Summer Staff Position

A PT summer holds experiences that you will never forget: dancing, laughing, realizing a passion, witnessing the profound love of God.

Here’s a quick overview of what our interns do:

• Plan and lead a summer day camp for children
• Live in intentional Christian community with other young adult interns
• Learn from Christ-centered church and community leaders
• Explore faith in action

In many ways working with Project Transformation in the summer program exceeds participating in a summer job and crosses into a summer life. The time expectations can be great, but the potential for personal rewards that come from this kind of commitment are even greater. While much is expected of each intern, much is given in return in the form of love from children and families, support and fun from the community, and the energy created by exploring your own personal potential to impact the world around you.

There’s no way we ever could fully explain a PT summer, so feel free to reach out to us. Email Ellie Crain at crain@pttennessee.org with any questions.

You can also view a sample intern weekly schedule here.

Responsibilities

1. Facilitate Summer Program
   • Complete Intern Training that covers Project Transformation curriculum, restorative practices, diversity and inclusion, and sexual assault prevention
   • Participate on a team of young adults, attending morning huddles, facilitating children’s program components, coordinating volunteer support, and regularly meeting with host church staff
   • Individually and collaboratively plan activities for children and youth including daily programming as well as Family Fun Nights
   • Maintain a clean, fun, and safe program environment in accordance with our safe practice and Safe Sanctuary policies
   • Fill out and turn in required paperwork in a timely manner
   • Communicate regularly with Site Coordinator regarding child behavior, supply needs, safety concerns, etc.
2. Build Intentional Relationships
   • Support and encourage teammates and other interns
   • Interact positively with program participants and their parents
   • Build relationships with host and partner churches
3. Engage in Vocational Discernment
   • Attend Friday Experiences
   • Reflect on offerings from speakers, participating in small group conversations
   • Network with volunteers, outside speakers, other interns
   • Communicate regularly with House Pastor
4. Commit to Spiritual Development
   • Participate in morning devotions, weekly worship experiences
   • Recognize that your voice is valuable in worship spaces, no matter your religious background
   • When there are opportunities to lead, lean in!

Service Opportunity Details

Summer Program Interns work on a team of college age young adults to plan, facilitate, and manage a fun and structured summer program! We build these teams by grouping interns together based on their strengths, interests, and personalities. The following list should give you an idea of the passions we strive to include on each team:

• Young Artists Coordinator – This PT Intern is never short of colored pencils or good dance moves! The Young Artists Coordinator runs the program that supports child learning in visual arts, theater, creative writing, poetry, music, dance, and more! It’s the Young Artists Coordinator’s job to spark creativity in children, help them learn new and fun ways of self-expression, build self-confidence, and gain an appreciation of the arts.  
• Movement Minutes Coordinator – This PT Intern is usually referred to as “Coach” and will most definitely need a whistle on their lanyard. The Movement Minutes Coordinator runs the physical activity part of the summer program. (Basketball, Sharks and Minnows, and Freeze Tag are just a few of our favorite games.) It’s this intern’s job to promote wellness and healthy living, build teamwork, and increase self-confidence among children!   
• Team Captain – This PT Intern knows each child’s strengths and needs like the back of their hand. The Team Captain stays with their group of children for the entire day, supporting the Reading, Art, and Movement Coordinator interns during their instruction time. It’s the Team Captain’s role to support and encourage learning in all areas…and come up with really fun chants for their group i.e. “WHERE MY PINK PANTHERS AT? RIGHT HERE! RIGHT HERE!“  
• Middle School Program Intern – Middle School interns create a fun, high-energy, relational environment for youth (middle schoolers) to feel safe, build confidence, and cultivate leadership through engaging activities. Interns are responsible for implementing curriculum that nurtures belonging and fosters a love for reading through STEAM activities, project-based learning, and creative arts. Program components include: icebreakers, discussion circles, independent reading, TAG time, book clubs and journaling. We all know that middle school is tough, so join us as we make it better! 

New applicants can apply to serve as a Reading Coordinator, facilitating our literacy interventions with early readers. You can learn more about the Reading Coordinator position here. Returning applicants can apply to serve as a Site Coordinator, leading and empowering a team of interns at a specific summer program site. You can learn more about the Site Coordinator position here. New and returning applicants can apply to serve as a House Pastor. You can learn more the House Pastor position here.

Details

Compensation: $3,600 + most meals + housing

Dates: May 25, 2025 – July 25, 2025. This includes training and 8 weeks of summer day camp.

Placement locations: Clarksville, Memphis, Murfreesboro, or Nashville

*Interns are required to stay at their community housing location Sunday through Friday evenings. 

Application Process

Are you up for this?  Apply today!  Competitive applicants will be dynamic young adults who:

• Desire to serve God and neighbor
• Believe in laughter, dancing, and life beyond comfort zones
• Get excited about new people and experiences
• Are willing to sit with the unknown
• Want to harness their skills to make an impact
• Have hope for a better world

Contact information for 3 references are required for new applicants to complete the application. References may be a clergy person, employer, professor, coach, or someone else who knows you well, but they should not be family members or friends. Applicants must have completed one year of college or be at least 19 years old before the internship begins, and must have the legal right to work in the U.S.

Please note: The summer intern position classification is non-exempt, seasonal, salaried.