Special Diet Nutrition Intern – Summer Camp
Join us in our mission to provide life-changing experiences that enhance independence and self-esteem for children and adults with disabilities!
About the Role
As a Special Diet Nutrition Intern, you’ll help ensure campers, staff, and clients with special dietary needs receive safe, appropriate, and enjoyable meals throughout their True Friends experience. You’ll work alongside the food service team to plan and prepare special diet meals, communicate with families and caregivers, and help ensure dietary requirements are understood and followed.
This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in nutrition, food service, and working with individuals with a variety of dietary needs.
Where You Could Work
- Camp Friendship | Annandale, MN
- Camp Eden Wood | Eden Prairie, MN
- Camp Courage | Maple Lake, MN
Special Diet Nutrition Interns may work at one, two, or all three of our camp locations during the summer, depending on program needs, assignment, and availability.
You don’t have to live near a True Friends site to apply! Our camp staff positions offer on-site housing and meals during employment, making this a great opportunity for individuals who live outside the immediate area, including those from other states!
What You’ll Do
Your responsibilities may include:
- Develop alternate menus to meet participants’ special dietary needs
- Prepare, cook, and serve food while assisting with other food service responsibilities
- Communicate with parents and caregivers regarding participants’ special diet requirements and answer questions
- Assist with training kitchen staff on special diet requirements and procedures
- Greet and welcome parents and caregivers
- Maintain cleanliness of kitchen and dining areas
- Assist with inventory of special diet foods and purchasing as needed
- Ensure special diet items are properly returned to parents or caregivers at checkout
- Work collaboratively with the food service team to help provide safe and appropriate meals
- Perform other duties as assigned
Why You’ll Love It
- Gain hands-on experience: Apply your nutrition and food service knowledge in a real-world setting
- Make a difference: Help ensure campers with special dietary needs can fully participate in the camp experience
- Build your skills: Develop experience in menu planning, food preparation, communication, and dietary accommodations
- Work with a team: Collaborate with food service staff, caregivers, and other True Friends team members
- Experience something new: Work in an active camp environment while supporting individuals with a variety of needs
Schedule
- Full-time, seasonal
- All hired staff complete required orientation and training
- Specific schedules and time commitments vary by program and assignment
- Kitchen operations tun from 6am – 9pm daily
- Staff should be prepared to work a combination of weekday/weekend and day/evening hours based on program needs
What You’ll Bring to the Table
- Must be enrolled in a dietetics, nutrition, food service, or related program
- Must be able to pass the required organizational background study
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to demonstrate leadership and maintain a professional presence
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
- Food preparation experience preferred
- Interest in nutrition, special diets, food service, or working with individuals with disabilities
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
The work environment includes both indoor and outdoor settings, with primary responsibilities in a kitchen and dining environment. Staff should be prepared to:
- Work in a kitchen environment with exposure to heat, cold, food preparation equipment, and other typical kitchen conditions
- Walk, sit, stand, bend, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and move throughout the workday
- Lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds
- Hear and communicate verbally with campers, staff, families, and caregivers
- Feel objects and use fingers to operate tools and controls
- Work with individuals who may have a range of physical, cognitive, behavioral, and communication needs
Specific physical demands and environmental conditions may vary based on the assignment.
Compensation
- New Special Diet Interns are paid an hourly rate: $16.02 per hour
- Returning staff may be eligible for higher rates
