The program’s ultimate form is largely determined by the specific interests of the applicant. Our community in Viroqua and the surrounding Driftless Region is a major center of the organic and sustainable agriculture movement, as well as home to Waldorf schools for students in grades K-12, practitioners of various arts, folk crafts, and homesteading skills, a thriving community of holistic healers, and a farm-to-table culinary scene.

Additionally, there is the opportunity for participants to craft an individual research or creative project to be overseen by a Thoreau College mentor who would work to facilitate relevant connections with local organizations, individuals, and resources. In all cases, Thoreau College functions as an active support-system: selecting and monitoring placements to ensure that they are meaningful and rewarding experiences for students, as well as mediating any conflicts or complications that may arise between hosts and participants.

Like the Thoreau College Semester Program, the Guided Internship seeks to serve young people who:

• Wish to gain more life experience before going to a traditional college

• Desire a break from their current educational or vocational environment

• Are seeking an alternative to traditional forms of higher education altogether

The Guided Internship Program welcomes applications from graduates of the Thoreau College Semester Program, as well as individuals who can demonstrate sufficient self-direction, diligence, and maturity to benefit from the program. It is intended to be an extended experience of at least one semester (5-6 months), or up to a full year. Applicants interested in a shorter experience should consider the Thoreau College Summer Internship Program. The Guided Internships typically begin in either January or August, although applications will be considered at any time. Please give enough time before the date you hope to begin (ideally 2 or more months) so that we can pair you with an appropriate host or hosts.

Accommodations and Finances

Participants in the Guided Internship Program have the option of living in Thoreau College student housing, if available, and of participating in any available Thoreau College group meals. Thoreau College is committed to working with all admitted participants on an individual, case-by-case basis to make it possible for them to attend, as well as to ensure the continued financial health of the program. Once an applicant has been accepted to the program, we will invite you to participate in a financial pledge conversation in which we will share the financial structure and needs of the program and discuss how you would be able to contribute to financial health of the program through an individual financial pledge.

Ideal candidates should be hard working, responsible team players willing to get their hands dirty and tackle new skills and projects, creatively solving problems along the way.  Participants will gain hands-on experience with sustainable agriculture and biodynamic gardening, permaculture, carpentry and building skills of various kinds, curriculum design, and participatory collective decision making.   In addition, Thoreau College will provide a guided introduction to the abundant opportunities for outdoor and cultural activities in our region.  Interns will live together in the Thoreau College residence and work closely with Thoreau College staff and volunteers.

There are a wide variety of possible projects that interns might choose to focus on, depending on the interests and skills of applicants, as well as available funding.  Some possibilities include:

• Planning and implementation of perennial permaculture plantings at several sites used by Thoreau College

• Planting, cultivating, harvesting, and preserving organic and biodynamic produce in Thoreau College gardens

• Completion of a natural stonework facade for an outdoor timberframe classroom and performance structure on the campus that the Driftless Folk School shares with us

• Construction of wooden platforms for canvas wall tents on the Driftless Folk School campus

• Installation of a shower in the student residence, including plumbing and creative tile work

• Research, planning, and possible implementation of green and sustainable energy technologies and strategies at Thoreau College and partner facilities

• Programming, children’s activities, and meals for a social entrepreneurship conference

• Construction of a deck and woodfired brick oven for a garden cafe space at the Commons

• Creation of promotional resources including short videos, photography, brochures, and web materials

• Grant research and writing to support future programing

• Program design and planning for the Fall 2020 Thoreau College Semester Program

• Program design and planning for an expanded semester-long internship program for the spring of 2021 and internship offerings in the summer of 2021

Accommodations and Finances

Participants in the Guided Internship Program have the option of living in Thoreau College student housing, if available, and of participating in any available Thoreau College group meals. Thoreau College is committed to working with all admitted participants on an individual, case-by-case basis to make it possible for them to attend, as well as to ensure the continued financial health of the program. Once an applicant has been accepted to the program, we will invite you to participate in a financial pledge conversation in which we will share the financial structure and needs of the program and discuss how you would be able to contribute to financial health of the program through an individual financial pledge.