Farm Camp Instructor

Farm Camp Instructors Pay:

$19.00 - $21.00 per hour Job description: Do you love teaching kids in a hands-on, outdoor environment? We're looking for creative, collaborative, and dynamic educators to join our team as Farm Camp Instructors at Common Ground Farm. Instructors guide camper groups through hands-on experiences in gardening, nature exploration, food, art, animals, and outdoor skills—helping campers connect directly with the farm and surrounding environment. Much of the day takes place outdoors in the garden, field, and woods. Each instructor leads a camper group of approximately 12-14 children and works in partnership with a counselor. Together, they support the group throughout the day and help ensure campers Instructors will be provided with lesson plans and materials for weekly STEM and art projects and will lead activities such as gardening, cooking (including over the fire and with induction burners), and nature exploration. During orientation week, instructors will learn how to teach these lessons. They will also be given simple, adaptable recipes and shown how to use them to teach cooking skills based on what is available to harvest. They will also be shown basic gardening skills—such as planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting—and how to teach these skills to children. Instructors are responsible for implementing activities with campers and adapting them as needed based on weather and available materials. Afternoon choice time is also a great opportunity for instructors to share a particular interest or skill set. Instructors will plan and lead an afternoon choice activity (for example: art, sports, outdoor skills, crafts, or games). Educators with experience or interest in gardening, outdoor and environmental education, art, cooking, or science, are especially encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

Learn and teach our lesson plans in areas such as art, STEM, cooking, and gardening Lead and support a consistent camper group of approximately 12-14 children with your assigned counselor Create and lead afternoon choice time activities Manage supplies and maintain inventory by keeping materials organized, returning items to their designated storage areas, and noting supply levels so items can be restocked as needed. Work with your counselor to make sure campers are supported and having a great time Set up and prepare materials before each day's activities Help clean up each day, including sanitizing and pitching in with setup and takedown Participate in short, twice weekly staff meetings

What We're Looking For:

Teaching experience Interest or knowledge in gardening, nature, food, art, science, or outdoor education Comfortable learning and implementing lesson plans across several subject areas (art, STEM, cooking, gardening, and nature exploration) A collaborative team member excited to work with other educators, counselors, and farm staff

Schedule:

Camp Dates:

June 29 - August 21 (8 weeks)

Orientation:

June 22-26 This position is 36-40 hours per week onsite, with the option of additional hours during before and after care.

Location:

Wappingers, New York, Common Ground Farm About Common Ground Farm Common Ground Farm is a non-profit organization based in Beacon, NY with a mission to support and engage our community by fostering access and connection to fresh food and local agriculture. 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.

To Apply:

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

Job Types:

Full-time, Temporary, Seasonal Work Location:

In person

Job Types:

Full-time, Temporary Pay:

$19.00 - $21.00 per hour Ability to

Commute:

Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 (Preferred) Ability to

Relocate:

Wappingers Falls, NY 12590: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location:

In person