Camp Counselors

SUMMER 2021 APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN BELOW TO CANDIDATES LIVING IN THE US NORTHEAST OF THE US; APPLY TODAY.

Seeds of Peace develops courageous leaders who work in solidarity across lines of difference to create more just and inclusive societies and hosts a summer program at our Camp in Otisfield, Maine, as a part of the organization’s youth leadership development programming.

This summer, Seeds of Peace is planning to host youth from different racial, religious, gender, economic, and political identities from Syracuse and the greater Boston & New York City areas (first session) and from across the state of Maine (second session), following American Camp Association, CDC, and state of Maine COVID-19 guidelines.

As a counselor at Camp, you will work as a mentor and role model to supervise and engage with young people as they embark on a challenging dialogue and leadership development program. You will lead different activities (sports, waterfront, Group Challenge, gardening, arts, leadership development, etc.), live in a bunk with six to eight teenagers, and support youth throughout their time at Camp, including at meals and in the bunk.

Staff are role models in solidarity across lines of difference, and come together to support our youth as they continue to grow into leaders dedicated to justice and equity. Through shared activities (instructional swim, creative arts, sports), courageous conversations (dialogue with youth of different backgrounds and views), and leadership development, we work to create a better world together. We believe that our camp environment is strengthened by diversity of staff and of campers, and we welcome you to read the details below and apply to join us! Due to COVID-19 precautions, Camper and staff applications are open only to applicants living in the Northeast United States.Join us as a Counselor in 2021

Following this challenging year in the United States, it feels more important than ever to create space for young people to come together and to share their perspectives.

This summer will be unlike any other at Seeds of Peace as we navigate COVID-19 precautions and our changing world—and as we create a better world together. Our staff must not only be eager and ready to carry out their roles supporting youth at all hours, but also kind, caring, creative, and flexible people.

Our Camp program will intentionally serve youth of different racial, religious, economic, and political backgrounds from urban and rural areas in the Northeast United States. We are committed to creating an inclusive Camp community in which youth see themselves represented in staff with similarly diverse backgrounds, so that together, we can live out our mission.

If you are dedicated to supporting youth in building relationships across lines of difference and in creating an environment where youth are fully seen, heard, and equipped to make change—fill out the form below!

Seeds of Peace cannot hire anyone under the age of 20 due to the nature of our program and the age of our participants. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are hiring staff who live in the same communities as our Campers in 2021: staff living in the greater NYC area, greater Boston area, or Maine (driving distance from Camp).

Please review the job description below before filling out the form.

Applications remain open for a few counselor (activity specialist) and lifeguard positions. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we will reach out via email to schedule an interview with you if we are excited about the possibility of you joining us this summer!

Seeds of Peace is monitoring the pandemic and incorporating COVID-19 precautions such as mandatory testing, a cohort model, distancing, and masking into our Camp 2021 planning.

Camp 2021 Dates

Staff Training: June 27-July 11

Session I: July 11-28 for campers (students in the 9th and 10th grades) from the Greater Boston & New York City areas, and Syracuse.

(Session I coincides with Eid al Adha; Seeds of Peace will host an imam following all COVID-19 protocols for observance of the holiday.)

Session II: August 1-18 for campers (students in the 9th and 10th grades) from Maine.

Complete staff summer dates: June 27-August 18

Counselor Roles in 2021

As a counselor at Camp, you will work as a mentor and role model to supervise and engage with young people as they embark on a challenging dialogue and leadership development program. You will lead different activities (sports, arts, youth leadership, music, gardening, swimming, etc.) and support young people on their summer journeys.

All counselors sleep in bunks with campers, are expected to remain on-site for the duration of the summer programming, and should be ready to support in different types of activities at Camp.

You will:

• Create spaces where youth are seen, heard, empowered, and kept safe
• Believe in the brilliance, power, and potential of our youth
• Maintain commitment to the Seeds of Peace mission in working towards a more just and inclusive world—especially at Camp!
• Help keep our community healthy: Support Camp logistics, Camp sanitation, and camper/staff maintenance of COVID-19 precautions

Main responsibilities:

• Mentors and prioritizes the well-being of youth at all times, including in bunks, mealtimes, activities, and throughout Camp
• Plans and leads engaging programming for youth in activity specialist area, in bunk activities, and in other activities as needed (activity specialist areas include Sports, Arts, music, gardening, swimming, kayaking, canoeing)
• Ensures a safe and healthy environment for youth
• Responds to youth concerns and needs
• Helps mediate minor conflicts between youth
• Knows, enforces, and follows safety protocols and camp expectations
• Engages in and supports other camp activities and operations as needed
• Cultivates a safe and welcoming bunk environment

Relevant skills/experience:

• Experience working with youth
• Communication Skills
• Patience
• Flexibility
• Creativity
• Belief in the power of youth
• Adaptability and willingness to learn
• Ability to work with diverse campers and staff of different racial, economic, political, and gender identities

Compensation

Counselor (Activity Specialist): $2,800-$3,200 Counselor (Lifeguard): $3,400

All room and board expenses are covered by Seeds of Peace. Transportation to Camp is arranged or reimbursed by Seeds of Peace.

If financial concerns are a barrier to your ability to apply to this role, please let us know. Terms may be flexible.

We realize that members of historically marginalized communities may not have had the exact experiences listed in the job posting. We encourage you to apply even if you are not sure if your qualifications are the right fit, and share your story with us!

COVID-19 and Camp

Our policy as of Spring 2021 is that all staff will be required to remain on site for the duration of the summer, from June 27 through August 18, and must commit to adhering to all COVID-19 protocols, including mandatory testing, masking, distancing, and remaining onsite on the Camp grounds during time off. We will continue to update our COVID-19 protocols as the summer nears and depending on staff vaccination status. Let us know if you have any questions.

Camper and staff health is of our highest concern. We will share and update COVID-19 protocols according to the American Camping Association and Maine Department of Health and Human Services guidelines and based on the experiences of local camps that safely opened in 2020.

We are committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for both our participants and staff members alike, and are therefore implementing strict protocols to prevent and control the spread of the COVID-19 virus at Camp. As is the case with any other injury or illness, if a staff member contracts the virus due to performing their work at Camp, they will be entitled to apply for workers’ compensation benefits. In the event that Camp must be cancelled due to circumstances related to COVID-19, although not required by law, notice pay will be provided to staff in recognition of their commitment.