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Recreation Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Recreation Management Intern

Marion, NC

$14.25 - $18.50/hr

Team collaboration Capstone Project Each intern will complete one major project during the semester. Examples include: . Develop and implement a new recreation program. . Marketing Video . Create a ...

Recreation Therapy Intern

San Ramon, CA · On-site

$16.75 - $21.75/hr

This internship opportunity is nonpaid. The Intern Program Under supervision of National and State certified Recreation Therapists, the program is designed to provide challenging work experiences in ...

$15.75 - $20.75/hr

Peters is seeking a motivated and dependable Recreation Operations Intern to gain hands-on experience supporting a variety of recreation operations and community programs. This position will assist ...

Recreation Therapist Intern

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$14.50 - $18.75/hr

Under the supervision of the Recreation Therapy Director and Recreation Therapist Internship Coordinator, the Recreation Therapist Intern responsible for planning and implementing therapeutic ...

Recreation Therapy Intern - Spring 2026

Savannah, GA · On-site

$14 - $18.25/hr

Responsibilities Recreation Therapy Intern Opportunity Coastal Harbor Health System is comprised of a 145-bed hospital for children and adolescents, providing both short- and long-term inpatient care ...

Showing results 41-60

Recreation Intern information

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$8

$17

$24

How much do recreation intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for recreation intern in the United States is $17.04, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a recreation intern?

Recreation Interns are students or recent graduates who work under the supervision of recreation professionals to gain practical experience in organizing, planning, and leading recreational programs and activities. They assist with tasks such as event planning, activity coordination, community outreach, and facility management in settings like parks, community centers, or camps. The role provides hands-on learning opportunities and helps interns develop skills needed for a career in recreation or related fields.

What kinds of projects or responsibilities can a recreation intern expect to handle during their internship?

As a Recreation Intern, you can expect to work on a variety of projects that support the planning, coordination, and delivery of recreational programs and community events. Typical responsibilities might include assisting with event setup and logistics, helping to develop activity schedules, supporting participant engagement, and collaborating with staff to evaluate program success. Interns often gain hands-on experience in both administrative and direct-service capacities, making this role a valuable stepping stone for a career in recreation or community services.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a recreation intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Recreation Intern, you generally need coursework or a degree in recreation, physical education, or a related field, along with basic knowledge of program planning and implementation. Familiarity with scheduling software, Microsoft Office, and sometimes CPR/First Aid certification is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, creativity, and adaptability help you effectively engage participants and manage group dynamics. These skills are crucial for delivering safe, enjoyable, and well-organized recreational activities that meet community needs.

What is the difference between Recreation Intern vs Recreation Coordinator?

AspectRecreation InternRecreation Coordinator
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or ongoing college coursework; some certifications may be preferredBachelor's degree in recreation, leisure studies, or related field; certifications like CPR/First Aid often required
Work EnvironmentAssists in recreational programs, often in parks, community centers, or sports facilitiesManages and oversees recreational programs, staff, and facilities in similar settings
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by parks departments, community centers, and recreational organizations for entry-level rolesUsed for supervisory roles in similar organizations, involving program planning and staff management

The main difference between a Recreation Intern and a Recreation Coordinator lies in experience and responsibilities. Interns typically assist with programs and gain experience, while Coordinators oversee and manage recreational activities and staff. Both roles are vital in community recreation settings, but the Coordinator position requires more experience and often a relevant degree.

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What cities are hiring for Recreation Intern jobs?

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What are the most commonly searched types of Recreation jobs?

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What states have the most Recreation Intern jobs?

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For Recreation Intern jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Recreation Intern job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 19% Internship, 65% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 75% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 23% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,436 per year, or $17 per hour.

Recreation Management Intern

Marion, NC

McDowell County
Public Administration • 201 - 500 employees

$14.25 - $18.50/hr

Full-time, Internship

Re-posted 29 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Assist in planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating recreation programs.

  • Support event setup, teardown, volunteer coordination, and participant registration for various recreation events.

  • Participate in department meetings, program planning, and shadow department leadership to gain practical experience.


Job description

The McDowell County Parks & Recreation Internship is designed to provide college students and emerging professionals with meaningful, hands-on experience in municipal recreation programming. Interns will gain practical knowledge in planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating recreation programs while developing leadership, communication, and organizational skills essential for a career in parks and recreation. The internship offers exposure to a wide variety of recreation services including youth and adult athletics, community events, senior programming, wellness initiatives, outdoor recreation, and special events.

This internship will also include experiences at our Shooting Range and Campground. Please note this is an unpaid internship. Lodging and travel are not covered as part of the internship.

By the completion of the internship, participants will be able to: . Understand the daily operations of a county parks and recreation department. .

Assist in planning and implementing community recreation programs. . Develop leadership and customer service skills.

. Learn budgeting, scheduling, and program evaluation techniques. .

Build professional communication skills with staff, volunteers, coaches, and participants. . Gain experience using recreation management software and registration systems.

. Understand risk management and safety procedures. .

Complete an independent capstone project. Internship Length . Semester Internship (12-16 weeks) .

10-20 hours per week (flexible around class schedules) . Summer full-time internship available ** Can be tailored to fit college requirements ** Department Rotations Interns will gain experience in multiple program areas including: Youth and Adult Sports . League administration .

Practice and game scheduling . Coach communication . Registration assistance .

Tournament operations . Field preparation support Aquatics (Spring & Summer Only) . Special pool events .

Daily facility operations . Program marketing . Recruitment Campground/Shooting Range .

Assist with class setup . Assist with programing and marketing Special Events Assist with events such as: . Pirate Invasion .

MCYFL Camp . District and State Tournaments . Commissioners Cup .

Special Olympics . Senior Games Responsibilities may include: . Setup and teardown .

Volunteer coordination . Vendor assistance . Participant registration .

Event logistics Professional Development Interns will participate in: . Staff meetings . Program planning sessions .

Budget discussions . Marketing meetings . Community partnership meetings .

Facility tours . Shadowing department leadership Learning Outcomes Interns will gain experience in: . Recreation programming .

Event management . Customer service . Leadership .

Public speaking . Volunteer management . Time management .

Conflict resolution . Risk management . Program evaluation .

Community engagement . Team collaboration Capstone Project Each intern will complete one major project during the semester. Examples include: .

Develop and implement a new recreation program. . Marketing Video .

Create a marketing campaign for an existing program. . Conduct a community needs assessment.

. Develop a tournament or special event plan. .

Create a program manual or standard operating procedure. . Evaluate an existing program and provide recommendations for improvement.

The project will conclude with a presentation to Parks & Recreation leadership. Preferred applicants should: . Be enrolled in a college or university.

. Major in Parks and Recreation, Sports Management, Exercise Science, Business, Public Administration, Education, Communications, or a related field. .

Possess strong communication and organizational skills. . Be willing to work evenings and weekends as programs require.

. Have a passion for serving the community. Evaluation Intern performance will be evaluated through: .

Weekly supervisor check-ins . Mid-semester evaluation . Final performance review .

Capstone project presentation . Professionalism and attendance . Initiative and teamwork Benefits to the Intern Upon successful completion, interns will: .

Gain real-world municipal recreation experience. . Build a professional portfolio of completed projects.

. Network with recreation professionals. .

Receive mentorship from experienced staff. . Develop marketable leadership and management skills.

. Obtain references for future employment or graduate school. How to Apply PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREENING AND BACKGROUND CHECK IS REQUIRED APPLICANTS WILL BE GIVEN CREDIT ONLY FOR INFORMATION PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

No additional information will be solicited by the McDowell County; therefore, persons who submit incomplete applications may not receive full credit for their education, training and experience. McDowell County is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the County to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, political affiliation or national origin.

The County will interactively work with disabled applicants and employees to identify reasonable accommodations that will allow the individual to perform essential job functions. McDowell County participates in E-Verify. Applications are available: on our website: www.mcdowellhrportal.org- under "Job Opportunities" McDowell County Administration Building: 25 W Fort Street Marion, NC 28752 Applications can be submitted: Online at www.mcdowellhrportal.org in person at the County Administration building: 25 W Fort Street Marion, NC 28752 or by Mail to: McDowell County Human Resources 60 East Court Street Marion, NC 28752 or by email to: employment@mcdowellgov.com