Overnight Camp Gardening and Sustainability Counselor

Overnight Camp Gardening and Sustainability Counselor

The Gardener & Driver at Camp DREAM will be responsible for being a support in executing our overnight summer camp, through maintaining and designing our garden to elevate youth’s camp experience. You will serve in a team and be responsible for supporting our goal of providing a safe, fun, enriching overnight camp experience at our Camp DREAM property to the youth we serve who come from Vermont, Boston, and Philadelphia. 

The DREAM Program is committed to dismantling systems of oppression that affect our youth and families. This organizational commitment means that members should join this space with an intention of learning, unlearning, and diving into ways that your involvement will directly contribute to DREAM’s mission of reducing the Opportunity Gap while also supporting the dismantling of other systemic inequities. We seek members who contribute to The DREAM Program’s diverse community, as having different perspectives, identities, and skills are what allow us to excel in our service. DREAM seeks members who are ready to engage in and foster an inclusive environment, and who strive to deliver culturally appropriate and relevant programming to the youth we serve. Incoming members and staff should understand that we serve marginalized communities, which means that it is imperative that diversity, equity, and inclusivity are infused into every aspect of our work as an organization.

Objectives of Service as the Gardening and Sustainability Counselor: 

• You will design and maintain the Camp DREAM garden including vegetable plants and flowers.
• You will plan and run activities for campers in the garden and involving the animals.
• You will help transform the garden into an engaging learning space for campers. 

The Experience of Service as the Gardening and Sustainability Counselor:

• You will be integral in designing a garden plan that allows for growing vegetables, fruit, and flowers.
• On a daily basis you will maintain the garden and engage campers in garden maintenance and programming in the garden.
• You will care for the animals daily including cleaning out coops, filling food and water containers, and bathing the animals as needed. 
• You will be living residentially at our Camp DREAM property with your co-service members. Applicants should feel comfortable with being in a rustic, forest environment and having limited access to internet or phone reception.

Required Qualifications: 

• Excitement for engaging youth in gardening and sustainability activities and willingness to be a role model for youth. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage time and set priorities while giving consideration to those who you are serving, your fellow team members, the organization, and the self.
• 2-3 years of driving experience.
• Current driver’s license, proof of insurance, and clean driving record.
• To be an AmeriCorps member you MUST be 17 years or older, and be a US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien. 
• Excitement and passion around working with youth. 
• Commitment to the entire service term (June 3rd-August 16th), which includes ability and willingness to live at the Camp DREAM property for the entirety of the term.
• Commitment to the mission of AmeriCorps and DREAM.
• Desire to enhance existing skills and develop new skills necessary for service.
• Commitment to serve as a role model for youth.
• Elevated awareness of issues of social equity and social justice with a commitment to continued learning as it relates to serving our diverse community in a manner that is respectful and aware. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience gardening, homesteading, and/or small construction projects
• Creativity, energy, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Term and Compensation:

• Dates of service: June 3, 2024-August 16, 2024. 

• 60-75 hours per week, 450 total service hours. 

• $750 biweekly, $4,500 total (6 pay periods) 
  • These are PRE-TAX amounts.
• Upon completion of dates and total hours, you will receive an education award of $1,956.35 (pre-tax). Click here to learn more about the Segal Education Award. 
• Free housing for your entire term is included. 
• AmeriCorps members are also eligible for:
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (food stamps)
  • Child care assistance
  • Student loan deferment (forbearance)
  • Other publicly-funded benefits, such as heating and utility assistance.
• If you engage in work-related travel outside of your commute, DREAM will provide reimbursement for mileage.
• As an AmeriCorps member at DREAM, you will have the additional support of a DREAM AmeriCorps Director to help you navigate your service term and apply for publicly funded programs.

Travel:  Staff who meet the driving requirements for DREAM will be expected to assist with camper transportation to and from camp weekly. Drives will be done in pairs, and may be 1-9 hours long. Out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be occasionally expected.

Work environment:  This position primarily operates in an outdoor environment with active children and other service members, for extended periods of time, and in all types of weather and environmental factors (heat, cold, wet, etc.). This role will operate occasionally in an office-type environment and may use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee/member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job: 

• This position requires comfort working in outdoor environments, regardless of the weather.  This position can be very active and frequently requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing.  
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to communicate with individuals who talk and hear.  
• The employee/member will occasionally be required to lift and/or move items over 50 pounds.  
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to observe and comprehend using vision abilities that include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

AAP/EEO Statement:  The DREAM Program is an equal opportunity employer and an incorporated 501(c)3 charitable organization. The DREAM Program prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

At will employment:  The DREAM Program is an at will employer. Employment with The DREAM Program is voluntary and is subject to termination by you or The DREAM Program at will, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time. The policy of employment-at-will may not be modified by any officer or employee.