrbanPromise to continue offering summer camps to Camden children at no cost to them.
Sample Schedule:
8:00-9:00 a.m. – Report to camp site/prep for day
9:00-9:30 a.m. – Campers arrive/serve breakfast
9:30-10:00 a.m. – Opening program
10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. – Recreation/arts and crafts/Bible class
12:00-12:30 p.m. – Lunch
12:30-2:30 p.m. – “Bible Buddies” discipleship group/basketball league
2:30-3:00 p.m. – Take campers home
Late afternoons and evenings consist of urban youth classes, devotionals, and fellowship.
I don’t know many 24-year-old women who would board an airplane from Uganda and fly for 24 hours to arrive in a completely unknown place, committed to working with children and teens. But that’s exactly...
