INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY, General I Community Development

The Greater Wichita YMCA Growing Leaders Internship Program is designed to provide students with opportunities to put theory into practice and assess, develop and enhance many of the key competencies needed in the professional workplace through interactions with staff, volunteers, and members of the YMCA.

Educational Program Focus

Through our commitment to community outreach and collaborations with other community-based organizations, we are able to provide well-rounded exposure that can assist interns in developing professional skills to work in any organization.

The following are potential department areas an intern can explore with the Greater Wichita YMCA. Detailed objectives and experiential scope will be adjusted to meet the needs of the intern as well as the requirements identified through the academic institution’s specifications:

• Aquatics: Provides indoor and outdoor aquatics facilities management and instruction experience (outdoor in summer season only).
• Child Care: Provides practical hands-on experience in the delivery and management of licensed child care services.
• Community Development: Provides an opportunity to develop experience in community organizing, public policy and community outreach.
• General Business Management: Provides a broad understanding of general business policy and strategy with subject-specific knowledge in areas such as marketing, finance, information technology, and human resources.
• Wellness & Fitness: Provides a comprehensive fitness management experience encompassing all aspects of directing group exercise and fitness programming for the YMCA.
• Sports Management: Provides an opportunity to develop experience in recreational and advanced programming for youth and adult sports.
• Youth & Family: Provides an opportunity to gain experience in and youth and family programming.
• Dance/Gymnastics Programming: Provides exposure to designing, promoting and teaching youth programs with ages ranging from toddler to teen.

Internship Timelines

Internships will be offered in alignment with academic institution’s pre-determined schedule whenever possible; however, the following general guideline will be used when considering the timeline and length of internships within the association. If an internship is requested outside of the regular academic semester, Human Resources will determine if the internship can be accommodated and will communicate with the person requesting information.

Students who agree to participate in the Growing Leaders Internship program are responsible for learning about the mission, vision, and values of the association, applicable policies and procedures, and for completing conditions of employment requirements.

While actively associated with the Growing Leaders Internship program, interns will also be responsible for:

Completing the Growing Leaders Intern program requirements, to include:

• Signing the Internship Agreement
• Developing Learning Objectives for the internship experience
• Submitting a Weekly Activity Report
• Submitting a Final Evaluation regarding overall internship upon completion of program
• Participating in an in-person, exit interview at the end of the internship.
• Fulfilling the Growing Leaders Internship program, with no significant changes and within the established schedule or timeline.

Our Mission:

To put Christian principles into practice through programs that promote healthy lifestyles, strong families, and positive youth development to build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all regardless of ability to pay.

Our Vision:

The YMCA will change Wichita through leadership in programs that nurture the life-long development of individuals and families

Our Values:

Our values are intended to guide the conduct, actions and decisions of all staff, volunteers and members in their daily interactions:

• Caring – displaying kindness and concern for others and their circumstances
• Respect - exhibiting courtesy, consideration and acknowledgement of others
• Honesty - choosing to be truthful, sincere, and having integrity in the face of diversity and at all times
• Responsibility – being dutiful, accountable, and committed to doing what needs to be done in order to support the mission