Common Ground is Seeking Common Ground Summer Camp Staff

Common Ground Summer Camp Staff

Common Ground Camp serves children ages 4 – 14. Our campus includes a farm, forest, and lots of opportunities for playing and learning in nature! Camp staff work together to plan activities that range from cooking and fort building to stream stomping and nature arts. We are looking for staff who have big hearts, love kids, and want to spend their summer active and outside. Staff do not need to have expertise in all program areas, but everyone must be ready to work outside, be active, be highly responsible, and have fun with children for all the hours they are at camp. 

Duties for all camp staff include: 

• Support our camp mission and culture through thoughtful participation in camp staff week and staff meetings with the goal of creating a safe, memorable, educational camp experience for our diverse camp community.
• Work almost entirely outside in nature, in all weather, with good energy and attitude! We have access to indoor spaces for thunderstorms or other outdoor emergencies.
• TEACHERS create and lead activities that are in line with the mission of the camp. Ideas and resources are provided, and staff have time to develop these activities in collaboration with their staff team during staff training week. ASSISTANT TEACHERS support these activities and typically do not have daily responsibility for planning and leading activities. 
• Supervise & interact with campers during instructional, recreation, and lunch times
• Supervise & direct Counselors and Junior Counselors (ages 14 – 18)
• Responsible for physical/emotional safety of all participants, including proactive behavior management and providing basic First Aid.
• Contribute to facility maintenance and care for program materials as needed at the end of each camp day.

TEACHERS manage the big picture of scheduling and activities for their group, interact daily with camp parents, lead lessons and activities, are the point person for medical and social/emotional needs for children in their group (in collaboration with camp directors and the camp nurse), and meet daily with their staff team to plan and problem solve. 

ASSISTANT TEACHERS play an essential role in making sure the needs of our campers are met each day! Assistant teachers serve as an additional helper in hands-on activities, provide one-on-one support to campers as needed, and help ensure an overall great day for their camp team. Assistant teachers do not typically have daily responsibility for planning or leading activities. 

COUNSELORS are enthusiastic helpers and supporters for all camp activities! Counselors must be 16 or older and are usually high school students or recent high school graduates.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience working with groups of children in formal or informal settings (school, nature center, summer camp, scouts, etc). Paid experience with small groups of children (as a nanny or babysitter, for example) will be considered, however experience with groups of 10 or more children is preferred. Counselors will be considered with more limited experience.
• Ability and desire to work and participate in community with diverse children and adults. Our staff team and the campers we serve are diverse in many ways, including gender and gender identity, race and culture, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, and ability and disability. All staff are expected to contribute to a safe, inclusive, and welcoming camp environment.
• Enthusiasm for exploring nature with children. Basic knowledge of the natural world is preferred, but not required.
• Experience (personal or professional) with one or more program activity areas is welcomed. Seeking staff with expertise in camp songs and games, leading music with children, gardening, farm care, hiking and outdoor adventure, naturalist skills, cooperative games, nature arts, cooking with children, and outdoor adventure!
• Willingness and ability to work outdoors in all weather (including summer heat & humidity and/or rain) and to be physically active for most of an 8 hour day. This is a physically intensive job that includes significant movement throughout the day, including walking, running, hiking, kneeling, bending, lifting, and carrying.
• Ability to be emotionally and socially “on” for the majority of an 8 hour day. A typical day includes 6 hours of direct time with campers, requiring emotional presence and energy to engage with children and coworkers.
• Demonstrated commitment, reliability, punctuality, and responsible behavior at previous jobs
• Fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and willing and able to follow all Covid safety policies.

All applicants who love nature and children and have relevant experience are welcome and encouraged – our camp staff represent a wide range of ages, backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Common Ground is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Conversations about accommodations that employees would need in order to successfully work at camp are welcome.

Job Schedule:

• Camp dates are June 27 – August 12, 2022 (including staff training week). Applicants who can commit to all camp dates receive strong hiring preference.
• Most staff work 8 AM – 4 PM, however we will have a few roles that work from 10 AM – 6 PM and some that work from 2:30 – 6 PM. Schedule preference can be indicated in the online application form.

Location: Common Ground, 358 Springside Ave, New Haven, CT 06515

Hourly pay rate: $15 – $18/hour for Teachers and Assistant Teachers, $14/hour for Counselors.  This is a temporary, seasonal position and is not eligible for employment benefits or for a guarantee of work past August 13, 2022. 

Common Ground is committed to a policy of equal opportunity/affirmative action for all qualified persons. Common Ground does not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability (including, but not limited to, intellectual disability, past or present history of mental disorder, physical disability or learning disability), genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by Connecticut state and/or federal nondiscrimination laws.  Common Ground does not unlawfully discriminate in employment and licensing against qualified persons with a prior criminal conviction.