Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture is dedicated to creating a more equitable and sustainable food system and culture in the Washington, DC area and a collaborative space for the many local efforts and initiatives around better food. Our mission is to improve the health of our community, the viability of local farmers, and preserve our environment for future generations by combining education about healthy food and its sources with better logistical connections between local farmers and the urban and suburban core of the region. 

Learn more at http://arcadiafood.org/ and http://arcadiafood.blogspot.com/

Arcadia Farm Camp Counselor 

Overview: We’re looking for Counselors for Arcadia’s summer Farm Camp. Counselors will be primarily responsible for an age-specific group of children during five one-week sessions at our working farm on the grounds of Woodlawn, a National Trust Historic Site, in Alexandria, VA. 

At Arcadia Farm Camp, we seek to connect children to where their food comes from through hands-on farming, cooking, and eating experiences. Campers will develop an understanding of the origins of food, seasonality, sustainable agriculture, land conservation, and culinary arts. Our goal is to help create the next generation of sustainable farmers, chefs, and eaters. 

You will be trained in the skills and knowledge necessary to be a great counselor. We hire for attitude!

Reports to: On-Farm Education Manager (Camp Director) and Farm Camp Manager. Counselors will also interact with other counselors and interns. 

Hours: Start date is June 10, 2024 and end date is July 30, 2024. Full time, seasonal for approximately 8 weeks. There are varying hours for Training, Farm Camp weeks, and Close-Out. Dates and hours are as follows: 

• Counselor Training: June 10 - June 14  from 9am-3pm. 
• Farm Camp weeks: June 17 - July 26 (Mon-Fri) from 8:00am-4:00pm. 
• 4th of July week: Off. Hours may be requested.  
• Close-Out week: July 29 -July 30 (Mon-Tue) from 9am-2pm. 

Compensation: $17 per hour 

Location: Arcadia Farm Camp will take place at Arcadia Farm at: 

9000 Richmond Hwy, 

Alexandria, VA 22309 

• 35-45 minutes from DC, 30 minutes from Arlington 
• Accessible by bus from Old Town, Alexandria, 30 minutes 
• Not metro accessible 
• We highly suggest getting to Arcadia Farm by car/private transportation 

Responsibilities: 

▪ Implement curriculum-based exploration of Arcadia Farm. 

▪ Lead an age-specific group of campers for week-long camp

▪ Lead farm chores and camp activities with campers. 

▪ Effectively supervise, manage, and educate campers during camp hours. 

▪ Help with set-up and clean-up of the camp area. 

▪ Share supervision of mealtime, recreation time and planned activity time. 

▪ Participate in mandatory training sessions and staff meetings before and after Farm Camp. 

▪ Communicate, in-person and via phone, with Farm Camp families throughout the week. 

▪ Participate in and support conduction of program evaluation. 

▪ Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications: 

▪ Experience working with children ages 6-11 is desired; 

▪ An enthusiasm for sustainable agriculture and the environment; 

▪ A passion for inspiring discovery and fun on the farm for children; 

▪ Ability and enthusiasm to spend the camp day outdoors, in both shade and full sun 

▪ A willingness to get dirty, work with animals, and work in the garden; 

▪ Excellent communication and organizational skills; 

▪ An ability to work independently and carry out farm-based lesson plans; 

▪ Dependable, mature, and an excellent role model to children; 

▪ Experience in environmental education, sustainable agriculture, and/or culinary arts preferred; 

▪ Proficiency in spoken Spanish is highly regarded; 
 

Required for hire: 

▪ Basic First Aid/CPR Certification (Adult/Children/Infant) or ability to obtain certification; 

▪ Must undergo a background check; 

▪ Must be at least 18 years old; and 

▪ Must be available June 10 - July 30, 2024. 

Arcadia is committed to diversity in the workplace. People of color, LGBTQ and multilingual people are encouraged to apply. 

Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture is dedicated to creating a more equitable and sustainable food system and culture in the Washington, DC area and a collaborative space for the many local efforts and initiatives around better food. Our mission is to improve the health of our community, the viability of local farmers, and preserve our environment for future generations by combining education about healthy food and its sources with better logistical connections between local farmers and the urban and suburban core of the region. 

Learn more at http://arcadiafood.org/ and http://arcadiafood.blogspot.com/