Youth Development StaffAt — YMCA of Orange County

The After-School Program Intern will support the Y-ASES team in providing a safe, engaging, and positive environment for students. Responsibilities include creating and leading lesson plans, supervising students, supporting positive behavior, assisting with enrichment activities, and working collaboratively with program staff. Interns will gain hands-on experience in youth development, leadership, classroom management, and program operations.

Tasks:

Create weekly lesson plans for assigned age/grade groups.
Plan activities with clear learning objectives, materials, instructions, and expected outcomes.
Develop lessons in areas such as STEM, art, health and wellness, SEL, physical activity, literacy, and enrichment.
Prepare and organize all materials needed before each lesson.
Lead and teach planned lessons with students.
Adjust activities based on students’ ages, abilities, learning styles, and needs.
Assist with classroom and behavior management using positive reinforcement and redirection.
Actively supervise students during indoor activities, outdoor activities, meals, transitions, and recreation.
Help students practice problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and appropriate social skills.
Lead or assist with outdoor games, sports, team-building activities, and physical fitness.
Support students with homework and academic enrichment when needed.
Assist with program clubs, special events, service-learning projects, and student showcases.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe learning environment.
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and program planning.
Communicate professionally with program staff and supervisors.
Receive feedback from the Site Director and make appropriate changes to lessons or teaching practices.
Observe student participation and determine whether lesson goals were met.
Complete assigned program documentation and internship requirements.
Demonstrate professionalism, punctuality, reliability, teamwork, and appropriate boundaries with youth.
Complete a final reflection on skills developed and how the internship experience connects to the intern’s college studies and future career goals.

Training:

Interns will receive an initial orientation covering Y-ASES policies, safety, active supervision, behavior management, program routines, and professional expectations. Weekly meetings with the Program Director will be used to review progress, lesson plans, provide feedback, and offer mentorship. Interns will receive ongoing hands-on training by observing experienced staff and gradually leading activities and lessons. Daily collaboration with the Program Director, Assistant Director, and staff will provide opportunities for coaching, problem-solving, and professional growth.

Learning Outcome:

College Internship Learning Outcomes
By the end of the internship, the student will be able to:
Youth Development: Demonstrate an understanding of child and adolescent development by supporting students' social, emotional, academic, and physical needs.
Behavior Management: Practice positive behavior-management strategies, including redirection, positive reinforcement, problem-solving, and helping students regulate their emotions.
Program Planning: Assist with planning and leading age-appropriate enrichment activities, including STEM, arts, physical activity, SEL, and team-building activities.
Leadership Skills: Develop leadership skills by helping manage groups of students, giving clear directions, modeling appropriate behavior, and taking responsibility for assigned program duties.
Communication: Demonstrate professional communication with students, staff, supervisors, and families while maintaining appropriate boundaries and confidentiality.
Teamwork: Work effectively as part of a program team by communicating with staff, accepting feedback, assisting coworkers, and contributing to a positive work environment.
Safety & Supervision: Demonstrate active supervision practices and understand the importance of student safety, staff-to-student ratios, attendance procedures, and program policies.
Inclusion & Individual Needs: Recognize that children have different abilities, learning styles, behaviors, and support needs and practice appropriate ways to include and support all students.
Professional Development: Demonstrate reliability, punctuality, professionalism, initiative, and accountability in a youth-development workplace.
Career Development: Reflect on internship experiences and identify how the skills learned can be applied to future careers in education, psychology, child development, social work, recreation, or youth services.