Position: Adventure Internship with Old Town Outfitters (www.bikeguatemala.com), an adventure travel organisation based in Antigua, Guatemala that provides single and multi-day opportunities for mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking and kayaking throughout Guatemala, Central America.

Places Available: One Intern per Session.
Time Period: Option of 2 or 3 Month Internship
Location: Antigua, Guatemala

Internship Details: Old Town Outfitter Interns will have the unique opportunity to receive practical work experience with a well-respected adventure travel organisation. Interns will work a minimum of 25 hours per week although hours will fluctuate depending on personal interests and the schedule of activities. Interns may do a number of different tasks, from changing a flat tire on a muddy road in the middle of a rainstorm to showing clients the best way to lounge in a hot spring at the base of a beautiful waterfall. The work in the business oftentimes fluctuates depending on circumstances. Thus an Intern must be prepared to step in and help perform any duty, and in the end appreciate the learning opportunity presented by the task.

Interns will live with a Guatemalan family in Antigua. Interns will have their own bedroom when in Antigua. Bathrooms are shared amongst those living in the house. The Host Family provides three meals daily except for Sunday. Typical foods include many vegetables & fruits, tamales, tacos, tortillas, beans, fried plantains [like bananas], huevos rancheros, rice, chicken, pork sausages and beef. When out on an adventure trip, Interns will be staying in tents and hotels, depending on the type of trip. Interns will be able to take two personal days weekly.

Spanish Classes: This program includes 15 hours of Spanish lessons weekly. Communicating is an important component to reaping the most possible out of this cultural immersion and Interns will have numerous opportunities to practice oral skills with their host family. Spanish language skills are valuable when spending time in the shop or interacting with the locals while in the field.

Internship Responsibilities:

• Be responsible for the safety of each guide and client during trips.
• Provide exciting adventure travel experiences to our clients
• Care and maintain all equipment, which may include cleaning bikes, washing dishes, cleaning tents, etc.
• Help keep the shop clean.
• Meet and greet clients and educate them about our trips.
• Meet and greet clients and educate them about our equipment for sale.
• Prepare meals and snacks for clients during trips.
• Drive clients to various locations for trips or offer vehicle support.
• Promote publicity around Antigua, from flyers on walls to meetings at schools.
• Offer logistical support for OTO expeditions on the trail.

Internship Project:

Interns will be responsible for completing an independent project. The project content will be selected by the Intern after the second week on site. This project will be geared toward the individual goals of the Intern and will generate feelings of ownership and responsibility. Examples of projects are:

• Develop further community service opportunities for the company·
• Determine the feasibility of new adventure trips and then develop them or revamp current trips· Further develop the company’s web based presence and local marketing plan.
• Develop training programs for the guides in specific adventure activities or other important aspects of the company·
• Develop a corporate training program that can be offered to multi national, government and non-government organizations across Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

Additional Local Opportunities outside of the internship program:

• Take an overnight trip to one of many locations around Guatemala
• Read a book in Central Park and appreciate the activity in the heart of the town.
• Investigate the many ruins or old colonial homes within and surrounding Antigua.
• Visit a museum – from colonial art to coffee to Mayan music.
• Take a yoga class and then pamper yourself with a massage or spa.
• Attend a religious service in one of the beautiful 16th century churches.
• Take a salsa class during the day and then show off your moves at a local dance club that night.
• Visit the local “Mercado” [market] full of fruits, meats and typical Guatemalan life.
• In the immediate area Interns also have the opportunity to go horse back riding ($35), learn how to weave tipica (Q40/hr), visit local coffee fincas ($15), volunteer with projects for Guatemalan children (free) or celebrate many of the cultural fiestas that occur ($ various).

Old Town Outfitters: Old Town Outfitters was the brainchild of Matthew Hartell and his brother. Matt and his brother first visited Guatemala in 1995. After being entranced by the culture, people and incredible landscapes they decide to return to open an outdoor/bike center. In 1998 they returned to Antigua with bikes, tools and camping gear and opened up a shop. In the beginning they offered many local bike rides and a couple multi-day trips. Five and a half years later, Matt is still here and his brother has thus returned to the states. The shop itself has grown to become the premiere adventure travel company in Guatemala serving travellers, volunteers, US and UK based adventure travel agencies, as well as the local indigenous communities. Old Town Outfitters now has five full time staff members, as well as several other adjunct guides.

Old Town Outfitters is committed to having a positive impact on the environment and communities in which it travels. For the past several years they have performed many service projects for the local community including a “Bike Rodeo” for the children of a local town, where they provided free bike maintenance and sponsored bike races in the town centre. Their most recent community endeavour is raising money through the sales of t-shirts in order to buy a local school a blackboard for its students. Old Town Outfitters is devoted to promoting positive relationships with the local communities as well as supporting sustainable tourism with minimal environmental impact. The key is to experience and enjoy in a manner that will support rather than damage our chosen destinations.

Internship Logistics:Transportation: La Aurora International, Guatemala CityInterns will be met by a member of the staff at the airport on the first day of the program. Interns will be returned to the airport on their final day.Requirements: Interns should have a clean and valid driver’s license. Interns need to be physically fit enough to participate in the activities we offer. They also need to be fit enough to assist in any medical emergencies that may occur, including a stretcher evacuation of a patient over several miles.An open and flexible mind, a friendly and motivated spirit, and a dedicated desire to learn are all required. This is not an internship for folks who will only be willing to give a half-hearted effort. Each member of the team relies on the others to pull their own weight. When someone falters in their responsibilities, the whole team feels the effects. At times this can be a danger to self and others. Also, this program is not a Central American vacation. Interns will work hard, as well as have the opportunity to play hard.

Internship Fee:
2 month $ 2960
3 month $ 4440

Cost includes three meals every day except Sunday, accommodation with local Guatemalan family in Antigua, 15 hours of Spanish lessons per week, airport transfers, use of gear and training fees during your internship with Old Town Outfitters. Cost does not include comprehensive travel insurance (recommended), flights to Guatemala City, and meals on Sunday.