Welcome prospective interns!
Thanks for taking the time to
investigate this unique internship opportunity. By now you've reviewed our website, and you
have a clear understanding of our mission and how our interns help us
accomplish our goals. Without the
volunteer efforts of our interns, we could not reduce the cost of construction,
and thus would not be able to provide an affordable home. We do not exaggerate when we say that Community
Rebuilds interns are the backbone of our organization. As such, we greatly value your interest in our
organization and encourage you to apply for one or both of our unpaid
internship programs. The application and
recommendation forms can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Remember, no experience is necessary! Furthermore, inability to meet all
requirements does not mean we won't accept you.
We encourage you to apply and to communicate with us about your
concerns. We want to work with you to make
our programs accessible.
Program Structure
CR offers two internship programs. The fall program runs
from August 1st - December 1st and the spring semester runs
from February 1st- June 1st. Both programs allow 8 interns, under the
direction of a licensed contractor and natural building experts, to gain skills
in standard construction and natural building.
However, because one house is constructed over the course of a year,
each semester corresponds to a different part of the build. The first portion of the build takes place
during the fall program. Fall interns
are likely to do some foundation work, frame the roof and window structures,
create the base layer of the earthen floor, and install the straw bale
walls. Spring interns are likely to
frame the interior walls, apply earthen base plasters and clay or lime finish
plasters, build a natural bench, install cabinets and sinks, and apply the
finish layers to the earthen floor.
These activities are subject to some variability, as the schedule of any
build is dependent on many factors, such as weather, unforeseeable build challenges,
and the level of motivation and skill of the interns. These variables make each semester
unique. Thus we cannot guarantee that,
if accepted, you will participate in every activity advertised. However, we can assure you will be an
integral part of the build and will gain an unparalleled amount of natural and
conventional construction experience in the process. If all of the activities advertised sound exciting to you and
you are interested in gaining a more holistic understanding of the entire
construction process, we encourage you to complete both programs. Completion of a second program does not
involve a reapplication process. If you are unsure about which semester to
apply for, please communicate to us your specific interests and we will help
you decide.
Our internship programs primarily consist of hands-on
learning taking place during the build.
However, at times this may be supplemented with classroom time. Classroom time consists of question and
answer sessions with build leaders and other knowledgeable persons, as well as
field trips to other straw bale homes in the Moab area. This time is informal and unstructured. There are no graded assignments or
tests. Suggested readings are given only
on occasion and are largely for the personal benefit of the interns. We have many educational resources available
and encourage our interns to spend time learning about affordable housing
issues and natural building.
Note: The structure
and activity schedule of the two semester programs are currently under
revision. Please speak with us to learn
more about upcoming builds.
Expectations and qualifications
•Interns must be at least 18 years of age.
•Interns must commit to the full 4 months.
•Intern must provide proof of health insurance.
•Interns are required to work 40 hours a week onsite. The schedule will be set by the construction
site supervisors and Community Rebuilds staff. It will generally fit the normal workweek
model, but construction schedules will sometimes vary and interns are expected
to be flexible. Any schedule conflicts
are expected to be communicated to staff and supervisors. Time off for vacations and travel must be
negotiated in advance.
•Interns are responsible for getting themselves to and from
the worksite. Carpooling may be an
option for those who do not bring a car.
Biking may also be a reliable method, depending on the location of the
build.
•Interns are expected to supply a number of tools for their
personal use onsite. This includes but is
not limited to the following: tape measure, speed square, hammer, Phillips head
and flat head screw drivers.
•Interns must be able to lift at least 30 pounds, work
outdoors in variable weather, maintain a good attitude and be willing to get
dirty!
•Interns must reside in the housing provided by Community
Rebuilds while participating in a CR program.
Exceptions can be made on rare occasions.
Fees and Compensation
Community Rebuilds is unique among natural building organizations
in that we offer internship programs
free of cost to students who
complete the semester in full. In
addition, as compensation for their time commitment, interns will receive a food stipend of $100 per
month and free communal lodging. The house provided for interns is located in
the city of Moab
and contains every amenity: internet,
furniture, washing machine and cookware.
The house itself consists of a kitchen, two bathrooms, living room and
five bedrooms. Each bedroom is generally
shared by two interns of the same sex.
Interns participating as couples are an exception to this trend.
College Credit
This is not a college affiliated program. However, if you would like to receive college
credit for your time with us, we will gladly work with a professor to make that
a reality.
Please speak with us about your interest in this matter.
Leaving A CR Program Early
An intern who leaves the program early is required to make a
compensation payment of $1000 to Community Rebuilds. These funds are used to hire labor to replace
the absent intern. In order to insure
payment, we require each intern to provide us with credit card information or $1000
in the form of a check at the beginning of the semester. Credit cards are charged and checks are cashed
only if the intern leaves the program early. In extreme cases, interns
may be excused from the program without penalty. Cases are reviewed by the CR board in order
to determine whether they qualify for early leave without penalty.
These policies are not meant to intimidate you. It is not our desire to keep this money. It is our earnest desire to keep every
student until the semester is complete.
If you are concerned about your ability to commit to an entire semester,
or if you have any questions about this policy, please communicate with
us.
Opportunities in Moab
Our location in Moab allows interns many
opportunities to experience a truly beautiful and exciting region. On their days off they might enjoy hiking in
the La Sal Mountains, kayaking the Colorado River, or climbing around on the miles
of red rock surrounding Moab. Countless hiking trails and swimming holes
are accessible by bike and the surrounding desert region is available for backpacking
and camping trips. Also nearby are two
amazing national parks worth exploring: Arches National Park
and Canyonlands
National Park. Furthermore, because Moab
is such a fantastic area, it draws in multitudes of visitors, giving CR interns
many opportunities for friendship and adventure.
More than just a beautiful landscape or tourist destination,
Moab
offers a tight-knit community that takes pride in its town and the surrounding
region. Nonprofits have flourished in
this environment, offering Community Rebuilds not only a welcoming nonprofit
family, but also many opportunities for CR interns to make connections with
other organizations. Past interns have
enjoyed volunteering for Wabi Sabi, Moab's local nonprofit thrift store; the Moab Valley
Multicultural Center,
an organization that works to promote intercultural understanding and
appreciation; and the Youth Garden Project, a nonprofit that promotes environmental
awareness through organic gardening, experiential education programs and
community service. By volunteering for
organizations like these, interns develop strong ties with the community, and
experience Moab
in richer, more fulfilling ways.
