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Recruitment began on April 3, 2024
Expires July 3, 2024
Internships
Don’t just work this summer! Teach!
Are you looking to make an impact this summer? The Fresh Air Fund is looking for enthusiastic individuals to make an impact on New York City youth this summer. Working at camp is more than a job. At camp you’ll not only work and be paid, but you’ll be a part of a community of excited peers from all around the world, you’ll try new things, spend your days by the lake or in the woods, all while mentoring and supporting amazing youth.
Since 1877 The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences for youth from underserved communities. Each summer The Fresh Air Fund operates 6 sleep-away camps on two separate properties in upstate New York. Our philosophy is the same, but each camp serves a different age group and population with their own distinct culture. To find out more about each camp, please visit: https://freshair.org/learn-about-our-camps/
Fishkill, NY: 5 of our camps are in Fishkill, NY on Sharpe Reservation.
Camp ABC: girls, ages 9-15
Camp Hayden Marks: boys, ages 9-12
Camp Tommy: boys, ages 12-15
Camp Hidden Valley: youth, ages 8 – 12
Camp Mariah (Career Awareness Program): youth, grades 7-9
Harriman State Park, NY: Camp Junior is located in Harriman State Park.
Camp Junior: youth, ages 8-15
Ideal staff are enthusiastic, open-minded, and looking for a job that is both difficult and rewarding. We’re currently preparing for summer 2024 and hiring for multiple positions.
Position Summary
Program Specialists or Activity Leaders are staff who are passionate about sharing their expertise with campers! Activity Leaders, lead activities from arts and crafts, creative writing, and sports, to archery, hiking, nature exploration and more! No formal teacher training is required. The Fresh Air Fund is looking for excited, creative, and curious people to share their passions with NYC youth.
Program Specialists / Activity Leaders will report to the Director of Specialists.
Responsibilities
- Plan and facilitate four to six daily activities.
- Supervise the staff assigned to activity area, utilizing their skills to enhance the program.
- Responsible for ordering and maintaining equipment and supplies and keeping the program area clean. This may include lifting heavy supplies and program equipment.
- Prepare and submit reports, evaluations, supply requests and inventories as requested by the Director of Specialists.
- When not teaching or in scheduled prep time, work as a General Counselor in assigned village.
- Provide 24-hour-a-day direct supervision, leadership and guidance to campers with assigned co-counselors. This includes supervising the group in between and during the daily program, planning cabin activities, eating meals with campers and behavior management.
- Assume responsibility for the safety and well-being of campers.
- Live in a cabin with 6-12 campers and co-counselors for the full duration of each camp session. Time off during each encampment will be arranged by a supervisor.
- Understand that the position involves living in cabins with little to no privacy and eating all meals with campers in a large, noisy dining room.
- Understand that campers come first and decisions should be made in the best interest of campers.
- Address stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment.
- Be an active member of the camp community by participating in all camp programming including camp-wide events, overnights, hikes, swimming, activities and village meetings. This includes but is not limited to: going on hikes in the woods on camp property and going in the water during swimming activities. At times, lifting heavy objects may be necessary.
- Write daily reports and a final evaluation for each camper to help evaluate their needs, goals and progress during their camp experience.
- Strive to work in a cooperative manner with fellow staff to achieve goals of the program.
- Explain and enforce the policies, traditions, and rules of camp.
- Invest time with campers to meet their needs, challenge their capabilities and serve as a role model during their time at camp.
- Take ownership of the use and care of camp equipment and facilities.
- Be totally familiar with emergency procedures and follow them when necessary.
- Additional responsibilities as needed and assigned.
Qualifications
- Must be at least 18 years of age by the start of camp.
- At least two years of college or equivalent is preferred.
- A minimum of one year’s experience working with children is required. Staff must be passionate about working with children.
- One year of teaching experience in specialty area is highly preferred with a demonstrated ability to design activities that are based on experiential/active learning theory.
- Interested in working and living in the outdoors for the summer.
- Emotionally mature with a willingness to work as a team player and to maintain a positive attitude.
- Flexible and willing to accept challenges and step outside comfort zone.
- Available for the entire duration of the summer program.
he Fresh Air Fund requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or to apply for reasonable accommodation.
Employment Period: June 12, 2024 – August 17, 2024
Compensation: $2,600
Benefits: None
Application Instructions
To apply, please submit a Program Specialist application. We are hiring on a rolling basis and encourage interested applicants to apply as early as possible. No calls or recruiters, please.
The Fresh Air Fund is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring, and dedicated to diversity in its work and on its staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, orientations, and communities to apply.
