A Holistic Expression of Hope
The Internship Program at the Brooksdale Environmental Centre is a residential apprenticeship-style program focused on living out environmental stewardship in practical and holistic ways. Internships include instruction and practical training in a concentration area – Conservation Science, Environmental Education, Sustainable Agriculture, or Food & Hospitality – yet they are so much more than work training! Internships are an invitation into a community, way of life, and expression of faith that seeks the flourishing of both people and places.
Interns live, learn, and work at Brooksdale’s beautiful heritage property in Surrey, BC. Internships run in two six-month terms, and one three three-month summer term a year. See “dates” section below for more information. Consider immersing yourself in this transformative experience for one or more terms this year!
Learn More
News from the Internship Program
Thirst: An Intern Reflection by Carly Richardson
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water… (Psalm 63:1) I came to [...]
The Beauty of Naming – An Intern Reflection by Noah Guthrie
The red wheelbarrow sank and heaved, dipped and bucked as I wrestled it downhill. A knot of grass tugged at the wheels. As I pressed through it, I plunged into a rut, forcing me to [...]
Don’t cry over spilled… Yoghurt?
I didn't know an A Rocha internship could include learning how to make eight liters of yoghurt! But what better way to practice environmental stewardship than to cut down on plastic containers and participate [...]
Program Overview
Interns live at the Brooksdale Environmental Center and participate in all that life and work here has to offer. The program is considered full-time and runs Tuesday – Saturday each week for a three-month term (Spring, Summer, or Fall). Sundays & Mondays & Holidays are off-days and interns are welcome to travel home, explore the local region, or spend some down-time at the center. There are three terms a year and many interns choose to stay for more than one term!
Program Components
Community
The Brooksdale Center is home year-round to residential staff and also hosts a guesthouse and retreat center. Interns enter into this vibrant intentional community and often express that they feel a sense of family in this place. Interns live together in a home on-site. Meals are shared together with residents and staff 5 days a week for lunch and supper. In addition to their program components interns are welcomed to participate in many of our regular community practices such as a daily contemplative prayer gatherings and weekly music or games nights.
Please note that all people who live on site are also responsible for participating in community life (chores, cooking, hospitality, and assisting with on-site events).
Concentration Options

Conservation Science

Environmental Education

Sustainable Agriculture

Food & Hospitality
Program Details
Location
Term Dates & Covid-19 Updates
*Update September 2021: The Canadian border is now open to vaccinated individuals for international travel. We welcome international applicants for 2022.
Please note that these dates are subject to change.
- Spring/Summer 2022 (FULL): February 9 – August 19 (arrival date February 8, departure August 20)
- Summer 2022 (FULL): May 18 – August 19 (arrival date May 17, departure August 20)
Still accepting applications:
- Summer/Fall 2022: May 18 – December 10 (arrival date May 17, departure December 11)
Cost
Costs for internships include all room and board, training and opportunities related to intern program areas, and community experience. The majority of this cost goes toward room and board, and the remaining portion goes toward covering some program activities (staffing, retreat, teaching times, program coordination, etc.). Staff also fundraise to help cover the costs of running this program!
Program Fees
Total Program Fees for Spring/Summer session: $5510 ($2700 spring + farm week room and board + $2900 summer, including 10% discount on summer term)
Fees for Summer session: $2900
Fees for Summer/Fall session: $5910 ($2900 summer + farm week room and board + $2900 fall, including 10% discount on fall term)
Payment Schedule
Each term requires a $400 advance deposit to hold your spot, due upon acceptance, which will go toward the full cost of the program.
- Spring/Summer breakdown:
- $400 deposit
- Remaining spring fees (due on start of spring term) + summer deposit: 2300 + 400 = 2700
- Remaining summer fees (due at start of summer term) 2410
- Summer breakdown:
- $400 deposit
- Remaining summer fees (due at start of summer term): 2500
- Summer/fall breakdown:
- $400 deposit
- Remaining summer fees (due at start of summer term)+ fall deposit: 2500 + 400 = 2900
- Remaining fall fee (due at start of fall term): 2610
All prices in Canadian dollars.
*Prices all inclusive.
We are now offering a 10% discount on a second term and a 15% discount on a third term. Consider joining us for all three terms!
Please note we are unable to offer scholarships or bursaries towards the cost of the internship program.
Is This Program For Me?
Over the years we have had interns from all over the world and from all seasons and stages of life. Interns must be at least 18 years of age to apply. We have had singles, couples and even families intern in the past. Internship may be for you if you are:
- In a transitional season (gap-year, recent graduates, career change),
- Looking for a practical outworking of your values and faith,
- Interested in an intentional community learning and living experience,
- An international student looking for an environmental overseas experience,
- Needing to fill internship credits for a university program, or
- Wanting to get work training and experience in one of our concentration areas.
What past interns are saying
“My Internship at A Rocha exceeded all of my expectations! It was one of the best experiences of my life.”
~ Joseph Prescott Sones, Sustainable Agriculture Intern
“Being part of the A Rocha Canada community for a season was really rewarding and gave me a real sense of what working in the conservation field is like. I enjoyed all aspects of my internship and learned a lot about life, God, science, community, and food.”
~ Jennifer Rumley, Conservation Science Intern