Camp DREAM Meals and Garden Coordinator

The Camp DREAM Meals + Garden Coordinator is a member of DREAM's SummerCorps. Our SummerCorps strives to combat the “summer developmental slide” (which accounts for over half of the achievement gap for children of families with low-income) while our mentors are away on summer break from their respective colleges/universities. 

Youth who are growing up in underserved communities are often facing food insecurity at home. This insecurity can look like not having enough food on a regular basis, or not having access to a variety of nutritious foods. This position will be creating nutritious meals that appeal to youth’s innate sense of curiosity in a way that reduces pressure and doesn’t assign morality (“good” or “bad”) to foods. It will also be important to create culturally relevant meals that cater to our diverse population of youth’s specific diets. Researching and preparing meals with origins from many places in the world will support broadening the horizons of the young people we serve while also affirming the value of all cultures.

Objectives for the Coordinator: 

Key Results of Service: 

The DREAM Program is committed to dismantling systems of oppression that affect our youth and families. This organizational commitment means that members should join this space with an intention of learning, unlearning, and diving into ways that your involvement will directly contribute to DREAM’s mission of reducing the Opportunity Gap while also supporting the dismantling of other systemic inequities. We seek members who contribute to The DREAM Program’s diverse community, as having different perspectives, identities, and skills are what allow us to excel in our service. DREAM seeks members who are ready to engage in and foster an inclusive environment, and who strive to deliver culturally appropriate and relevant programming to the youth we serve. Incoming members and staff should understand that we serve marginalized communities, which means that it is imperative that diversity, equity, and inclusivity are infused into every aspect of our work as an organization. 

Organization and Site/Location:  Camp DREAM, Fletcher, VT

AmeriCorps Program Type: State/National

Classification/Position Type: AmeriCorps Member

Term Type/Length: Quarter Time, minimum of 450 hours

Hours: 35-40 hours/week

Start date: Wednesday June 2, 2021

End date: Friday, August 13th, 2021

Position type/expected hours of work: The position will provide service to campers while camp is in session, which includes attention to youth and their needs during the day and evening hours with varying time off during each day. Outside of sessions, planning and preparation time happens during daytime service hours.  The position provides service for 11 consecutive weeks (June 2 - August 13th, 2021). This is an AmeriCorps position with a term length designated Quarter Time with a minimum hours requirement of 450 hours. For successful completion of the service term, DREAM expects service through the end-of-term date indicated on the member agreement. DREAM expects members to continue serving 35-45 hours a week until the end-of-term date of their service commitment, which may mean exceeding the minimum 450-hour AmeriCorps requirement. However, we encourage a healthy work/life balance and will regularly check in to be sure that you have ample time for rest and recharge throughout your service term. 

More about Camp DREAM:  Camp DREAM is a 50+ acre property on Metcalf Pond in Fletcher, VT and a year-round resource to the mentees and mentors of The DREAM Program. Camp DREAM is primarily home to our residential summer camp program. Historically, Camp DREAM has also hosted Winter Adventure Camp (WAC), and a host of off-season activities for mentees, mentors and staff.

Camp DREAM is usually considered primitive camping or a rustic/rugged environment, providing campers and counselors more of a true camping experience. The program thrives on the energy that children, counselors, staff, and volunteers all add to the flavorful stew-pot that is Camp DREAM.

COVID-19 Contingency: It is likely that COVID-19 will still pose a threat at the time that this position begins. Although the mechanics of how the role operates may look different, we will still offer daily activities to the youth. For COVID safety, it is asked that you live at our onsite accommodations at Camp DREAM, if you feel comfortable doing so. We will provide safety measures to keep you and our families safe as we navigate the challenges associated with COVID while still engaging our youth and combating the opportunity gap. 

Supervisory Responsibility: This position supports a network of volunteers and youth, but has no direct supervisory responsibilities. 

Work environment/physical demands: This position primarily operates in the Camp DREAM kitchen space, where you will be expected to operate cooking equipment (including but not limited to an oven, gas stove, outdoor grill, refrigerators, utensils for cooking, sinks) on a daily basis. You also will be in an outdoor environment with occasionally some other service members, and potentially youth, for extended periods of time. When outdoors, there will be all types of weather and environmental factors (heat, cold, wet, etc.). This role may operate occasionally in a professional office environment and may use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee/member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

You will be living at our rustic camp DREAM as a Food and Gardens Coordinator. This position is very active and frequently requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing in various different terrains, some rugged and some well-groomed. Sleeping conditions for those living at camp would be considered “cabin camping,” and on-site there are available showers and restrooms. This position requires comfort working in outdoor environments, regardless of the weather. a It also requires active engagement with counselors and potentially youth ages 5-18. While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to communicate with individuals who talk and hear. The employee/member must occasionally lift and/or move items over 50 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee/member is regularly required to observe and comprehend using vision abilities that include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 

Travel: Not applicable, if any, some minimal out of Camp travel may be required to acquire groceries and supplies. 

AAP/EEO Statement:  The DREAM Program is an equal opportunity employer and an incorporated 501(c)3 charitable organization. The DREAM Program prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

At will employment:  The DREAM Program is an at will employer. Employment with The DREAM Program is voluntary and is subject to termination by you or The DREAM Program at will, with or without cause, and with or without notice, at any time. The policy of employment-at-will may not be modified by any officer or employee.

WHY WE DREAM...

We seek a world in which all children have the opportunities, resources, and relationships necessary to achieve their dreams.

Our mission is to close the opportunity gap for children living in low-income housing.