Camp DREAM Summer Counselor: AmeriCorps
Counselors at Camp DREAM will be responsible for executing our overnight summer camp. You will work in a team and be responsible for 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 a Camp Counselor:
- You will work with the Camp Director and counselor team to plan activities and schedule for all sessions of Camp DREAM.
- You and your team will execute all planned activities with campers.
- You will communicate with families of campers on a weekly basis.
- You will be responsible for providing a safe environment and experience for youth and staff/members.
- You and your team will provide youth with magical, memorable, enriching summer experience in an outdoor environment.
- You will execute all camp support responsibilities, as assigned (meal preparation, housekeeping, supply procurement, etc.)
- Eligible counselors will transport campers from their neighborhoods to Camp DREAM (and back) safely.
The Experience of Service as a Camp Counselor:
- Lots of fun!
- You will be engaged regularly with your co-servicemembers, your supervisor, and the youth.
- You will be living residentially at our Camp DREAM property with your co-servicemembers.
- You will build your skills in behavior management
- You will grow your adaptability, flexibility, and problem solving skills
- This position offers the opportunity to see new perspectives and connect with folks of many different backgrounds and lived experiences.
- This role involves high levels of teamwork, collaboration, and interpersonal communication.
- Throughout the summer, you will be planning and executing programs and activities by incorporating important learning objectives with your own passions and skills!
Required Qualifications:
- Commitment to the entire service 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.
- A passion for supporting ongoing work around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
- Experience working or living in a diverse and inclusive environment with elevated, demonstrated awareness of issues of social equity and social justice.
- Demonstrated practice or education serving diverse communities or populations of people of color in an equitable manner and a manner that is respectful and aware of the community's experience.
- 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.
- An internet connection capable of easily handling Google Workspace apps and specifically, a Google Hangout/Meet and Google Drive.
- Ability and willingness to live at the Camp DREAM property for the entirety of the service term.
- Access to a reliable phone.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous youth work experiences or motivations/preference for youth work and youth services.
- Previous experience as a camp counselor and/or outdoor education.
- Creativity, energy, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
- Current driver’s license, proof of insurance, and clean driving record.
- First aid and CPR certification by the time summer sessions begin. (If not currently certified, DREAM will offer opportunities for certification during our summer orientation.)
- If you have any particular skills or interests that could potentially translate into programming or contribute to this role, please include them in your application. This could include:
- ability to teach an activity or skills/expertise in:
- canoe/kayak/paddleboard
- woodwork
- swim
- field games - soccer, baseball/softball, kickball, ultimate, etc
- drama/singing
- musical instrument
- yoga/pilates/aerobics
- wilderness skills
- firebuilding
- navigation with map and compass
- ecology of the pond/forest
- cooking
- arts and crafts
- Any other relevant certifications
Details of being a DREAM AmeriCorps Member:
- Your service term commitment will begin on June 1, 2022 and end on August 12, 2022 with a minimum requirement of 450 hours served. This includes two office-closure holidays (Juneteenth and 4th of July observation) and 24 total hours (3 days) of personal time off.
- A living stipend of $3,500 will be provided to you in biweekly payments of $583.33.
- 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.
- Upon the completion of the service term, AmeriCorps members are eligible to receive the Segal Education Award, which can be used to pay education expenses or repay qualified student loans. For completing the 450 hours required for your term, you will receive $1,718.60.
- 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.
- If you engage in work-related travel outside of your commute, DREAM will provide reimbursement for mileage.
Requirements of AmeriCorps Commitment:
- Commitment to the entire service term.
- Must be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the U.S.A. due to AmeriCorps requirements.
- Be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service OR be an out-of-school youth 16 years of age at the commencement of service participating in a program
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent OR not have dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant (and must agree to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award) OR obtain a waiver from the Corporation OR be enrolled in an institution of higher education on an ability to benefit basis
- Members must agree to the following Criminal History Checks to be performed in order to serve as an AmeriCorps Member: NSOPW (Public Sex Offender) Check, Statewide Criminal Repository Checks (for State of Service and State of Residence), and FBI fingerprint-based Criminal History Check. The member is aware that that their identity must be verified with a government-issued photo ID. The results of these checks will be kept confidential, but could affect eligibility to serve in AmeriCorps.
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 may occasionally 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.
Travel: Travel may include local travel during the work hours described. Out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be occasionally expected.
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.