The Lake Washington Watershed Internship for Teens-Kelsey Creek or Taylor Placements

We offer volunteer and paid opportunities for teens. All these programs satisfy service learning hours and in addition are a great enhancement to a college or work resume. So, whether you are looking for a short summer experience or a year-long program, we have an outdoor learning opportunity for you.

The Lake Washington Watershed Internship is a year-long (October to September) internship that assists teens to become informed stewards of their local community through mentoring, hands-on learning, restoration and stream monitoring. This program is offered in two different watersheds that fall within the larger Lake Washington watershed. The program at Kelsey Creek in Bellevue and the program at Taylor Creek in South Seattle and Renton are made possible by support from Pacific Science Center, Bellevue Parks & Community Services, REI and Puget Soundkeeper Alliance.

Kelsey Creek Internship:

Highlights of Kelsey Creek Watershed Internship Project:
* Students from Newport High School, Bellevue High School, the International School and Sammamish High participate in the program.
* Interns participate in a water quality monitoring program on Kelsey Creek & Coal Creek, including physical, chemical and biological testing.
* Interns work with the local Bellevue Family YMCA, Elementary After-school programs and Bellevue Boys & Girls Club to deliver fun, interactive activities to 3rd - 5th grader monthly through the spring.
* Interns develop and present lessons on the following topics: watersheds, water cycles, salmon lifecycle, non-point source pollution, animal tracking and more.
* In past years, the students at Somerset Elementary School (a past partner school) created a variety of projects, including a classroom newsletter, a puppet show, a play about pollution, an environmental comic book and more.
* Interns created the "Kelsey Creek Watershed Inventory," a comprehensive research document which provides information on historical, biological, and cultural parameters within the watershed.
* In 2003, the interns and their Mercer Slough mentors created the guidebook, Making Waves: Watershed Education in Your Community, A Handbook for Teens.
* The Lake Washington Watershed Interns continue to participate in the annual nationwide Envirothon. In 2008, the interns finished first in King County and 3rd in State.
* Annually, the Kelsey Creek interns participate in the city-wide Arbor Day event in April. In partnership with Bellevue Parks & Community Services, the Kelsey Creek interns organize and staff a native species planting.
* Every summer, the Lake Washington Watershed interns engaged the general public at Pacific Science Center in informal, hands-on, interactive demonstrations about their local watershed with Discovery Carts.

Taylor Creek Internship:

Highlights of Taylor Creek Watershed Internship Project:
* Students from Cleveland, Southlake, Rainier Beach and Renton High Schools currently participate in the internship program.
* Interns participate in a water quality monitoring program on Taylor Creek, including physical, chemical and biological testing.
* Interns develop and present lessons on the following topics: watersheds, water cycles, salmon lifecycle, non-point source pollution, and more.
* Interns work with fourth and fifth grade students in classes at Dearborn Park, Lakeridge and Van Asselt Elementary School.
* Interns lead elementary school students during field trips to Taylor Creek, where many of the elementary school students have their first experience at a stream or in the woods.
* Interns and elementary school students participate in work parties with Friends of Deadhorse Canyon on the 3rd Saturday of the month.
* Interns and elementary school students created a Metro Bus Shelter mural depicting animal and plant life of Taylor Creek. The bus shelter is installed at the corner of Rainier Ave. South and Henderson Street, just a few blocks from Rainier Beach High School.
* In 2003, interns and their Mercer Slough mentors created the guidebook, Making Waves: Watershed Education in Your Community, A Handbook for Teens.
* The interns at Taylor Creek hosted, along with the Friends of Deadhorse Canyon, an Earth Day celebration at Lakeridge Park on the 3rd Saturday in April.
* Every summer, the Lake Washington Watershed interns engaged the general public at Pacific Science Center in informal, hands-on, interactive demonstrations about their local watershed with Discovery Carts.