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Youth & Family Learning Engagement Intern

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Grand Rapids, MI, USA

Posted on Apr 15, 2026
Position: Youth & Family Learning Engagement Intern
Location: Grand Rapids, MI
Job Id: 800
# of Openings: 2
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park promotes the enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of gardens, sculpture, the natural environment, and the arts. Meijer Gardens is ranked among the 100 most visited art institutions in the world. The organization embraces the concept of a major cultural attraction centering around horticulture & sculpture. Meijer Gardens' commitment is to create a legacy of lifelong learning, enjoyment, and a rich cultural experience for generations to come.
Department: Learning Engagement
Supervisor: Youth Learning Engagement Manager
This is a paid internship, paid bi-weekly.
Schedule and Duration:
This position averages approximately 32 hours per week.
Dates of Employment: June 1 – August 15
Shifts: Primarily weekdays (8:00 AM–4:00 PM, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM, or 1:00–9:00 PM)
Weekend Expectation: Two weekend shifts per month (9:00 AM–5:00 PM or 1:00–9:00 PM)
Required Weekend Dates:
June: 20
July: 18
August: 15
All interns must be available for a minimum of 10 weeks between June and August and participate in the required internship program sessions. These sessions are held every Wednesday for 3 hours and are included as part of your weekly schedule.
Position Summary: The Youth & Family Learning Engagement Intern will support the development and coordination of Youth & Family Programs while gaining experience in museum- and garden-based education. Over the course of the summer, the intern will assist with program preparation, observe and support existing programs, and help develop a proposal for a new Youth & Family Learning Engagement Program (either paid or public). Through this experience, the intern will learn how programs are designed, planned, and implemented within a public garden and museum setting.
Essential Functions
  • Assist with program preparation, setup, and coordination for Youth & Family Programs throughout the summer.
  • Support Summer Camps, LMCG Summer Programs, and Drop-in Exhibition Programs while observing program structure, facilitation, and audience engagement.
  • Help prepare and organize materials, activity kits, art supplies, and instructional materials in advance of programs.
  • Assist with daily setup and breakdown of camp and program spaces, including arranging tables, tools, and materials.
  • Help maintain and organize program supply inventories; assist with restocking materials as needed.
  • Provide logistical support to educators during Summer Camps and Drop-in Exhibition Programs, including preparing materials between sessions.
  • Assist with facilitating hands-on activities for children and families under staff guidance.
  • Support coordination of LMCG Summer Programs and help prepare and reset activity stations during weekend Drop-in Exhibition Programs.
  • Help coordinate Learning Engagement and supporting activities in the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden during open late hours.
  • Assist in maintaining clean, organized, and engaging program spaces for guests and participants.
  • Engage with staff, volunteers, and guests in a friendly, professional manner while representing the Learning Engagement team.
  • Take initiative in learning about program development by asking questions and observing staff practices.
Learning Outcomes:
  • Gain hands-on experience supporting youth and family program operations and development within a museum and garden setting.
  • Build organizational skills by assisting with preparing materials, managing supplies, and maintaining program spaces.
  • Learn logistical and operational support techniques for educational programs, camps, and public events.
  • Develop teamwork and communication skills by assisting and observing educators, staff, and volunteers.
  • Understand the workflow and coordination required to support successful youth and family programs.
  • Gain experience in program research, proposal development, and aligning programs with audience needs and organizational mission.
  • Develop professional skills, including initiative, observation, and guest engagement, through hands-on support.
  • Strengthen presentation and communication skills by contributing to the program proposal and final presentation.
Requirements:
  • Enrolled in a trade, degree, or certificate program at an accredited institution.
  • Available for a minimum of 10 weeks of in-person intern programming in Grand Rapids, MI
  • Ability to commit to scheduled work hours and program requirements.
  • Strong interest in learning and professional development.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with diverse audiences.
  • Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Education, Museum Studies, Early Childhood Education, Arts Education, Horticulture/Plant Sciences, or a related field.
  • Students from other fields with a strong interest in youth and family program support and museum/garden education are also encouraged to apply.
Organizational Expectations
  • Welcoming: Fostering joy and an inclusive and accessible environment for everyone.
  • Excellence: Approaching all we do with world-class intentionalism.
  • Innovation: Embracing the future to create unique and engaging experiences in art, culture and nature with a commitment to creativity.
  • Integrity: Operating with honesty, transparency and accountability throughout the organization.
  • Stewardship: Preserving and enhancing our community, physical, cultural, and financial resources for current and future generations.
Working Conditions: Basic mobility is expected in offices, grounds, and exhibition areas. Ability to observe details at close range and communicate information accurately with others. Engage in occasional object manipulation with or without assistance, and efficiently navigate the workspace to access essential resources. Ability to regularly move up to 20 pounds and frequently up to 50 pounds (i.e., load, unload, and move supplies, medium to heavy weight tools, and equipment). Occasionally ascends/descends a ladder. This job operates in a professional indoor office environment, across grounds, and exhibition areas. Occasionally, may be required to work outdoors under inclement weather conditions.
As part of our onboarding process, all new hires are required to complete our background check.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
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