Employment Opportunities
VISITING STUDENTS PROGRAM: Internship Positions
Join our Farm and Educational Program staff on a unique 400-acre biodynamic dairy farm that combines care for the land and the creation of a welcoming place for children and young adults. The Visiting Students Program focuses on a respect for the earth and for each other. During the school year classes from Waldorf and other private schools 
stay on the farm for one week. Twenty different schools participate throughout the school year. Interns and staff host classes from 3rd through 10th grades and lead activities such as animal feeding, gardening, map and compass courses, botany walks, barn cleaning, bread baking, butter making, exploring and seasonal projects of apple cider pressing and maple syrup making. Interns share organic meals with the children and supervise house and Dining Hall cleaning tasks. Interns are introduced to biodynamic sustainable agriculture and the view of childhood from the Waldorf School prospective. Interns together with the staff are responsible for nurturing the physical, emotional, social and spiritual well being of each child during their stay at the farm. For a more detailed description of the position, see “A Day in the Life of an Intern”.
The internship program operates through the school year for the fall and spring semesters. The Fall Internship begins the last week of August until the 3rd week in November. There are three positions available. The interviewing process begins in January and continues until all positions are filled.
The Spring Internship work dates are from the second week of January until the first week in June. The interviewing process begins in September and continues until positions are filled. There are four positions available.
Compensation includes room and board (organic vegetarian meals) plus $400 per month stipend. Our program by using hands-on teaching methods creates a true learning experience for both the staff and the children. If you are at least 21 years of age, enjoy working with children, have a love of the outdoors, animals and farm life, come join us. Complete our application and return it to us with a copy of your resume and the names and phone numbers of three working references, preferably employers who have seen you working with children, and a cover letter describing your interest in this position. Once we have received your application, we will contact you for an interview. We look forward to hearing from you.
This Waldorf-based residential farm/environmental education program is located on a modern 400-acre full-scale diversified biodynamic dairy farm located in Upstate New York, in the Berkshire/Taconic range, 2 ½ hours north of New York City. The Hawthorne Valley Farm produces biodynamic milk, yogurt, cheese and quark. A ten-acre market garden supplies enough produce for two CSA’s (Community Supported Agriculture), green market sales in New York City and a retail health food store which is on the premises. The farm’s dairy herd is virtually self-sufficient, relying on its own feeds, manure and compost. Hawthorne Valley School, a kindergarten through 12th grade Waldorf school is located across the street from the Visiting Students Program. All of the branches listed above are part of the Hawthorne Valley Association. Please see our link section to view more information on each of our sister branches.
Dining Hall Manager
The Visiting Students Program is in the process of hiring a new Dining Hall Manager. Our program is year round and provides three meals a day and two snacks to children and staff members. Each week during the school year, classes (class size 18 to 40 students) will participate in our five day program. Thirty different classes visit us each year. Our summer camp program for children ages 8 to 15 (130 campers & staff over the entire season) operates from Mid-June until mid-August. Our menu is vegetarian using all organic/biodynamic ingredients, emphasizing the use of local produce and seasonal recipes. Meals are served family style and need to be prepared on a regular time schedule.Responsibilities include but are not limited to: managing all operations of the dining facility (75 seating capacity) under the guidance of the directors of the program; preparing vegetarian meals; hiring/supervising/training kitchen staff; purchasing food/paper products while adhering to a budget; preparing and performing cooking activities with children and other staff members; performing effective sanitation according to the regulations of the NY State Health Department; catering on site special events; creating seasonal child-friendly recipes; maintaining strong relationships with local growers and staff members; and attending staff meetings.
Requirements
This is a full time salaried position, therefore; on some occasions (usually during summer camp) the hours per week will be more than 40. Applicant should have a minimum of two years of experience in a high volume food service operation with some supervisory experience. Four years experience preferred. Applicant should have an interest and ability to work with children and have some working experience in this area. Excellent communications and people skills are required. Position will require working some weekends. Salary is based on experience and includes health benefits, and a three week paid vacation.
Contact
Please send cover letter, resume and the name and phone numbers of three working references to: Hawthorne Valley Farm, Main House, 327 Route 21C, Ghent, NY 12075 Attn: Helen Enright or call (518) 672-4790 or e-mail Helen@vspcamp.com
SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM
SUMMER CAMP POSITIONS
Summer at Hawthorne Valley Farm Camp helps children build a reverence for life and community awareness though living, playing and working together on an active farm. Learning arises out of the daily experience of life and work on the farm. Through these experiences, children stretch boundaries and realize new capacities within themselves. We invite you to become part of this community and help children grow and blossom from simple summer pleasures shared deeply with friends and staff.
Our Camp is separated into two camps, a House Camp for children ages 8 through 11 and the Field Camp for campers ages 12 to 15. The House Camp has a one-week session for ages 8 & 9; a two-week session for ages 9 & 10; and a three-week session for ages 10 & 11; and has an enrollment of 28 campers for each session. The House Campers live in the main farmhouse. The Field Camp has a 2 week session for ages 12-13 and a 4 week camp for teenagers ages 13-15. The Field Camp has shelters in the secluded woods on the farm and an enrollment of 15 campers per session. While the camp strives to complement the educational approach of Waldorf schools, campers are accepted from all backgrounds. Visit our summer camp page for more specific information about the camps.
House Camp Counselors work with small groups of 7 – 9 campers, building positive group interactions as the campers participate in nature and farm experiences. The days are formed to flow between individual activities and all-camp experiences such as morning and evening gatherings, swimming and the sharing of family style meals together. Our camp emphasizes organic and biodynamic vegetarian meals with fresh vegetables from our farm and surrounding farms, whole grains, our own bakery bread and diary products. Lifeguard certification is a plus.
The House Parent is responsible for making the camp run smoothly by keeping the children on schedule, helping the nurse, being an assistant to the Camp Director and taking care of the many needs of the children and counselors. Teachers are welcomed to apply.
Specialty Counselors lead activities with small groups of children such as cooperative games, archery, horseback riding, art and crafts. Experience or knowledge in these fields is helpful.
Counselor-In-Training is a training program for those who are 17 years old and interested in becoming a counselor. The CIT works with the room group counselors and staff. Applicants should have a strong interest in working with children, have an enthusiastic outgoing disposition and mature enough to be a positive influence on children.
The Field Camp is geared to the older child and teenager ages 12 to 15. The campers work for part of the day on the farm along side professional staff in the retail store, bakery, dairy plant and camp kitchen as well as in food growing, processing and preparation. In the afternoon there is plenty of time for traditional camp activities. The campers and counselors live in platform tents in a wooded area on the farm. See Field Camp Programs for more information about this camp.
Field Camp Director is responsible for organizing and running all the operations of the field camp. The Director with the permanent staff makes hiring decisions of counselors, scheduling of events and off-site outings for the camp. The Director is responsible for the social, emotional, physical and spiritual well being of 15 campers and 4 other counselors. Strong organizational, leadership, communication, camping, hiking and the ability to working with teenagers are all required skills for this position. Lifeguard certification is a plus.
Field Camp Counselors work under the leadership of the Field Camp Director. They are responsible for guiding the campers through the various departments of the farm and traditional camp activities such as swimming, art & crafts, hikes, off-site camping trips, attending cultural events, campfires, etc. The Counselors are responsible for helping the campers form a tight-knit community where every one learns to meet the challenges and reap the reward of living and working together. Previous experience working with teenagers, camping and communication skills are all required for this position. Lifeguard certification is a plus.
Assistant Cooks work with the Dining Hall Manager to prepare all vegetarian meals for at least 75 campers and staff. Experience in cooking for a large number of people using whole grains and vegetables is required. Since campers are periodically in the kitchen, the assistant cooks need to be a positive influence on children. There are three positions available.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR ALL SUMMER POSITIONS:
Applicants should have experience working with children, an interest in gardening, farming, camping. All applicants should posses an ability to work well with others, be enthusiastic and have a love for children, the outdoors and animals. See above descriptions of each job for the specific skills required. Camping, hiking, music, orienteering, life guarding experience, or storytelling skills are a plus.
WORK DATES: Counselor training begins the third week of June. Camp ends the second week of August. House parent and Field Camp Counselors begin the second week of June.
LOCATION: We are located in the Berkshire/Taconic foothills in upstate rural New York, 2 ½ hours north of New York City, along the Hudson River. See our map for exact location.
HOW TO APPLY: Complete the application and return it to us with a cover letter describing your interest in our program, your resume, and the names and phone numbers of three working references, preferably employers who have seen you working with children. Once received we will contact you for an interview. We begin reviewing resumes for our counselor positions in January.
COMPENSATION:House Camp counselors received $1500 per season plus room and Dining Hall meals (All vegetarian organic meals). Field Camp Counselors with extensive previous experience receive $1700 per season plus room and board. House Parent positions and Assistant Cooks positions have a salary range based on experience and number of hours worked starting at $1,800 for season, plus room & Board. CIT’s receive $750 for the camp season plus room and board. Lifeguard certification is a plus and will increase the above seasonal rates by $200.
Feel free to call us at (518) 672-4790 if you have any questions.
Send application to: Matt Davis, Program Director, Hawthorne Valley Farm, Main House, 327 Rt 21C, Ghent, NY, 12075 Fax: (518) 672-7608, e-mail Helen@vspcamp.com
