Dates: ASAP — August 17th, 2023

Compensation: $15/hour; 38 hours/week, M-F

Description:

The Youth Garden Project (YGP) is a non-profit organization located in the beautiful red rock country of Moab, UT. Our mission is to “cultivate healthy children, families, and community through educational programs and connecting people with food from seed to table.” The garden is located on 1.5 acres adjacent to the high school and Mill creek, includes two outdoor classroom spaces, a chicken cook, a historic building which serves as our office, a commercial kitchen, a rabbit enclosure, two greenhouses, over 80 garden beds, and a fruit tree orchard.

We are looking for individuals interested in working as instructors in a hands-on, outdoor setting to implement our nine-week Summer Camp program. YGP Summer Camp provides much needed hands-on, high-quality child care for 1st – 6th graders during the summer break. Spend your summer in a garden in Moab getting to know some of the youngest members of our wonderful community!

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Four instructors will work as a cohesive team to run our nine-week Summer Camp program.
• Instructors will receive an in-depth training prior to leading camp on working with kids of different age groups in an outdoor setting.
• All instructors will plan, organize, and lead Summer Camp with guidance and support from the Youth Programs Director. Daily Summer Camp responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Ensure overall smoothness of the Summer Camp day including safety of campers
  • Prepare materials for activities and snacks
  • Manage groups of children while building relationships/rapport with them
  • Lead two-three activities per day with co-instructors and facilitate free play
  • Encourage campers to learn, have fun, and connect with the garden
  • Communicate with parents/guardians
  • Assist with creating experiential, fun, and educational activities related to each Summer Camp theme
  • Provide positive and constructive feedback to co-workers
  • Participate in debriefs to provide reflection on day-to-day activities
• Utilize Positive Youth Development and restorative principles when engaging with students

Other Expectations:

• Instructors must be at least 18 at the start of the season. Background check required.
• Instructors will work 38 hours per week on average during the summer (M-Th 8:30-4:30, F 8:30-5:00). The majority of the work day is spent working directly with elementary-aged kids.
• Instructors should expect to be outside the majority of the day, in all-weather types.
• Instructors must be certified in CPR and First Aid; certification opportunity will be provided if applicant is not already certified.
• Instructors should be a positive and enthusiastic team member throughout the duration of the summer.

Educational Opportunities:

• Gain experience teaching elementary-aged students • Build your teaching skill set by leading hands-on lessons • Learn how to use a garden as a teaching tool • Build relationships with summer campers, families, & community members • Write and implement creative lessons & activities • Have opportunities to connect children with gardens, food, & community • Learn about the nonprofit sector, especially about YPG as a nonprofit farm and educational space • And more!

Desired Skills:

• Responsible and reliable, with strengths in time management, prioritizing and delegating tasks
• Works well independently and in a team setting with an ability to communicate positively and effectively with staff and community members
• Demonstrates a strong work ethic and enthusiasm for the YGP mission
• Experience working directly with youth, an interest in experiential education, and a desire to work with children
• Problem solver who is flexible and able to improvise

Compensation & Other Benefits:

• $15/hour, 38 hours/week M-F
• Up to $100 reimbursed for relocation expenses (receipts required)
• Summer instructors are allotted 1 day of paid vacation and 2 sick days.
• The instructors will have access to farm fresh produce as part of our staff CSA share and through produce discounts.
• YGP has connections in town to help you find affordable housing during your summer contract.