Interns assigned to the Visitor Services Department assist the Volunteer Coordinator in recruiting volunteers and maintaining esprit de corps and enthusiasm among volunteers and staff. The internship program runs for 11 weeks. Interns participating in the Spring session arrive February 6-7, 2001. Summer 2001 session runs from June 7 to August 23, 2001. Fall session is from October 4 to December 20, 2001.
Interns arrive a day or two before internship begins.
During the orientation week, interns learn about garden operations, epiphyte biology and canopy ecology. Research interns meet with their advisers and carry out their research projects after orientation. Other interns continue the orientation program and spend three days each working with the other three departments. A horticulture intern, for instance, spends three days working with research, education, and management. Interns work with a supervisor or an adviser on a special assignment, task, or research project.