What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Summer Education Apprentice / Lead Camp Counselor position at Phillies Bridge Farm Project?
2025 Summer Lead Education Apprentices/Camp Counselors
Summer education apprentices receive hands-on educational and agricultural experience on our vibrant community farm. The farm has a tri-fold mission of providing fresh veggies to the community through a CSA, providing education for people of all ages, and food justice.
Apprentices work with children ages 5-12 at our farm-based summer camp, where they lead small groups in fun and creative activities developed to demonstrate and celebrate the cycles of nature that produce our food. Additional duties include maintaining educational vegetable gardens, caring for the farm animals, leading farm tours for visiting children and families, and assisting at other public events and fundraisers. Education program activities include: leading activities, planting, harvesting, cooking, composting, arts and crafts, farm history, caring for the farm animals, nature trail hikes, cooperative games, music and storytelling. Apprentices are also responsible for assisting with the set-up and clean-up of all programs. While there is an established education curriculum in place, there are opportunities to develop new activities and participate in curriculum planning based on individual interests and skills.
The Lead Education Apprentice will additionally support the Camp Director with administrative work, lead other counselors through example, and interact with parents in a friendly and professional manner.
Position Requirements: Summer Education Apprentices must be prepared to work long active days outdoors with children. The average schedule is 8:30 AM-4:00 PM Monday–Friday, with rotating after care responsibilities (1 day per week until 5:00 pm) although hours vary depending on the season. Apprentices are part of a rotating animal and plant caretaking schedule, which may occasionally require staying past 4:00 PM. The position dates run for 9 weeks in the summer from June 23rd through August 22nd, which includes a training/orientation week before the start of the summer camp.
Desired Qualifications:
- Creative, hard-working, responsible, self-motivated, and conscientious
- Passion for nature and sustainable agriculture
- Experience working with children
- Comfortable cooking and eating a wide range of farm fresh vegetables
- Musical and artistic skills a big plus
- Positive attitude and cooperative work ethics
- Willingness to work outdoors in all weather (hot, cold, humid, rainy)
- CPR and First Aid certified - if not certified, Phillies Bridge Farm Project can pay for your certification
- Reliable transportation to the farm required
Compensation: Summer Education Apprentices receive $17.50/hour plus access to vegetables from the field as approved by the Education Director and Farm Manager.
We hire:
- One Summer Lead Education Apprentices (June 23 – August 22, 2025)
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2025
Additional Educational Benefits: Phillies Bridge Farm Project participates in the Mid-Hudson Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) program, through which apprentices have the opportunity to attend weekly meetings at various local farms. Each meeting includes a farm tour and a lesson around a specific topic (i.e. irrigation, season extension, compost, no-till farming). We are now accepting applications!
Phillies Bridge is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and encourage BIPOC and LGBT individuals to apply.
To apply, please send your resume, including three professional references and a cover letter to Ella Schwarzbaum, Education Director, at education@philliesbridge.org and write “Education Apprentice Application” in the subject line. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary
Pay: $17.50 per hour
Expected hours: 30 – 40 per week
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Ability to Commute:
- New Paltz, NY 12561 (Required)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $18