Summer Internships

Chicago Adventure Therapy (CAT) uses outdoor adventure sports to help Chicago children, youth, young adults, and families build leadership and social skills, foster empowerment, and create lasting positive change in their communities. We are making the outdoors accessible to communities who have been historically excluded from natural spaces—especially Black, brown, LGBTQ+, and low-income young people. By centering culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices, CAT leverages outdoor adventure as a tool for healing, leadership development, and mental health wellness for all. 

 

We are offering an UNPAID internship designed for students who are interested in adventure therapy, working with marginalized young people in an urban setting. Interns will assist with summer programming aimed at fostering personal growth, team building, and resilience through adventure-based activities. 

  • This internship is open to students who need a field placement, internship, or practicum as part of their academic degree program. 

  • Interested students who do not meet the field placement requirement may arrange this internship as an Independent Study to receive academic credit. 

Internship Highlights: 

  • Gain hands-on experience working with people from underrepresented communities. 

  • Support the planning and execution of adventure therapy sessions that integrate physical and emotional challenges. 

  • Learn therapeutic approaches and techniques in a supportive, real-world environment. 

  • Build valuable skills for a career in social work, education, psychology, or related fields. 

 

Requirements: 

  • Able to commit at least 3 days per week from June 8 – August 14 

  • Able to attend staff meetings and trainings on Friday mornings 

  • Some experience with biking, rock climbing, camping and paddling (while training is provided, you must be able to ride a bike and have some comfort around water and heights) 

  • Experience working with children and/or youth - experience working with under-served or marginalized populations preferred 

  • Interest in psychology and/or youth development  

  • Curiosity about the experiences of under-served and marginalized populations, and desire to learn practices to best serve these groups 

  • A strong commitment to social justice and anti-oppressive practices 

  • Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions (especially heat) and lift up to 50 pounds 

  • Must be able to transport yourself to our office (4539 S Knox Ave, Chicago, IL 60632) 

  • Ability to work independently, collaboratively, and flexibly 

  • Background in outdoor adventure, experiential education, social work and/or community-based youth programming preferred 

 

Benefits: 

  • Receive training (and in some cases, certification) in outdoor sports 

  • Participate in supervision meetings for feedback and professional development 

  • Gain hands-on experience using adventure therapy with under-served populations 

  • Work alongside and learn from fun loving, passionate, and dedicated adventure therapy professionals