National Park Service Youth Conservation and Internship Programs

The National Park Service provides comprehensive summer and year-round internship opportunities aimed primarily at youth and young adults aged 15 to 30, including recent graduates and veterans up to age 35. These programs offer substantive experiences across diverse disciplines including archaeology, environmental science, arts, history, and public engagement, designed to help participants build skills and explore career paths in natural and cultural resource conservation. Among the offerings is the Youth Conservation Corps for teenagers, offering summer conservation duties typically non-residential, except at select locations like Yellowstone National Park where residential options exist. Other initiatives include paid internships that deliver specialized training in fields such as engineering, historic preservation, and community planning. Stipends and housing help lower barriers to participation, and partnerships with conservation and educational organizations broaden access and support. These opportunities emphasize professional growth, fieldwork, education, and public service in protected lands and historic sites across the United States.