We specialize in training and coordinating Young-America Heroes who:

  1. Volunteer their time to serve the vacationing public and to assist government agencies managing park lands.
  2. Raise appreciation for the wonders of nature while building positive memories for families on vacation.
  3. Provide wholesome volunteers for young people looking at role-models.
  4. Expand Christian culture.

Internship facts

Scholarship facts

More than 300 college aged men and women have served in the internship experience in the past 30 years.

80% of these are currently in work-related Christian influenc.

Virtually 100% of them have reported that the life-long skills they acquired in the internship program have been among the most practical training of their lives.

Secondary skill training and accountability includes: Task Excellence, Safety Planning, Large Group Organization—skills that make their profession and their influence credible.

 

Basic—No charge for training. RU provides housing and a monetary allowance for food and personal expenses.

Educational—In addition, at the close of the season, on a pro rata basis, award funds are sent to intern’s account at the school of their choice. These scholarships are limited in number and usually awarded to students demonstrating financial need.

Leadership—Additional sums may be added to the above mentioned amounts for students returning to serve another year  with RU or who carry leadership responsibilities.

 


Missions and personal development

Missions experience—learn and practice the following:

  • Cross-cultural friendship building

  • Encouraging family value

  • Deflecting praise

  • Sharing the burden of government responsibility

  • Maturing excellence in social-interaction and influence

  • Sharing your personal testimony —when asked

  • Modeling applied Christian values

  • Create “community” among strangers

Personal growth for you:

  • Practice skills of cross-cultural missions

  • Develop organizing and leadership skills

  • Apply teaching skills and lesson-plan practice

  • Increase comfort in “up-front” role

  • Practice public-speaking

  • Journaling of answered prayer

  • Develop integration of professional vocation with ministry

  • Earn civil-service credit

  • Be refreshed in pristine natural surroundings

  • Return to school energized

  • Make new friends

Excellence in skill building is offered especially for:

  • Teachers
  • Social Service Work
  • Forestry
  • Outdoor Educators
  • Recreation Managers
  • Marketing Careers
  • Communication Professions
  • Medical Careers
  • Counseling Careers
  • Law Enforcement           
  • Overseas Missions
  • Biologists
  • Personnel Managers
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Sports Coaches
  • Pastors
  • Development Directors
  • Architects
  • Photographers 

Current opportunities

RU has many more requests from parks than it can currently fill. So you are needed now more than ever!

We are currently placing interns in:

  • PRIEST LAKE STATE PARK - IDAHO

  • LIONHEAD STATE PARK - IDAHO

  • INDIAN CREEK STATE PARK - IDAHO

  • HEYBURN STATE PARK - IDAHO

  • WALLOWA LAKE STATE PARK - OREGON

More About RU

Legal Name: Re-Creation Unlimited, Inc.

Definition: A volunteer organization founded in 1982 to train and place active Christians into public service and contact through government recreation agencies. The RU person demonstrates applied Christianity to everyone in the park-community without discrimination toward race, gender, religion, age, or nationality; and to the development of their personal best.

Function: RU trains interns in how to work with the public in a leadership capacity. They plan, coordinate, and conduct recreation/interpretation events. They will assist in conducting public worship events for children and adults. Highlighted activities include: learning-games; sports contests; nature experiences; hiking; outdoor skills; contests; swimming; family-friendly activities; nature crafts; local history interpretation; and safety procedures. (Corporate sponsors often provide prizes!)



I wouldn’t change a thing about my RU Summer for the world! I’ve honed so many great skills this summer: people skills, public speaking skills, writing skills, critical thinking skills . . . the list just continues.
— Andie MacGowen, Marine Biology (Hillsdale College)