We are hiring day camp counselors for two of our summer camps: Pathfinders Camp (ages 5-6) and Farm & Garden Camp (ages 6-11, plus Counselors-in-Trainings or CITs from age 12+).

Our summer camp counselors are the backbone of our summer here at New Village. We host around 300 campers over the course of the summer, many of whom return year after year because they love the blend of freedom, trust, responsibility, and fun at the core of our programs.

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1. Pathfinders (ages 5-6, plus CITs from age 12+): Pathfinders is a program designed to serve our youngest campers with smaller group sizes and a space all their own for exploration, imagination, and the joyful work of the farm. This program eases newcomers into the magic and responsibility of work with animals and plants at a moderate pace. We spend our morning working with the animals and in the garden, and our afternoons are spent exploring the woods, quarry, fields, and marshes around the farm, and diving into the interests that emerge from the group. Projects can range from animal care, gardening, simple carpentry, wilderness skills, nature crafts, painting, and whatever we dream up together. Those applying to lead Pathfinders must have relevant, professional experience working with 4-6 year old children. In Pathfinders, there are 2 counselors for the 16 campers plus at least 2 CITs. Counselors will be working closely with the CITs, mentoring, giving feedback, etc.

2. Farm & Garden Camp (ages 6-11, plus CITs from age 12+): In F&G, we are committed to the kids’ participation in the stewardship of animals, farms, gardens, and wild spaces. We build our programs around their love of nature and animals, their capacity for kindness, their competence in work, and their right to belong. Mornings are spent working with animals and in the garden. Afternoons are spent in a mixture of free play and planned activities, including craft and construction projects, marsh/field/forest play, and lots of animal time. Counselors are responsible for implementing and leading activities each day (nature-based crafts, cooking, animal husbandry, games, etc). In F&G, there are 3 counselors for the 30 campers for 6/10 weeks, and 4 counselors for 35 campers for 4/10 weeks, plus at least 4 CITs. Counselors will be working closely with the CITs, mentoring, giving feedback, etc.

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Required Qualities:

• Relevant educational or childcare experience

• Prior farm experience, in livestock or veg, is preferred but not required

• A passion for the outdoors and the work of farming and gardening 

• A passion for fostering nature awareness, mindfulness, wonder, and creativity

• The ability to direct and support farm chore times for a mixed-age group, so that they experience satisfaction and competence

• The ability to support kids in pursuing healthy, self-directed projects and interests

• Exceptional group management skills

• A Behavior = Communication approach to discipline, familiarity with restorative practices 

• Professional and compassionate interpersonal skills

• The willingness and ability to be a strong mentor to our CITs, e.g., giving feedback, listening, etc.

• Exceptional intuition and judgment, and willingness to use it

• Reliable transportation (car, bus, or ability to coordinate carpooling with other counselors)

• A personal cell-phone for inter-counselor communication

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Responsibilities include:

• Managing the arc of the camp day, including farm chores (goat milking, chicken & bunny chores, pasture management, garden tasks, etc.)

• Leading morning and closing circles

• Teaching daily nature skills (weaving with cattails, plant-ID, natural dyeing, spinning wool, fire by friction, building skills, clay, etc)

• Mediating challenges within the group using restorative practices 

• Teaching and practicing safe farm boundaries

• Co-leading with our counselors and other farm staff

• Managing the CIT program (mentoring, giving feedback, etc.)

• Managing verbal communication with parents

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The counselor position runs from M-F 8-3:30 pm. The program runs from June 8th-August 21st. The first week is devoted to staff training. Counselors are encouraged to take time off during the summer, with appropriate lead time.

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Additionally, there are many opportunities to work with students on-farm prior to the beginning of the camp season. We are currently hiring an educator to co-lead Farm School in the Spring (Wednesdays 8:30am-3:30pm).

Hourly wage $17-20 dependent upon experience. 

 

Please send a cover letter, resume, contact information, and two references to newvillagefarmprograms@gmail.com. In your cover letter, please write about why you’d like to work in farm-based education, what you think feels unique about NVF, what skills/activities you’d like to bring to the work, and your relevant experience working with kids and farming. Please indicate your preference between Pathfinders or Farm & Garden Camp in your cover letter.

If you don’t hear back from us within 2 weeks, follow-up, we’re out farming!