Become a Mountains of Stars Astronomy & Nature Guide
The Astronomy & Nature Guide position is a 12 week summer experience in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire and the North Woods region of Maine. There are endless opportunities to hike, paddle, and climb in these spectacular locations. You will conduct daytime and nighttime observing sessions, planetarium shows, dark skies preservation demonstrations, astronomy themed games, and other hands-on learning activities for a range of audiences and age groups. Astronomy and communication educators will instruct you in science communication and outreach skills that will contribute to your professional development, while preparing you to deliver programs that will foster understanding of the universe and our impact on the Earth.
You will use state-of-the-art equipment — top flight telescopes, eyepieces, and accessories, including white light and H-alpha solar telescopes. Other tools available include: planetarium projectors and inflatable planetarium domes, as well as a variety of demonstration gear.
Live and work at spectacular locations in New Hampshire & Maine
Photo: Gorman Chairback Lodge, Maine
Facilities & Housing
You will board at one of the Appalachian Mountain Club facilities in New Hampshire or Maine. The AMC is the oldest outdoors education, recreation, and conservation organization in the United States. Founded in 1876, the AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of America’s Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Mountains of Stars programs are offered at AMC facilities in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Northwoods region of Maine, as well as in state parks and at schools and libraries in the region. Guides live and work at AMC lodges, such as the Highland Center in Crawford Notch, the Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch, and the Medawisla and Gorman Chairback Lodges in Maine. Guides also hike in to deliver programs to guests at the AMC high mountain huts in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Pinkham Notch • New Hampshire
Crawford Notch • New Hampshire
100-Mile Wilderness • Maine
Amenities
Housing at each location varies, but generally you can expect:
A room with at least one roommate
Access to bathrooms, laundry facilities, and wifi
Meals provided (some staff housing has access to kitchens, others do not)
Beautiful mountains and lakes with hiking trails right outside your door!
“Of all the possible summer internships available in astronomy, I really do think that this one is the most fun, educational, beautiful, and gratifying.”
— Dartmouth student, summer 2017
Enrollment for 2021 is cancelled due to COVID 19.
Please check back for updates and announcement of 2022 programs!
2020 Program Information
Dates
TBD
Application Deadline
TBD
Training Workshop (required)
TBD
Public Program begins
TBD
Program ends
Note: Schedule accommodation can be made for students whose academic calendars conflict with these dates (i.e., on quarter or trimester schedule). However, the Training Workshop is mandatory for all participants.
Salary
$4000 - Pending Funding
Also included:
Room and meals ($3,000 value)
Free use of AMC-supplied outdoor gear
Attendance at the Springfield Telescope Makers’ Stellafane Telescope Convention
Schedule
Work is conducted on a 40-hour work week. The specific weekly schedule is set in consultation with the AMC Program Director at each facility. Days off will be scheduled for each team member on a weekly basis. Guides are expected to participate in the full program schedule over the 12 week work period.