



Pathways Internship Program
Are you interested in learning more about careers in the outdoors?
Pathways internships are paid opportunities offered by Three Rivers Park District that provide young people, particularly those facing barriers to employment, real-world experiences to explore a career in parks and recreation.
The Pathways Internship Program provides an opportunity to explore a specific career area within the Park District and build career readiness skills at Development Days throughout the summer.
Program Details
- Duration: June through August.
- Hours of work: Approximately 20 hours per week.
- Scheduling: Varies, based on position. As Three Rivers Park District operates seven days a week, some interns may work exclusively on weekdays (M–F) or they may have some weekend shifts.
- Pay: Minimum of $15 an hour.
Internship Areas
Browse all internship opportunities below or navigate directly to your area of interest:
Transportation Assistance
The Three Rivers Park District Foundation provides transportation scholarships to Pathways Interns when the ability to find reliable transportation impacts their participation in a Pathways Internship or activities associated with their internship.
- For interns 18 years of age or older, the transportation scholarship is administered through Lyft.
- For interns under 18 years old, an Uber teens account is available with the support of a guardian. We will work with the intern and their guardian to set this up.
For more information on this opportunity or to discuss transportation barriers, please email Char Myers or Terrell Lhotka.
The online application for our 2025 Pathways Internships is now open! You can submit your application below.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applying early ensures your best chance for consideration.
Key Dates
- First-round priority deadline: March 16
- Second-round priority deadline: April 13
- Then, filled on a rolling basis
Education and Recreation Internships
Our education opportunities include working at one of our Nature Centers or other programming sites where you will help staff deliver high-quality, education and recreation programs to students and the public.
- Camp Internships
Baker Outdoor Learning Center (Maple Plain)
As an Outdoor Education Intern at the Baker Outdoor Learning Center, you will assist naturalist staff with archery, canoeing, fire-making, geocaching and other outdoor education programs.
The focus of this internship will be on summer camps. The BOLC offers both day and overnight summer camps for youth ages 10-15 and also offers family camps.
You will assist camp staff where you will engage and inspire youth in the outdoors (and have fun!).
- Minimum age: 16 years old
Mississippi Gateway Regional Park (Brooklyn Park)
As an Explorers Camp Intern at Mississippi Gateway, you will be helping to create positive experiences in nature for BIPOC audiences in the community.
You will work with professional environmental educators and assist them in leading nature-based summer day camps in parks, schools, and neighborhood sites for elementary-aged kids.
Programs will focus on both outdoor recreation and nature education, such as archery, fire building, learning about plants and bugs and so much more.
- Minimum age: 15 years old
- Farm Education Internships
Gale Woods Farm (Minnetrista)
Farm Intern
As the Pathways Intern at Gale Woods, you will have the opportunity to assist with farm education programs for all ages of visitors. These programs give people the opportunity to experience life on a working farm and learn about where their food comes from.
The intern will also work in the gardens and help with the care of feeding of our livestock including chickens, sheep, pigs and cattle.
- Minimum age: 16 years old
- Outdoor Education Internships
Eastman Nature Center (Maple Grove) – One position available
Lowry Nature Center (Victoria) – Two positions available
Outdoor Education Interns at Three Rivers nature centers will assist with nature education programs for visitors of all ages.
The focus will be placed on the summer camp programs, where you will help the naturalists engage and inspire the wonder of nature in children.
Mississippi Gateway Regional Park (Brooklyn Park)
As an Outdoor Education Intern at Mississippi Gateway, you will get real-world experience at a nature center. You'll work with professional naturalists to lead educational programs in the park and in the community.
You will assist with summer day-camp programs for elementary-aged kids. Programs will focus on both outdoor recreation and nature education, such as archery, biking, macroinvertebrates in the Mississippi River and birding.
- Minimum age: 14 years old
- Outdoor Recreation Internships
French Regional Park (Plymouth) and Cleary Lake Regional Park (Prior Lake) – Two positions available
The Outdoor Recreation School (ORS) is based at French Regional Park and Cleary Lake Regional Park. ORS offers outdoor recreation programs for visitors of all ages throughout many park locations within Three Rivers Park District. We inspire a love of the outdoors through active recreation activities like paddling, archery, fishing, summer camps for youth, adapted recreation and much more.
ORS interns will work approximately 20 hours per week. Their schedule will include weekday, evening and/or weekend shifts at various park locations. ORS staff and the interns will work together to create a work schedule that meets the interests of the interns and the park locations that are most convenient.
- Minimum age: 16 years old
Park Maintenance and Natural Resources Internships
Our maintenance opportunities allow you learn what goes into keeping our parks and facilities looking beautiful.
Meanwhile, our natural resources opportunity provides field experience with restoring and protecting native plant communities, promoting wildlife diversity, and monitoring and improving water quality across the park system.
- Carpentry Services Internship
Elm Creek Park Reserve (Plymouth) or Silverwood Park (St. Anthony)
As a Carpentry Services Intern, you'll have a great opportunity to explore a career working in the construction trades in a large park system.
You will learn from Journeyman Carpenters the use of hand and power tools, routine equipment operation and maintenance. Work will include site prep and clean-up along with maintaining the facilities in a clean, safe manner.
- Minimum age: 18 years old
- Natural Resources Internship
French Regional Park (Plymouth)
As the Natural Resources intern based out of the Field Operations Center, you will assist field staff from our invasive species, wildlife, water quality, forestry and horticulture programs with projects throughout the Park District. This rotational experience will provide an overview of the work this department engages in to keep our park reserves and undeveloped areas restored and maintained in a natural state.
Field projects could include vegetation surveys, invasive species mapping and removal, tree planting, native landscape maintenance, lake and stream sampling, wildlife and insect surveys, seed collection and plant nursery propagation.
Most of the work will be outdoors, with some limited office tasks planned for inclement weather. This role is part of the dynamic natural resources team, committed to stewardship of the Park District’s natural resources and ecosystems.
Note: While you do not need your own car for this role, a driver's license is preferred to operate district vehicles.
- Minimum age: 18 years old
Park Operations Internships
Our park operations opportunities include working at one of our park locations to help provide a great experience for our guests. These opportunities could include working at one our visitor center locations or golf courses.
- Facility Services Internships
French Regional Park (Plymouth)
Fish Lake Regional Park (Maple Grove)In the past, Pathways Interns have gained job experience in the field at recreational locations within the park. We staff the Visitor Center, Gatehouses, and Boat Rental Facilities. On top of regular shifts, the intern has worked independently on a Milestone project to present at the end of the program.
During this time, we explore options of developmental opportunities throughout the Park District and with other departments.
- Minimum age: 16 years old
- Public Safety Internships
Baker Park Reserve (Medina)
As a Public Safety Intern, you will get real-world experience working inside a police department. You will assist the Public Safety Coordinator, Chief and Officers with day-to-day tasks. You will also get experience handling questions, problems and payments from the public.
This would be a great opportunity for anyone looking for a future career in law enforcement or any career in customer service.
- Minimum age: 18 years old
Community Events, Outreach and Technology Internships
Our events, outreach and technology interns will work side-by-side with our staff who help promote and support Three Rivers Park District.
- Community Engagement Internship
French Regional Park (Plymouth)
As the Community Engagement Intern you will assist staff in introducing new audiences to camping, biking and other nature-based activities.
Interns in this role will start each work day at French Regional Park, but will work primarily at other park locations and even outside of the Park District helping to facilitate activities to audiences of all ages.
Interns will receive training to help lead a variety of recreation activities, will help with gear maintenance and management, and will also represent Three Rivers at community events talking with the public about opportunities available through the parks.
- Minimum age: 15 years old
- Donor Relations Internship
Administrative Center (Plymouth)
Are you looking to make a difference while building your skills in communication, creativity, and relationship-building? Join our Donor Relations team as a Pathways Intern!
You'll play a key role in developing heartfelt ways to thank our amazing donors and volunteers by crafting meaningful opportunities for connection. This is your chance to bring your ideas to life, create memorable moments and learn the ins and outs of donor relations.
Whether you're into writing, organizing events or just love connecting with people, this opportunity is perfect for anyone who wants to make an impact while gaining valuable experience. Plus, you'll get to work with a fun and supportive team that values your input!
- Minimum age: 16 years old
- Event Services: Signature and Community Events Internships
Administrative Center (Plymouth) – Two positions available
As an Event Services Intern, you will have the opportunity to work at a large variety of outdoor events, and participate in learning experiences in an office environment to learn about marketing, event planning and environmental education. The internship provides the opportunity to connect with the community at farmers markets, festivals, expos and Park District events.
At our Community Events Booth, you would be responsible for promoting the Park District’s programs, trails and events through promotional materials and engaging activities. You will also assist with Signature Event preparations and prepare Community Event activity kits and research.
As a part of the Events team, you will earn skills in time management, organization, event planning and networking.
- Minimum age: 16 years old
- IT/GIS Internships
Administrative Center (Plymouth) – Two positions available
IT/GIS interns will assist IT and GIS Staff in carrying out Help Desk tasks and other field work to help the Park District achieve its technological goals.
Duties may include, but are not limited to: setup of computers/IT equipment, assisting users calling the IT Help Desk and using GPS equipment/GIS applications to collect park features, as well as operating a 3D camera to scan park facilities.
- Minimum age: 16 years old
- Marketing Internships
Administrative Center (Plymouth) – Two positions available
Get creative with the Three Rivers marketing team! As the Marketing Intern, you'll have a wonderful opportunity to be part of a collaborative, fun and engaging group.
This role will assist with writing digital and print pieces, developing social media content, brainstorming and building marketing campaigns, and much more. As part of the marketing crew, you’ll be invited to join marketing team meetings and experiences to learn more about this exciting and creative world.
- Minimum age: 16 years old
- Organizational Development Internship
Administrative Center (Plymouth)
Are you ready to make an impact while gaining experience in organizational development? Join our Human Resources team as an Organizational Development Intern!
This is your opportunity to work on projects like creating onboarding videos for seasonal staff, designing mentoring program content, and contributing to micro-learning modules. Gain valuable experience, learn about parks and rec and help enhance a positive workplace culture.
Contact Us For More Information
Have questions? Please email Char Myers or Terrell Lhotka.
Other Opportunities for Teens
Three Rivers offers tons of opportunities for teens to get involved, including volunteer programs, jobs and internships and job shadowing.
Related Blog Posts
My Summer as a Pathways Intern
By: Alex Carey
Learn what it was like to be part of the Pathways program through the eyes of Alex, Mississippi Gateway Regional Park’s outdoor education intern this summer.
Pathways Into the Parks
By: Harshita Somani
The Pathways Internship program introduces teenagers to various roles throughout Three Rivers Park District, giving them an opportunity to explore different career paths. Follow along with Harshita Somani, the 2021 marketing intern, as she relays her experience in the program this summer.