We are excited about building on our amazing community and program for 2017. There are a few things about the structure of Kids Camp that we are going to experiment with changing this year, plus we are in a space we have never been in, so please read this and future communications carefully.
First, in keeping with the participatory egalitarian values of the Havurah community, we are going to begin strongly encouraging EVERYONE in the Kids Camp community, including children and assistants to lead or teach something (a song, story, game, project, dance, magic trick, etc.) at camp.
Second, while there has always been an informal distinction between morning and afternoon–morning being more structured and activity focused and afternoon being less structured and centered around napping and swimming–this year we are going to develop this further, while continuing to center opportunities for deep Jewish learning through the arts and social justice, as well as time for play and group bonding.
Morning teachers for school-aged campers will each be asked to offer two or three 30-45 minute multi-age “electives” during the week. These should give campers an opportunity to engage deeply in something, be it nature, text study, social justice, Jewish ethics, dance, or anything else you might dream up. Morning teachers will also be “point-people” for a particular age-band group. Campers will have the opportunity, in the mornings, to choose activities, to engage in deep learning, and to connect with campers from a wider age range.
Afternoon teachers will focus primarily on creating opportunities for camper-directed play and learning in the age-band groups that have been typical in the past. This could mean going to the pool or the playground, bringing a collection of cardboard boxes, tape and scissors for kids to create with, going on an adventure that kids take turns leading, or anything else you might dream up. Afternoon teachers will also be expected to create space for campers to plan and lead activities for the group and to support their campers in that process. Campers will have the opportunity to bond with their peers, experience themselves as teachers and leaders, and have time for free play.
In the hiring process, we will do our best to find the best fit for each staff member given these changes and everything that is staying the same, and we thank you in advance for your willingness to engage in this experiment with us! If we find that we need additional information from you, we will be in touch by email.
Finally, as we will be at a new site this year, we would like to encourage Kids Camp staff to arrive on site on Sunday if you are able. This will help us to ensure that even with the site change, everyone will be present and prepared for Staff Orientation on Monday!
Here is the link to the staff application!
Roles
Teacher: Teachers are responsible for leading a group of campers with a work-study assistant. Morning teachers, with support from the Kids Camp Director, will be responsible for developing and leading two or three fun and engaging “elective” activities for a multi-age group. Afternoon teachers, with support from the Kids Camp Director, will be responsible for creating contexts for safe and fun camper-directed play and learning. Teachers are expected to prepare for Kids Camp prior to Institute. At Institute, teachers work a daily 3 and a half hour shift (Tuesday-Friday), attend staff meetings, check in with shift counterparts, attend Monday staff and family orientations, and help to set-up and clean-up their camp rooms. Teachers are compensated with a full stipend to Institute.
Assistant: Assistants support a teacher in leading a group of campers. Assistants work with a lead teacher to create fun, engaging, age-appropriate programming for their group while at Institute. There is no required prep-work for assistants prior to arrival at Institute, but assistants will be expected to bring something to the group (ex. teaching a magic trick, song, or game). At Institute, assistants work a daily 3 and a half hour shift (Tuesday-Friday), attend Monday staff orientation, and help to set-up and clean-up Kids Camp. This is a work-study position, and as such, assistants are compensated with a half stipend to Institute. If you are applying to be an assistant and need financial support beyond the half stipend, there is generous financial support available through the grants process. If you have questions please email grants@main.havurah.org.
Specialist: Specialists provide a particular type of programming to all age groups at Kids Camp. This might look like providing a specific program, like music class class, to each group or as a multi-age elective. It could also look like being present in an art room with materials and support for campers who want to create some art. We are specifically looking for a music specialist and an art specialist, but are open to the various specialties you may have–including music, art, movement, theme-related course, or whatever else you might propose. At Institute, all specialists are at Kids Camp a daily (Tuesday-Friday) 3 and a half hour shift (but may not be responsible for children at all times), attend Monday staff orientation, and help to set-up and clean-up camp rooms. The music specialist also helps with opening circle each morning. Specialists also support Kids Camp by being a floating staff member when needed during their shift. This is a work-study position, and as such, specialists are compensated with a half stipend to Institute. If you are applying to be a specialist and need financial support beyond the half stipend, there is generous financial support available through the grants process. If you have questions please email grants@main.havurah.org.