Internship Opportunities

Internships

For over 40 years, Challenge Alaska has provided recreational based programming as well as leisure education in Alaska. We work with each individual to help them gain the skills they need to recreate as independently as possible. At Challenge Alaska we believe that everyone, regardless of physical, mental or financial barriers should have the opportunity to experience the beauty and excitement of recreation.

We currently offer:

• Recreational Therapy internships are available at our Anchorage office in the winter , summer, and fall (see dates below).
• Kinesiology students enrolled with UAA's HPER  program who would like to complete an internship working with athletes who are part of our ParaSport Alaska adaptive sports program can do so through our Anchorage office.
• Internships with our adaptive ski & snowboard school in Girdwood are available to students majoring in several disciplines other than Recreational Therapy and are available in the winter months. Contact the adaptive ski & snowboard school directly for more information about these internships.  

Therapeutic Recreation / Recreational Therapy Internships

Steps to Apply

All prospective interns need to complete and send the internship application to Challenge Alaska, along with the requirements listed on the application. Students who meet the requirements will be notified and an interview date will be set. Students who fail to send a complete packet will not be considered. Students selected for an internship will be notified at least 6 weeks prior to start of their internship. Additionally, the student must provide proof of the following before their start date:

• Current First Aid Certificate
• Current CPR Certificate
• Professional Liability Insurance
• Scanned copy of driver's license
• Consent to background check (including a fingerprint based check)
• Items necessary to complete I-9 (you can find a list of items here)

Please note: Interns are responsible for locating their own housing and transportation while completing their internship. We can sometimes give you information and direction that can make finding housing easier prior to your arrival. Assistance with transportation may be provided on a limited basis.

Email the completed application OR send via US Mail to: 
Challenge Alaska Intern Coordinator
3350 Commercial Dr. Suite 208
Anchorage, AK 99501 

Intern Testimonials

 "Accepting an internship with Challenge Alaska is hands down one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself professionally. This internship exceeded my expectations tenfold and I believe no other internship site can replicate the experiences and expertise that Challenge Alaska offers. Throughout my internship I was surrounded by genuine and supportive people (both staff and clientele) that were never afraid to push me outside of my comfort zone. I was given countless opportunities to apply myself and my TR skills in real-life one-on-one settings with clients which taught me lessons I will never forget. I never could have predicted the amount of stretching and growing I would do in a 14-week period but looking back I couldn’t be more grateful for all of it. I am walking away more prepared and excited to work in this field and I owe it all to Challenge Alaska. Summing up this adventure is nearly impossible, so if you think I’m kidding…. APPLY … I dare you! You won’t regret it! "

- Shaylee H. BYU-Idaho; Summer 2021

"Upon accepting an internship with Challenge Alaska, I could not have imagined the vast opportunities and growth that I have had the pleasure of experiencing. This unique experience allowed me to gain new perspectives, grow in confidence, and explore new tasks that only could have happened with Challenge. Every day is an adventure that required quick thinking to overcome the obstacles that were presented. Throughout my internship, I was continually struck by how each program positively impacted the clients, their families, and the surrounding individuals. With this internship, I feel prepared to confidently tackle all of my future aspirations."

- Emily A., University of Wisconsin - LaCrosse; Winter 2018

"Accepting this internship with Challenge Alaska, I didn’t know what to expect. I wanted an experience which would both challenge and further equip me professionally. This agency not only met this expectation but raised the expectations I had for myself. I found staff whom give of themselves and their time to clients, their interns, one another and the community. I found opportunities for leadership—whether I was asking for them or not—and guidance to move forward with when I failed. Throughout this internship, I gained skills in communication and creative problem-solving, while applying the ethics and concepts of our field to real-world situations and interactions with clients. As a young professional, I was presented with moments to be decisive, ethical, accountable and balanced in my regard for all clients. Without this practical and immersive experience, I do not believe I would be as prepared, let alone confident or resourceful, as I am now on the other side of my internship. Given the opportunity, I would pick Challenge all over again. Challenge Alaska stretched what I thought I knew about the Therapeutic Recreation discipline and guided me into a greater, more mature understanding of our field…and better yet, showed me what I was capable of. It is almost impossible to sum up my experience and do it justice. All I can say is, APPLY. Go for it!."
- Mary Margaret B., Southwest Texas State University; Summer 2018