The Madison Schools Community Recreation (MSCR) Internship Program has provided students from across the country with opportunities for real-world experiences to enhance their academic programs. Mississippi, Oregon, Arizona, Kentucky, California, Michigan, Minnesota and, of course, Wisconsin — these are just a few of the states MSCR interns call home.

Most interns are completing their final semester of college in areas such as recreation & park management, social services, sports management or leisure studies. The interns spend a semester (usually about 16 weeks) working full-time at MSCR in an assigned program area or multiple areas.

Here are snapshots of some of the recent and current MSCR Interns:

• Rob Welty: Rob was a student intern in the Spring 2008 from UW-Whitewater majoring in sports management. Originally from southern California, Rob worked with MSCR Supervisor Chad Thom to assist in the development of the Adaptive Sports programs.

  Rob is a member of the nationally ranked UW-Whitewater Wheelchair Basketball team and has played a key role in initiating a team in Madison. Rob recently graduated from UW-Whitewater. He will be heading back to southern California to begin a graduate program at Cal State-Long Beach in Sports Administration while working with the Rancho Rehabilitation Center as a coach.

• Sarah Zahn: Sarah has just arrived at MSCR from Central Michigan University. Originally from Michigan's upper peninsula, Sarah is finishing her degree in recreation, parks & leisure services administration with a two-semester internship with MSCR. She will be graduating in December 2008.

  Sarah will be working with MSCR Specialists Cristine Reid on arts & enrichment programming and Jean O'Leary with senior fitness. In her short time here Sarah has already started to get a feel for the scope of preparation for thousands of summer program participants and training for hundreds of new staff.

• Aaron Berres-Paul: Aaron was a student in parks & recreation management at Northern Arizona University. Originally from the state of Oregon, Aaron worked as an intern with the MSCR Youth Sports programs during the summer of 2007.

  Aaron is pictured here working with the youth t-ball program, one of many where he learned program management and leadership. Aaron has gone on to accept his first professional position with the Portland (Oregon) Boys & Girls Club.

Students interested in MSCR's Internship Program can find additional information and application procedures at the MSCR website: www.mscr.org or can contact Sharon Neylon, MSCR Outreach Manager.

Rob Welty

Sarah Zahn

Aaron Berres-Paul