Paid Youth Internships

Applications for these competitive programs are accepted seasonally. No previous experience is needed–only enthusiasm for a healthier, greener Southwest Philadelphia!

In order to be eligible to apply, you must:

• Live, attend school, or have other personal connections in Southwest Philadelphia, especially in the neighborhoods of Kingsessing, Eastwick, Elmwood Park, or Cobbs Creek. Priority will be given to students who live between 49th Street and 65th Street, between Chester Avenue and the river;
• Have or be eligible for a work permit;
• Be a current high school sophomore, junior, or senior in good standing, ages 14–18; and
• Be able to attend a consistent weekly schedule, with up to three excused absences.

There is no academic requirement to apply; however, participating interns are supported to maintain at least a C average in all their classes.

These programs have a two-part, competitive application process. Note that not all programs are open at the same time.

Step 1. Online Application: Apply by April 4, 2025, for Summer 2025!

First, submit an online application before the posted deadline. You can complete the application on a phone, tablet, or computer with internet access. You may want to draft your written responses ahead of time so that you can copy and paste them into the online application form.

The application will ask for the following information:

• Your name, age, and date of birth
• Your grade and school
• Your contact information (address, email, and phone)
• Contact information (email and phone) for your parent/guardian
• Program for which you are applying 
• How you heard about the program

Depending on the program for which you’re applying, there will also be several short-answer written questions–see specifics below.

All program applications include:

• What are three words that best describe you and why?
• Describe a time when you faced a difficult situation, how you worked through it, and what you learned from the experience.

The application for Earth Seeds also includes the following questions:

• What does the term “nature” mean to you?
• Can you think of anyone, either personally or historically, who shares a background similar to yours and works outdoors, such as an ecologist, gardener, or environmentalist?
• Have you ever worked with plants or participated in any environmental activities before? If yes, what was your experience like?
• If you had one million dollars, how would you use it to improve your neighborhood?

The application for Sankofa Community Farm also includes the following questions:

• Why do you want to work at the Sankofa Community Farm at Bartram’s Garden?
• Do you have any experience growing food, connecting to your culture, or teaching? If so, please share more.
• How can working on the Farm help make a difference in the Southwest Philadelphia community?
•  

Step 2. In-Person Interview

After submitting your online application, you may be invited to interview in-person at Bartram’s Garden or at your school with staff educators and current interns in the program. These interviews typically take place on a weekday afternoon after the end of the school day. You do not need to bring or wear anything special on the scheduled interview day.

Getting Hired

If you are selected after the interview, you will be contacted by phone or email before the projected start date for the program. Your hiring process will include the following steps and may require you or your parent/guardian to provide additional documentation:

• Enrolling in the City of Philadelphia’s Career-Connected Learning (C2L-PHL) program as an employee. Bartram’s Garden staff members will be able to help complete the enrollment, which requires submitting the following documents from each category below:
  • Social Security Card or Official Document that displays SSN
  • Proof of Identity (Driver’s License or School ID or Birth Certificate or Work Permit)
  • Proof of Citizenship (Birth Certificate or US Passport or Naturalization Certificate or Alien Registration Card)
  • Proof of Philadelphia Residency (Driver’s License or Work Permit or School ID)
  • A completed W-9 form
• On-boarding at Bartram’s Garden with the program’s lead educator who will be leading your cohort. This includes completing paperwork to identify your emergency contact, important health/allergy information, and personal demographics. These details are kept confidential.