Current Job Openings
Hawthorne Valley Farm, a 900-acre Biodynamic farm in New York’s scenic Hudson Valley, is seeking creative, energetic, mindful individuals interested in bringing their personal talents and passions to our Summer Farm Camp. We’re hiring day and residential camp Counselors, camp Cooks, and a camp Nurse. All team members work collaboratively to support campers (ages 8-16) in creating a fun, inclusive environment while living and working on our beautiful farm. Read more about the positions and how to apply below.
Spring 2023 Educational Intern
Join the Place Based Learning Center at Hawthorne Valley Farm as an Educational Intern! Experience our diversified Biodynamic® dairy farm, while guiding children through hands-on, farm-based activities.
The Place Based Learning Center has been providing on-farm learning experiences for children and teens since 1972. Our biodynamic farm, school and related initiatives all sit on a beautiful 900-acre campus; our mission includes the integration of education, agriculture and the arts, and our work with students is informed by a deep reverence for our environment, an awareness of the interdependence of our community, and a knowledge of the pedagogy of Waldorf education.
We are located in Upstate New York in the beautiful Hudson Valley, 2 ½ hours from Manhattan. The Place Based Learning Center offers year round children’s programming. During the school year, our Visiting Students Program hosts weeklong residential educational farm experiences for school classes (grades 3-10). In the summer, we welcome campers ages 8-16 to our overnight and day camps.
We are seeking Educational Interns for the spring semester of the Visiting Students Program at the Place Based Learning Center. The Visiting Students program takes children beyond the classroom to experience the rhythms of nature and farm life.
The majority of our visitors are school classes (3rd grade and older) who arrive with their teachers and chaperones on a Monday and stay until Friday. The classes sleep in our sprawling 200+ year-old farmhouse, participate in lessons and activities related to the farm, food production, and nature-based crafts, and enjoy delicious and nutritious, organic farm-to-table meals. Interns are trained how to lead activities with the students, such as baking bread, farm chores, gardening, hiking, nature crafts, and more.
This internship is a meaningful way to gain knowledge and insight about Waldorf education, Biodynamic regenerative agriculture, and experiential education. Compensation includes room and board (organic mostly vegetarian meals) and a $1,000 per month stipend. Interns will live in the farmhouse or a nearby cottage within short walking distance from the farm for the semester. Please note that our housing cannot accommodate partners, children or pets.
Compensation also includes bi-weekly educational enrichment opportunities for Educational Interns, relating to art, agriculture, and education. Some examples include a natural dyeing workshop, a lecture on organic beekeeping, field trips to nearby farms and organizations.
Our housing cannot accommodate partners, children or pets of this candidate. If you are at least 21 years of age, enjoy working with children, have a love of the outdoors, animals and farm life, consider joining us!
The dates of the spring 2023 Internship are January 16, 2023 – June 3rd, 2023. This includes two weeks of training and orientation.
Responsibilities:
- Lead activities related to the farm, food production, and nature-based crafts on a daily basis with groups of children.
- Share meals with students and teachers in our Dining Hall while classes are visiting the farm.
- Provide a nurturing and responsive environment to students, teachers, guests, and other staff members.
- Share daily and weekend animal care and periodic weekend programming.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience working with children in an outdoor setting and leading hands-on activities.
- A good work ethic with an ability to be flexible, work as a team member.
- Strong communication and organizational skills.
- Ability to live on campus in shared living quarters.
- The ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.
- Practical knowledge of farming, animal care, gardening, and interest in Waldorf education is a plus.
- Enthusiastic attitude when working with children.
- Age of 21 or older.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete this Application for Employment and email a letter of interest, resume, and contact info of three references (preferably who have seen you working with children) to Jae Vyskocil at [email protected].
Interview process is starting NOW and will continue until all candidates are selected.
Summer Camp Registered Nurse
Hawthorne Valley Farm Summer Camp program has an opportunity for a nurse who enjoys working with children ages 8 to 16! Join us at our unique Farm Camps in the heart of the Hudson Valley in Ghent, NY! Come live, learn, and be a “summer mom/dad” to our campers while using your nursing skills. On your down time enjoy all the wonders of nature and animals on our 900-acre Biodynamic Farm! During our camps children experience a working farm and, through active participation, learn practical skills, develop social relationships, and gain a deeper sense of self and relationship to nature. A portion of our campers are from New York City and its boroughs and they have visited the farm before during our school year program and attend Waldorf or private schools. Medical needs in the past have been colds, sprains, homesickness, stomach flu, cramps, poison ivy, small cuts and bruises, etc.
Responsibilities:
- This position is responsible for the medical needs of 72 campers ages 8 to 16, and 20 staff per session of camp. This includes our day and residential camps.
- Ensures compliance with the Columbia County Department of Health camp health regulations.
- Dispensing medicines, performing first aid, daily sick calls
- Maintaining all medical records and documentation on campers and staff
- Screening of incoming campers for any health issues
- Liaison to camper parents
- Accompanying campers/staff to doctors when needed
- Provide a nurturing and responsive environment to campers, guests and other staff members.
- Help to ensure the smooth operations of the daily needs of the camp by being flexible and attentive to details.
- Support Camp Director, Camp Managers and counselors with upholding all camp medical protocols
- Support Campers with any behavioral, health, emotional or learning issues
Desired Qualifications:
- Registered Nurse with current license in New York State with current CPR/AED certification
- Experience working with children ages 8 to 16 is a plus
- Nurturing personality able to work with all age groups and needs including home sickness.
- A good work ethic with an ability to be flexible, work as a team member with all age groups.
- Strong time management, communication, organizational and record keeping skills.
- Strong assessment skills and some knowledge of homeopathic medicines is a plus
- Ability to live on campus in private room for the 8 week camp season.
- The ability to lift and carry 50 lbs
- Age of 21 or older (new nurse graduates are encouraged to apply)
There is a mandatory two week training for camp. The start date of the training is June 12. (This start date is a little flexible for the right candidate.) The dates of the camp are June 25 to August 4, 2023. The salary for the Summer Camp Nurse is $1300 per week for the 8 week season which includes a private room and all organic meals. Please note: Our available housing is modest and cannot accommodate partners, children or pets. If you have child, ages 8 to 12, please let us know to determine if there would be availability in one of our camp sessions. Your child would only be able to stay on campus during the duration of the session (1 to 2 weeks, depending on the age of the child).
To apply, please complete this Application Form, send a letter of interest, a current resume, and contact information for three work references (preferably employers who have seen you working with children) to Joe Harris, Summer Camp Director by email.