Founded in 2000, Calypso Farm and Ecology Center’s mission is to promote local agriculture and environmental awareness through hands-on education in natural and farming ecosystems. We do this through a variety of educational programs – for young and old – both on the farm and in the community. In all of our programs, we strive to increase access to and awareness of the benefits of purchasing and eating local foods.

Farm Camp & Guide Program Coordinator

Open until Filled

Hours: part and full-time (20—40 hrs/week) – varies through the season

Dates: April 1 – October 1, 2019

 

Compensation:

$15/hour

Farm lunches May – September (Monday thru Fridays) when on site at the Farm

CSA vegetable share through the growing season (early June through late September)

 

Position Overview

The Farm Camp & Guide Program Coordinator is an education focused position at Calypso Farm. There are three primary responsibilities: 1) Leading Farm and School Garden Camp Sessions— Calypso offers several summer camp sessions for youth at the Farm and in school gardens around Fairbanks 2) Leading Calypso’s Farm Guide Program – a multi-generational volunteer program which trains individuals, families and seniors in leading groups of children on farm-based field trips and 3) Assisting with Farm-Based Field Trips – this position works closely with Calypso’s Field Trip Coordinator to offer farm field trips for youth from late April through September.

 

What is Farm Camp?

Farm Camps are week long day camps held at Calypso Farm. There are sessions for children 5-7 years old and sessions for children 8-12 years old. Teens aged 13-17 assist with the camps as Junior Counselors. Farm Camps offer children a farm immersion experience, exposing them to all aspects of farm life and boreal forest ecology.

 

What is the LEAF Camp?

The LEAF program—Learning Ecology and Alaskan Farming is a day camp with sessions held at three different school garden locations. LEAF Camp is designed to give students ages 5-12 a chance to experience Alaskan gardens first hand. In addition to learning how to grow vegetables, they learn how to prepare fresh produce in the garden.

 

What is the Farm Guide Program?

The Farm Guide Program is an inter-generational volunteer program at Calypso where participants learn all about the farm and then assist in guiding groups of children around the farm during field trips. Anyone is welcome to participate in the program and we strongly encourage parents with their children and seniors to get involved.

 

Roles and Responsibilities

Develop age appropriate program plans and lessons for Farm Camps and LEAF Camps with the assistance of Calypso’s Field Trip Coordinator

Train and supervise Farm and LEAF Camp Counselors and Junior Counselors

Communicate with all parents or guardians of campers

Post about camps a minimum of twice weekly on Calypso’s social media outlets

Outreach to the community about Calypso’s Farm Guide Program

Organize and implement Farm Guide Training Days

Work with the Farm Guides to insure the program is functioning well

Assist as with Farm Field Trips—including scheduling and running field trips

Review and implement all Safety Policies for Camps and Farm Guides

Carry out evaluation activities for all camp and farm guide activities

Write up end of season evaluation for all camps and farm guide activities

 

Qualifications

Outdoor and/or environmental educational experience

Experience in developing and writing outdoor education and/or school garden-based lessons

Supervisory experience

Volunteer coordination experience, preferred

High-energy, enthusiastic, positive, “can-do” attitude

Highly independent and self-motivated

Excellent interpersonal communication skills

Belief in Calypso’s mission (see at the top of first page)

Flexible and friendly

Reliable vehicle

Great documentation skills

Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail

Punctual

Pass a Background Check

Gardening or Farming Experience is a bonus (not required)

First Aid & CPR certified (training provided)

 

To Aply:

Please send a copy of your resume, 3 work related references and answers to the following questions to Christie Shell, Calypso’s Assistant Director calypsochristie@gmail.com. We will then contact you about interviews!

1. Describe why you are interested in being the Calypso Farm Camp and Guide Program Coordinator:

2. Describe any outdoor/environmental education experience that you have:

3. Describe any supervisory experience that you have or experience that will aid you in this position,

4. Describe any volunteer coordination experience you have that will aid you in this position.

5. Describe any farm or garden experience that you have (preferred but not required):

6. Give a brief overview of a garden-based lesson appropriate for 7-10 year olds:

7. If you were a vegetable, what would you be and why?

8. How did you hear about the position?