Job Opportunities

ComMON GROUND FARM CAMP STAFF:

At Farm Camp, kids learn through collaboration, exploration, imagination, and discovery. Children engage directly with farmland and the natural world and make their own culinary, scientific, and artistic creations with their own hands. Campers spend time in the garden, at the pond, in the field, in the barn, and along our nature trails. Kids develop new skills, make new friends, and grow an appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the natural environment within which we live.

Farm Camp runs from 9am to 3pm Monday through Friday, June 30 through August 22 (no camp July 4) at Stony Kill Farm, 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY. 

This year, Farm Camp is open to children ages 4 to 9 for the first three weeks and is open to ages 4 to 12 for the last five weeks. Children will be grouped according to age.

Farm Camp Counselor

Counselors support campers in all of their daily needs, from helping them feel comfortable at drop off, to making sure they stay hydrated throughout the day, to supporting and encouraging budding friendships, to helping kids get their things together at the end of the day.

Responsibilities include: 

  • Monitoring the safety of campers including sign in/sign out process, remaining aware of campers’ locations, assisting campers with safely crossing the farm road and following safety practices on the farm

  • Offering start and end of day activities for campers as they arrive and are picked up from camp, and activities for during the lunch hour

  • Ensuring that campers’ needs are met, including managing bathroom and water breaks, helping campers with snacks and meals, applying sunscreen and bug repellant, and helping to resolve minor conflicts between campers 

  • Managing campers’ belongings

  • Assist instructors in daily activities, including making sure names are on projects, distributing supplies, and assisting campers in completing projects

  • Assist in set up/clean up responsibilities for both their own group and the camp as a whole (wipe down tables, put away supplies, take out garbage, etc) as needed and as assigned

  • Participate in weekly staff meetings 

Requirements:

  • Candidates must have experience working with children

  • Candidates must be organized and energetic

  • Candidates must enjoy spending time with children. 

This position is 36 hours a week on-site, with the option of additional hours during before and after care.

This is a 36 to 40 hour a week, seasonal, paid position for the weeks of June 30 through August 22 plus up to an additional three days of training the week of June 23 through June 27. Starting rate is $16 per hour.

To apply, send a cover letter, a resume, and 3 references to Kate Sanderson at education@commongroundfarm.org. Please write Farm Camp Counselor in the subject line.

Farm Camp Instructor

Instructors develop the programming for our morning and some afternoon sessions. Our instructors are able to effectively and joyfully teach groups of approximately 10 to 12 campers about nature, food, farming, art, and animals. Educators who can bring a special talent to share with the camp community--such as musical ability, artistic creativity, love of the outdoors, etc. is a plus.

Responsibilities include: 

  • Developing age appropriate and fun lesson plans based on weekly themes (Themes this year include: Creatures on the Farm, Plant Pros, Future Farmers, STEM on the Farm, Natural Navigators, Growing Artists, Making a Farmers’ Market, Field to Feast)

  • Creating a weekly supply list for supplies needed for the next week of camp

  • Coordinating with the counselor assigned to the group to ensure all campers’ needs are met

  • Prepping materials and spaces to conduct lesson plans

  • Assist with daily clean up.  Which includes: putting supplies away, sanitizing areas, cleaning up messes made,. and participating in camp set up/take down responsibilities as needed and as assigned

  • Participate in weekly planning meeting

  • Participate in weekly staff meeting

Requirements: 

  • Instructors must have teaching experience and feel comfortable working with a variety of ages

  • Instructors must be able to write dynamic, experiential-based lesson plans

  • We are looking for instructors with a collaborative spirit who are able to work together as a team with our farm crew, the other instructors, and our counselors. 

The position includes 36 hours on-site plus 4 hours each week to plan and prep for lessons.

This is a full time, seasonal paid position for the weeks of June 30 through August 22 plus up to an additional three days training the week of June 23 through June 27. The starting rate is $19 per hour.

We are also looking for instructors who have specialized skills in art, cooking, science or outdoor skills to work with our oldest campers full-time for one week of camp.

To apply, send a cover letter, a resume, a sample lesson plan, and 3 references to Kate Sanderson at education@commongroundfarm.org. Please write Farm Camp Instructor in the subject line.

Common Ground Farm believes we are strengthened by the diversity of our staff, our board and our community and welcomes such diversity, including race, gender identity or expression, educational attainment, disability, and veteran status. We welcome applications from people of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.