Bellarmine Summer Fellows - Program Evaluation Intern - Happy Trails for Kids

BCLA Summer Internship Program 

Program Evaluation and Data Intern 

• Host Organization: Happy Trails for Kids 
  Location(s): Santa Monica | Lake Hughes, CA (Hybrid/Remote work schedule) 
• Transportation: Reliable transportation is the responsibility of the intern 
  Supervisor: Lindsay Elliott, Executive Director 
  Program: LMU Bellarmine Summer Fellows Internship Program 
  Internship Type: Paid summer internship 
• Pay: $4500 stipend, and internship course credit 
  Duration: Summer, May 18 – Aug 13 (dates aligned with BCLA program) 

Questions: 

For questions about eligibility, the application process, or the BCLA Summer Internship Program, please contact: 

Sylvia Bier 
BCLA Employer Relations and Career Development 
sylvia.bier@lmu.edu  

About Happy Trails for Kids: 

Happy Trails for Kids is a Southern California based nonprofit dedicated to providing transformative outdoor and camp experiences for youth in foster care. Through overnight and day camps, outdoor adventures, leadership development, and year-round programming, Happy Trails for Kids creates spaces of belonging, connection, and growth for young people. 

As Happy Trails for Kids reimagines its campus and works toward becoming a national model for serving youth in foster care, the organization is also strengthening how it measures and communicates its impact. This internship plays a key role in that effort. 

Internship Overview: 

The Program Evaluation and Special Project Intern will support Happy Trails for Kids in developing more consistent, meaningful, and data-informed systems for tracking program outcomes, as well as support special projects hosted throughout the camp sessions. This project-based internship offers hands-on experience in program evaluation, data collection, nonprofit impact assessment, and program implementation within a youth-serving organization. A minimum of 240 hours must be spent in the internship, spanning at least 8 weeks during summer 2027. 

The internship follows a hybrid work model, combining some on-site engagement in Acton, CA during summer camp programming, periodic in-person meetings in Santa Monica with organizational leadership, and remote work focused on data entry, analysis, reflection, reporting and project planning. This structure provides students with meaningful exposure to both program delivery and organizational strategy. 

The intern will work closely with the Executive Director, Camp Director and program staff to support evaluation efforts and special projects related to summer camp programming and year-round initiatives, helping ensure that the organization can clearly demonstrate the difference it is making in the lives of foster youth. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Support the evaluation of summer camp and year-round programs 
• Support special projects both in preparation and implementation at Camp 
• Follow a 20-hour weekly hybrid schedule  
• Assist with project-based data collection and organization 
• Support implementation of evaluation tools 
• Help analyze qualitative and quantitative program data 
• Contribute to summaries, reports, and insights that inform program improvement 
• Observe camp programming and workshops to understand participant experience 
• Collaborate with staff to strengthen systems for tracking youth outcomes over time 
• Support Camp Director in planning and communication process of special projects and program implementation.  
• Additional Responsibilities and Expectations: 
• Participate in camp activities and workshops as needed to support evaluation efforts 
• Occasionally stay overnight at camp to engage fully in special projects or support at camp when required (not nightly, but intermittently) 
• Intern is fully responsible for reliable transportation to and from internship site location on time. 
• Uphold all child safety, confidentiality, and nonprofit best practices 
• Communicate with staff, caregivers and campers 

Required Qualifications: 

• Current LMU undergraduate or graduate student participating in the BCLA Summer Internship Program 
• Interest in nonprofit work, youth development, foster care systems, education, or social impact 
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills 
• Comfort working with data, evaluation tools, or willingness to learn 
• Ability to work respectfully with children and young people from diverse backgrounds 

Required Clearances 

• Due to working directly with children, the selected intern must complete: 
• Live Scan fingerprinting 
• TB test clearance 

Learning Outcomes: 

• Through this internship, students will gain: 
• Practical experience in nonprofit program evaluation and impact measurement 
• Practical experience in nonprofit program implementation  
• Exposure to youth centered and trauma informed programming 
• Experience using a professional evaluation platform (Hello Insight) 
• Project-based insight into how nonprofits scale programs and measure long term outcomes 
• Direct mentorship from an executive level nonprofit leader 

Work Environment: 

This internship is based at Happy Trails for Kids camp programming in Acton, CA and Santa Monica, CA. The role involves time outdoors, interaction with staff and youth, and participation in a dynamic camp environment.