Internships
Hands-on Experience in Bocas del Toro while Earning University Credit?! A Win-Win!!!
Give & Surf offers unique internship opportunities in a wide range of fields to help give students hands-on experience with a small nonprofit organization.
General areas of applicable study include: nonprofit management, international development, Latin American studies, Spanish, English as a Second Language, education, early childhood education, community development, international relations, recreation, business, marketing, and public relations.
2023 Internship Opportunities
Program Development Specialist
Help expand our extracurricular activity offerings throughout the eight communities we serve by assessing what the local communities need and want and assisting with the planning and implementation of new and existing programs. Past interns have created our marine education program, offered yoga classes, led a photography program, taught English classes, and more. Some knowledge of Spanish preferred. Minimum of 10 weeks (some planning work can be completed remotely); 20-30 hours per week of program delivery and lesson planning.
Student Teacher/Assistant Teacher
Get hands on experience leading and teaching classes for students ages 3-12. Create lesson plans, design new activities and programs. Great hands-on experience working with Spanish speaking students, introducing English, and learning how to work in an extremely low-income, challenging environment. Interns can choose to work in our preschool/kindergarten classes or with our after-school programs or do a mix of both. Available throughout the year; 1 to 6 months; 25-30 hours per week of teaching & lesson planning
Nonprofit Management Assistant
Learn the ins & outs of running a nonprofit organization by helping with the general administration of Give & Surf including fundraising, recruiting volunteers, program delivery, finances, event planning, and day-to-day operations. Available throughout the year; minimum 10 week commitment 20-30 hours per week. Can be completed on-site or as a hybrid of onsite/remote work
Social Media & Marketing Coordinator
Help us share our story with our fans and supporters as well as to reach new audiences by managing our Facebook & Instagram accounts and exploring new social media platforms for us to use. Being on-site allows you to see first hand our programs and communities so you can better tell our story and impact! 20-25 hours per week; bilingual Spanish/English speaker preferred. Can be completed on-site or as a hybrid of onsite/remote work; minimum of 1 month on-site
Recreation and/or Sports Program Specialist
Share your passion for sports and recreational activities by helping to lead and plan various programs at our three community centers. Start a new sports league, design a teen sports clinic, and create opportunities for youth to learn new skills in a safe, fun environment! Past interns have created our swim lesson and ocean safety program, a teen girls stand up paddle mentorship program, and offered various sports clinics. Minimum of 10 weeks (some planning work can be done remotely); 20-30 hours per week of program delivery and lesson planning.
STE(A)M Program Specialist
In 2021, Give & Surf received a grant from the U.S. Embassy in Panama to support three of its after-school programs. There will be a focus on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) activities and we are looking for an intern to help lead these programs. This can include LEGO Engineering, environmental science, basic math, computer literacy/computer games & apps, and other activities to promote student interest in STEM! Available throughout the year; minimum of 2 month commitment; 20-30 hours per week.
Create Your Own Internship
Have an idea or passion that would benefit Give and Surf and the communities we serve? We're happy to help you design an internship that meets your field of study and interests. Many of our programs have been started by interns over the years including our ocean safety & swim lesson program, photography class, teen mentorship programs, and more!