Parks for all Forever
Linking Individuals to their Natural Community (LINC) is a summer internship program for high school students based in our spectacular local park lands. The six-week program begins with a 4-day camping trip followed by a variety of local service projects, fun field trips, and useful workshops in which participants gain career and leadership skills. Projects and activities vary by week and include trail work, plant propagation, and habitat restoration. At the conclusion of the program, all participants receive a $1000 cash award.
LINC: Golden Gate - Elsa Calvillo at ecalvillo@parksconservancy.org
LINC: TAM - Grecia Solis Pacheco at gpacheco@parksconservancy.org
Do you enjoy being outside? Are you looking for an adventure and willing to try new things? The LINC summer high school program is ideal for students who are open to new experiences, eager to learn new skills, and enjoy working outside. No previous experience is necessary—just an ample supply of enthusiasm.
All applicants must be currently enrolled in high school. Current high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors are all welcome to apply to the program.
What if I have never camped before?
No previous camping experience is needed to participate in the LINC program. Our leaders will teach you all you need to know, and will create an accessible and fun environment for everyone excited to sleep outside under the stars. All gear and meals will be provided for the overnight trips.
The program consists of two teams, one in Marin County (LINC: Tam) and another team based in San Francisco (LINC: Golden Gate). Each team consists of 17-20 participants who meet each morning at our park offices. With the exception of the overnight camping trip, students work 8 hour days, 4 days per week (Tuesday thru Friday) for a total of 6 weeks.
What are the dates of the program?
Generally, the program starts in mid-June and ends the last week of July or the first week of August.
Is transportation provided?
Once students arrive at the office, all transportation to the field sites is provided. The LINC: Golden Gate team provides a morning carpool from the Civic Center Bart Station to our office at Fort Mason. For LINC: Tam, the Golden Gate transit Larkspur bus stop is within walking distance of the MMWD headquarters.
LINC interns provide a wide variety of service for the parklands and local open space. Past projects have included maintaining trails, growing plants at our native plant nurseries, creating habitat for endangered species, restoring historic sailing ships, and building fences to protect sensitive park sites. These service projects vary each year depending on park priorities and project availability.
Field trips and workshops vary can from year to year depending on scheduling opportunities. Students in years past have gone on ropes courses and taken behind-the-scenes tours at Alcatraz. Through workshops, LINC participants will get the chance to develop personal resumes, learn medicinal uses of California native plants, and more!
The LINC program does not cost anything. Youth who complete the LINC program will receive a cash award of $1000. Limited funding is available to offset commute expenses for those who qualify.
All gear and meals will be provided for the overnight trips.
Please click on the LINC Application button to get started. The application is three pages (intended to be easy), and includes the following short essay question:
Why does this summer experience interest you?
Your response must be 100 - 250 words. We also require at least on reference (i.e. coach, teacher, counselor, mentor, etc.).
Read this FAQ for tips on how to prepare for the interview.
More than ever, people are thankful for parks. Now is your chance to give them twice as much gratitude. From now until December 31 your special gift to the Parks Conservancy will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $250,000!
