This is quite the statement: The Sierra Club is offering "The Best Internship on Earth." Do we get to tag along with Indiana Jones? The deadline for video entries is March 16, if you dare.
This is the second year for "The Best Internship." It's open to students and recent graduates who want to spend the summer of 2011 as the Sierra Club's Youth Outdoors Ambassador. Wait a minute, ambassador? That sounds like a lot of hand shaking.
Not really. The winner gets to hike, raft and camp on a series of outdoor adventures, in California and other states. OK, how much will it cost me? They actually pay you a $2,500 stipend (if you win), and travel during the internship is included, along with $2,000 worth of North Face and Planet Explore gear.
As part of the gig, you have to create a video blog to document the experience and promote "the importance of giving all young people opportunities to experience the outdoors." For some inspiration, see these videos from the 2010 winner, Evan Geary.
OK, I've heard enough. Where do I apply? Slow down. There's a lot of competition. Think about your application for a moment. And see what's been turned in so far.
"When we launched the Best Internship on Earth last year (2010), we had no idea we would be met with such an overwhelming response," says Sarah Hodgdon, the Sierra Club's conservation director.
"We're excited to see the creativity, energy, and enthusiasm that students are pouring into their application videos. It's inspiring to see how passionate young people are about exploring, enjoying, and protecting the planet."
Juniata River, Pennsylvania. Photo Credit: Harrisburg PA ICO
To apply, you need to submit a 90-second video talking about why you'd be a good fit for the Best Internship on Earth. The www is sierraclub.org/bestinternship.
Some more disclaimers: Students must be at least 18 years old, and currently enrolled in high school or college, or be a recent graduate.
A list of Frequently Asked Questions are here, including the intinerary, which is still being developed, but will include "at least one rafting trip, multiple hikes, a 'volunteer vacation' where you help improve a beautiful park area, and some of the most glorious and spectacular scenery in the country." You have to get yourself to and from San Francisco, California, at the beginning and end of the trip, but everything else is covered, the Sierra folks say.
Grand Canyon, Arizona. Photo Credit: John Melvillea
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