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Past Interns

Meredith Mastell
Background: BSN (Bachelors of Science in Nursing) Xavier 08
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Term:  Summer 06

As a nursing major at Xavier University, I got linked to The Imago Earth Center through Xavier’s Summer Service Internship.  We seemed to be a great fit right away; I love being outside, playing with children, and learning new things.  From June through August I got to be involved with some traveling programs, story times, Nature Hikes, and particularly the summer camps at Imago.  My projects were the Girl Scout Camp days, Artists’ Workshop, Earth Olympics, and three separate Adventure Camps.  Every day of my summer was spent planning, organizing, testing out materials, and actually working at the camps.  I drove a minivan of kids, played intense games of capture the flag, primed a wall for a mural, organized a bookshelf of art materials, and planned snacks so that day after day the camps were fun and ran smoothly.  My time at Imago was not only spent with children or teenagers, but also the amazing staff.  I could not have asked for a better group of people to work with.  Their optimism, humor, and dedication are contagious.  Working here at the Earth Center has filled me with positive energy and insights about nonprofit work, ecology, environmental education, and in general how to interact with kids.  I also learned about myself and my own passions, and will take all the insight and knowledge gained here and carry it into my everyday life.

Adrian Beck-Oliver
Background BScH Environmental Science, Acadia University 'o4
Hometown Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada
Term Fall '04, Winter/Spring '05

If I had to sum up my Imago experience in 1 word it would be diversity. Diversity of personal projects, diversity of programs taught, diversity of experiences, and diversity of people I taught. For projects, I wrote a grant, designed and edited 3 quarterly member newsletters, compiled a habitat restoration field guide, and developed, researched, marketed, and presented a 3 part adult sustainability workshop series. Also, in addition to all the wonderful teaching experiences, I gained experience office managing and being involved in the inner workings of a non-profit. As I had previously been involved in starting a non-profit organization, this was a very insightful experience to see how a successful organization functions once it is off the ground. Because of this diversity, my Imago internship was directly relevant for me getting my next position as Canvas Director with the Fund for Public Interest Research. If you have any questions about my education, enlightening, and fun Imago experience feel free to contact me.
Erin DeLaney
Background BS Middle Childhood Education, Xavier '05
Hometown Toledo, OH
Term Summer '04

I was a summer intern at the Imago Earth Center from June - August of 2004 through Xavier University's Summer Service Internship Program. As an intern at Imago, I gained valuable teaching experience through leading nature hikes and running environmental programs. I helped out with the summer camps, which involved planning activities, preparing supplies, helping run the activities, and leading nature hikes. I began work on a recycling project involving used cell phones and printer cartridges. At Imago, I also helped with general upkeep of the Earth Center facilities by redecorating the main room, mowing the lawns, and creating paths for new trails. Through my internship with Imago, I learned a lot about the inner-workings of a nonprofit organization, and I gained an appreciation for nature and the importance of teaching care for the earth to the city's youth.
Bridget Kennedy
Background BS Environmental Geography, Ohio University '03
Hometown Cincinnati, OH
Term Spring '04

Interning at Imago was an awesome experience! It was the first job I got out of college that was actually meaningful to me. I was able to teach environmental education in an urban setting, which is quite unique, and has shaped my career focus since then. During my time there, I also worked on a forest quality assessment project. This involved hiking through the preserve, measuring and identifying large tree species, and observing invasive species across the forested area. I also coordinated the community garden at Imago and those who tended garden plots there. The hands-on outdoor education experiences I encountered while working at Imago were priceless, and led me into my next job opportunity well equipped with knowledge and confidence.
Dan Elbert
Background BA Biology, Colgate University '03
Hometown Jackson, MI
Term Fall '03

While at Imago, I was, of course, one of the environmental education instructors. This meant lots of fun hours teaching urban youth about the mysteries of the surrounding environment. The Earth Center holds several community events throughout the year, such as the Enchanted Trail, of which I was involved in while working at Imago. I also contributed to the organizations quarterly newsletter, and wrote natural history articles for a Nature Handbook the Earth Center uses. The projects I was involved with catered to Habitat Restoration. I helped bring in prairie grasses in order to enhance the Earth Center's prairie and helped organize a sustainable Plant Rescue program for the Earth Center. Working at Imago was a very worthwhile and rewarding experience.