About The Trustees of Reservations

The Trustees is an organization with a fascinating past and an exciting future. Our places are open to all and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in what we do. Founded in 1891, by a group of visionary volunteers, we preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts and work to protect special places across the state. We have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 26,000+ acres on 117 reservations that are all open to the public. We are a nonprofit conservation organization funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and more than 60,000 member households.
 

About The FARM Institute Farm Camp:

The FARM Institute is, a 162­acre teaching farm on the island of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, providing year-round, farm-based educational programs. Programs focus on farming, sustainability, nutrition, and land stewardship.

The Farm Institute’s Farm Camp seeks to create a safe, accessible, fun, and enriching educational environment for all campers. By incorporating STEM standard-based lessons with farm chores, projects, and games, our campers make real-life connections to what they learn in school while strengthening their connection to the food we eat and the land that sustain us. To learn more about Farm Camp, visit us at http://www.thetrustees.org/things-to-do/summer-camps/farm-camp/ .

Position Summary:

The Wee Farmer Instructor is responsible for the implementation, and evaluation of farm­based educational programming during 9 weeks of summer programs. Development of programming is encouraged but we also provide pre-planned lessons to give farm-based educators a launching point. The Wee Farmers program is a four-mornings-per-week parent and child program for 2-4 year olds. The instructor is expected to model and impart The FARM Institute mission and values through example and engagement with their students, families, and farm visitors. Wee Farmer Instructors should be prepared to perform other farm work if necessary.

Duration of Employment and Required Hours:

Orientation for all educator positions including Wee Farmers is mandatory and will run for 10 days between Monday, June 10th and Friday, June 21st.  Wee Farmers runs 9 weeks in duration – beginning Monday June 24th, 2019 and ending August 23rd, 2019. The Wee Farmers program runs from 9:30am to 11:00am, Tuesday-Friday. The Wee Farmer Instructor is also responsible for the Before Care Program. This program runs from 8:30am to 9:00am, Monday-Friday. Work hours are from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Monday-Friday.

Additional hours are available for farm stand help, engagement and workshop programming assistance, as well as weekly farmer’s market half days on Saturdays.
 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Support the well­being of self, campers, and fellow staff

• Design and implement curriculum based on food, farming, and resource management with support from The FARM Institute’s staff

• Lead a group of parent and child participants, ages 2-4, for two day sessions, twice a week

• Lead the before care program Monday-Friday from 8:30am-9:00am

• Plan daily age appropriate activities

• Lead plant and animal farm chores with children

• Maintain reflection and planning worksheets

• Meet periodically with the Education Manager to evaluate experience and performance

• Communicate with parents regarding questions and farm awareness

• Perform daily facility chore and lead daily classroom cleanup

• Other responsibilities as designated by the Education Manager
 

Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in environmental or agricultural education, the sciences, education, or other relevant course of study is preferred, but not required

• Early childhood experience working as a camp counselor, classroom teacher, or informal educator with children under 5

• Experience with and enjoy working with children in an outdoor setting

• Knowledge of or interest in farm-based education, food, and sustainability

• Skills in gardening, cooking, livestock handling, environmental education, fiber arts or carpentry are preferred, but not required.

• A familiarity with The FARM Institute and The Trustees of Reservations helpful

Other Requirements:

• Must be available for camp staff training week and all 9 weeks of camp

• A satisfactory criminal background check (CORI and SORI).

• CPR and Basic First Aid certifications required by June 1st, 2019

• Able and willing to work outdoors in variable weather conditions.

• Camp Educators must be at least 18 years old