Come Teach at the Urban Farms® Youth Camp in the Bronx!

Services for the UnderServed (S:US) is a non-profit organization that believes that every New Yorker deserves to know home in NYC. S:US works with communities and individuals in every corner of the city and on Long Island to make sure every New Yorker has the chance to find home. Because home is more than a roof. Home is stability, safety, community, and a sense of belonging. And the opportunity to find home is the right of every New Yorker.

The Urban Farms Youth Camp is an environmental educational program designed to teach children ages 5-12 about plants, nature, and ecology. Curriculum includes topics ranging from beneficial insects and pollinators, gardening and plant anatomy, and nature-related arts and crafts. This program will run for about 3 half days in July or August at an S:US shelter site in the late morning or early afternoon. It would run either 3 days in a row or spread over 3 weeks, based on volunteer interest. Volunteers will need to be available for at least 1 day before the program for training.

Volunteers will be equipped with the appropriate materials and lesson plan to lead summer camp lessons with additional support from program staff to help with student engagement and supervision. Volunteers will coordinate with the Urban Farms director and designated program staff at the assigned site to ensure the program is running smoothly and efficiently. Volunteers will be expected to set up camp, teach curriculum and activities, and clean up after camp.

Responsibilities

• Set up and clean-up program materials
• Lead up to 10 kids through educational and hands-on activities
• Coordinate with program staff and Urban Farms director to meet expectations
• Work with program staff to ensure kids remain attentive and engaged
• Maintain a fun, educational, and safe atmosphere for groups of campers
• Manage the daily schedule, ensuring enough time to explain and complete activities
• Make decisions in the moment during programming of how to best meet and engage groups of campers where they’re at energy and attention-wise

Minimum requirements

• Experience working with children or youth in educational or recreational, camp setting.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong communication skills and group management skills.
• Ability to follow the curriculum and make changes or adaptations as needed.
• Willingness to follow and comply with safety policies.