Nonprofit Strategy and Operations Intern

Barton Summer Internship Program

The Barton Center for Diabetes Education

Position Type

Seasonal Residential Internship

Duration

5-week residential experience

• 1 week of pre-camp training and preparation
  
   
• 4 weeks of residential camp programming

Some internships may include the option to extend remotely following the residential portion of camp to complete project deliverables or continue supporting Barton initiatives.

Location

The Barton Center for Diabetes Education
North Oxford, Massachusetts

Housing and meals are provided during the residential portion of the internship.

About The Barton Center for Diabetes Education

The Barton Center for Diabetes Education is a nationally recognized organization working at the intersection of healthcare, education, and youth development. For more than 90 years, Barton has supported children, families, and young adults living with Type 1 diabetes through residential camps, educational programs, and leadership development opportunities. Our programs combine medical safety, skill-building, and joyful community experiences to help young people build confidence, independence, and lifelong friendships.

Working at Barton is more than a summer job—it is a hands-on, career-connected learning experience where students and professionals gain real-world experience in youth development, healthcare support, program leadership, and nonprofit operations.

Our staff community includes:

• Camper alumni who return as counselors and mentors
  
   
• Students exploring careers in healthcare, education, and public health
  
   
• Experienced clinicians and educators
  
   
• Young professionals building leadership and workplace skills
  
   

Together, we model what it means to be supportive adults helping young people thrive.

Program Overview

The Barton Summer Internship Program is a unique residential internship experience that combines hands-on nonprofit work, leadership development, and direct youth engagement.

This program is designed for students seeking a meaningful summer experience that combines youth leadership, nonprofit work, and professional skill development in a mission-driven environment.

Interns at Barton serve in a hybrid role as both camp staff and project-based interns, gaining meaningful professional experience while helping create a safe, joyful, and empowering camp environment for children living with Type 1 diabetes.

Interns live in cabins and participate fully in camp life while also completing defined professional project(s) aligned with their academic and professional interests.

During the residential program, interns split their time between:

• Supporting campers and activities as part of the cabin counselor team
  
   
• Working on a professional internship project aligned with their focus area
  
   

This immersive model allows interns to:

• Develop real-world professional skills
  
   
• Build leadership and mentorship experience
  
   
• Work alongside clinicians, educators, and nonprofit professionals
  
   
• Contribute meaningfully to Barton’s mission of supporting children and families living with Type 1 diabetes
  
   

Internship responsibilities can be structured to meet academic credit requirements where applicable, and Barton is happy to collaborate with universities to support credit-bearing internship arrangements.

Skills & Qualities We Look For

We are seeking students who are excited about working in a mission-driven, collaborative camp environment and who are eager to contribute both as mentors to campers and as developing professionals.

Strong candidates often demonstrate:

• Leadership potential and a willingness to take initiative
  
   
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
  
   
• Curiosity and interest in learning new professional skills
  
   
• Comfort working with children and young people
  
   
• Adaptability and a positive attitude in a dynamic camp environment
  
   
• Organization and attention to detail
  
   
• Interest in fields such as healthcare, education, nonprofit leadership, communications, public health, or operations
  
   

Experience with Type 1 diabetes is welcome but not required.

Compensation & Funding

These internships are unpaid by The Barton Center. However, many colleges and universities offer stipends, grants, or experiential learning funding to support students participating in unpaid internships with nonprofit organizations.

Barton is committed to working with selected candidates to help them secure funding through their institution’s internship, public service, or experiential learning programs where available.

In addition to potential university funding, interns receive:

• Housing and meals during the residential program
  
   
• Mentorship from experienced professionals across healthcare, education, and nonprofit leadership
  
   
• Hands-on experience and portfolio-building work in a mission-driven organization
  
   

Internship Structure

Interns will:

• Live on-site in camp cabins (housing and meals provided)
  
   
• Serve as part of the cabin counselor team supporting campers
  
   
• Participate in camp activities, meals, and evening programming
  
   
• Work on a defined internship project aligned with their role
  
   
• Receive mentorship from Barton leadership and staff
  
   

Internship projects are designed to create tangible deliverables that support Barton’s programs and long-term organizational growth.

Nonprofit Strategy & Operations Intern

Role Focus

The Nonprofit Strategy & Operations Intern will support organizational systems, internal operations, and strategic infrastructure projects that help Barton operate more efficiently and scale its impact.

This role provides exposure to the behind-the-scenes operations of a mission-driven nonprofit, including organizational systems, workflow design, and operational strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Professional Project Work

• Support improvements to Barton’s internal operational systems and workflows
  
   
• Help organize and structure Barton’s SharePoint / internal document systems
  
   
• Conduct research on technology platforms and operational tools that could improve camp and organizational operations
  
   
• Assist in documenting internal processes and operational procedures
  
   
• Support operational planning and coordination for camp programs and events
  
   

Camp Leadership Responsibilities

• Serve as a cabin counselor and mentor to campers
  
   
• Support daily camper routines including activities, meals, and evening programming
  
   
• Help maintain a safe, inclusive, and supportive camp environment
  
   
• Participate in leadership and staff training during pre-camp

Preferred Backgrounds / Fields of Study

This internship is especially well-suited for students studying:

• Business Administration
  
   
• Nonprofit Management
  
   
• Social Entrepreneurship
  
   
• Public Policy
  
   
• Organizational Leadership
  
   
• Operations Management