Youth Development, Mentorship & Athletics InternAt — Lightning Youth Academy

Our nonprofit organization is seeking motivated college students to join our team as Youth Development, Mentorship & Athletics Intern for the Fall 2026 semester. This internship provides students with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with youth ages 5–17 through mentorship, athletics, mental performance education, and community engagement.

Our organization uses cross country and track & field as a foundation for youth development, teaching young athletes running skills, discipline, goal setting, teamwork, and healthy habits. In addition to athletic development, we emphasize mental performance and youth mental wellness, helping young people develop skills such as confidence, focus, motivation, resilience, positive self-talk, and goal setting. We also focus in providing workshops, tools and resources to parents. 

Interns will have the opportunity to work directly with youth while receiving training and professional supervision from a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Students will also work alongside experienced coaches and staff to support athletic practices and youth programming.

Key Responsibilities

The intern will:

• Provide one-on-one mentorship to youth ages 11–17 through virtual meetings approximately every two weeks for 30 minutes per assigned youth.
• Build positive, supportive relationships with youth while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Apply foundational mental performance and youth development strategies under supervision and training.
• Participate in regular training and supervision with a Licensed Clinical Psychologist or a mental health professional. 
• Assist coaches with cross country and track & field practices, including warm-ups, drills, workouts, organization, and athlete engagement.
• Encourage and support youth athletes in developing confidence, motivation, resilience, discipline, and teamwork.
• Participate in occasional in-person mentorship during weekday practices, generally between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
• Assist with parent workshops and educational activities focused on youth development, mental wellness, and mental performance.
• Participate in community outreach activities, including resource fairs and community events.
• Represent the organization at outreach tables and communicate with families, students, and community members about our programs and services.
• Collaborate with coaches, staff, volunteers, and mental health professionals.
• Participate in occasional weekend activities, including local trail runs, athletic events, and community programming.
• Complete assigned documentation, reflections, and internship assignments.

Location & Schedule

This is a hybrid internship combining virtual mentorship with in-person coaching, outreach, and community activities.

• Virtual mentorship sessions are scheduled based on the availability of the intern and youth/family.
• In-person practices generally occur on weekdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Practice locations vary throughout Santa Ana and Orange County.
• Weekend activities may take place at local trails, parks, athletic events, resource fairs, or community events.
• The schedule will be coordinated around the intern's academic commitments and availability.

Professional Development

Interns will receive training and supervision designed to help them develop practical skills relevant to careers in psychology, counseling, social work, education, kinesiology, coaching, and youth development.

Students will gain experience in:

• Youth mentorship
• Mental performance
• Youth development
• Sport and performance psychology concepts
• Communication and active listening
• Leadership and coaching
• Community outreach
• Parent education
• Nonprofit programming
• Professional ethics and boundaries
• Working with multidisciplinary teams

Ideal Candidate

We are seeking college students who are passionate about working with youth and interested in careers involving psychology, counseling, mental health, kinesiology, education, coaching, social work, or related fields.

Previous experience working with youth or athletics is helpful but not required. Training will be provided.

Compensation

This is an unpaid internship. The primary benefits of the position are professional training, supervised hands-on experience, mentorship, and opportunities to develop skills applicable to future academic and professional careers. Academic internship or practicum credit may be possible subject to the student's university and department requirements.

Application Process

Interested students must first complete the volunteer application form through our organization's website.

Selected applicants will participate in:

1. An initial phone interview with our staff.
2. An in-person interview with our team.
3. A final review to determine acceptance into the Fall 2026 internship program.

Applicants should be prepared to provide a current resume and information regarding their academic program, career interests, and availability for the Fall 2026 semester.

Tasks:

The student will perform the following professional and pre-professional duties:

1) Provide structured mentorship to youth ages 11–17 through virtual one-on-one sessions approximately every two weeks, using age-appropriate communication, active listening, goal setting, and positive youth development strategies.

2) Apply foundational mental performance strategies under supervision, including confidence building, goal setting, positive self-talk, focus, motivation, resilience, emotional regulation, and performance preparation.

3) Participate in regular supervision and professional development with a Licensed Clinical Psychologist to discuss mentoring experiences, receive feedback, review professional boundaries, and connect academic concepts to real-world youth development.

4) Maintain appropriate professional documentation related to mentoring activities, participation, goals, and assigned internship projects while following organizational confidentiality and documentation procedures.

5) Assist with planning and implementing cross country and track & field practices, including warm-ups, drills, running activities, workouts, athlete engagement, and practice organization.

6) Observe and learn from experienced coaches and progressively assume supervised coaching responsibilities based on demonstrated competency.

7) Support youth athletes in developing positive performance habits, including goal setting, motivation, discipline, teamwork, confidence, and healthy approaches to athletic performance.

8) Assist with parent education workshops by helping prepare materials, organizing activities, supporting presentations, and engaging with parents and families regarding youth development and mental performance topics.

9) Participate in community outreach and resource fairs by representing the organization, assisting with outreach tables, communicating the organization's mission and programs, and providing information to interested families and community members.

10) Assist with program development and implementation by contributing ideas, preparing materials, organizing activities, and supporting the delivery of youth mentorship, athletics, and mental performance programming.

11) Collaborate with coaches, staff, volunteers, mental health professionals, parents, and community partners to support effective delivery of the organization's programs.

12) Participate in reflective learning activities by evaluating mentoring and coaching experiences, identifying areas for professional growth, and connecting internship experiences to coursework and future career goals.

13) Complete a final internship project or presentation demonstrating the knowledge and skills gained throughout the internship and reflecting on the student's development in youth mentorship, mental performance, coaching, community engagement, and professional practice.

Training:

Students will receive structured training throughout the Fall 2026 internship to support the development of the proposed learning outcomes.

Initial Orientation:
All interns will participate in a mandatory orientation covering the organization's mission, youth programs, expectations, professional conduct, confidentiality, appropriate boundaries when working with minors, communication procedures, safety expectations, and the responsibilities of the Youth Mentor & Assistant Coach Intern.

Youth Mentorship Training:
Interns will receive training on building rapport with youth ages 11–17, active listening, age-appropriate communication, goal setting, motivational strategies, resilience, and positive youth development. Interns will review examples of appropriate mentoring interactions before conducting independent mentoring sessions.

Mental Performance Training:
Under the guidance of a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, interns will receive instruction on foundational mental performance concepts, including confidence, focus, motivation, positive self-talk, goal setting, emotional regulation, resilience, and performance routines. Training will focus on appropriate applications of these concepts with youth athletes.

Supervision and Feedback:
Interns will participate in regular supervision and training with the Licensed Clinical Psychologist. Supervision will provide an opportunity to discuss mentoring experiences, ask questions, receive feedback, review professional boundaries and ethical considerations, and connect academic concepts with practical experiences.

Coaching Training and Job Shadowing:
Interns will initially observe experienced cross country and track & field coaches and then progressively assist with practices. Training will include practice organization, warm-ups, running drills, workouts, athlete engagement, communication, safety, and positive coaching techniques.

Parent Workshop Training:
Interns will have opportunities to observe and assist with parent workshops addressing youth development, mental performance, mental wellness, and strategies for supporting young athletes. Staff will provide context and guidance before interns participate in these activities.

Community Outreach Training:
Interns will receive instruction on representing the organization at resource fairs, school/community events, and outreach activities. Training will include how to introduce the organization, explain available youth programs, communicate professionally with families, and respond appropriately to questions.

Ongoing Professional Development:
Throughout the internship, interns will receive feedback from the Licensed Clinical Psychologist, coaching staff, and organization leadership. Interns will be encouraged to reflect on their experiences and connect their work to their academic studies and future career goals.

Progressive Responsibility:
Intern responsibilities will increase as they demonstrate competency and professionalism. Students will initially observe and receive instruction, then move toward supervised participation and greater responsibility in mentorship, coaching, outreach, and program activities.

Learning Outcome:

1) By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to demonstrate effective youth mentorship skills by developing supportive relationships, using active listening and age-appropriate communication, and promoting positive development among youth ages 11–17.
2) By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to apply foundational mental performance strategies including goal setting, confidence building, positive self-talk, focus, motivation, resilience, and emotional regulation in youth mentorship and athletic settings.
3) By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to demonstrate foundational coaching and leadership skills by assisting with cross country and track & field practices, supporting athletic skill development, and contributing to a safe, positive, and inclusive team environment.
4) By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to demonstrate professional communication and community engagement skills by assisting with parent workshops, participating in resource fairs and outreach events, and communicating the organization's youth development, athletics, and mental performance programs to families and community members.
5) By the end of the academic internship, the student will be able to demonstrate professional and ethical practices by applying appropriate boundaries, confidentiality, teamwork, documentation, and feedback received through supervision and training with a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and coaching staff.