Job Description
Community and School Programs staff members will have the opportunity to work directly with youth and facilitate experiential education programs. Throughout the season, facilitators will interact with and lead diverse youth populations, including participants of varying age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic spectrums. Facilitators will have an immersive living experience by sharing a home and work place with their fellow interns.

Responsibilities and Duties

• ​Extensive training that will cover:
  • Experiential pedagogy and philosophy
  • Framework for Facilitation©
  • Tools for Team Leadership ©
  • High and low ropes course facilitation
  • Waterfront and boat management
  • Ecology and environmental education facilitation
• ​Leadership of groups of 10-12 school-age youth (10-18) through experiential curriculum
• Leading short hikes with ecological and environmental education components
• Facilitation of low and high ropes courses as well as problem-solving initiatives
• Facilitation of group dialogue and reflection in support of program outcomes
• Connection and play with participants
• Planning and coordinating programs
  • Communicate with school and/or group contacts
  • Create schedules, briefings for staff, and prep-lists
  • Ensure that program runs smoothly
  • Oversee all aspects of client experience
• ​Living and sharing in community with their intern class

Community & School Programs at Merrowvista | Philosophy of the Internship
The American Youth Foundation – Merrowvista is a non-profit organization with the aim to empower youth to build communities where they feel confident and connected; creating spaces where they will the see the best in themselves and each other; and pursue their collective potential. Through our experiential outdoor curriculum, young people are challenged to set and achieve goals that showcase their strengths and relationships. Tucked away in the beautiful Ossipee Mountains, Merrowvista creates dynamic experiences that engage youth in each season of the year.

Essential Functions & Requirements

• Be 21 years of age or older
• Be able to lift at least 20 pounds
• Be in good physical condition to be able to walk through rugged terrain
• Have mental and emotional capacity to exhibit good judgment, effective problem solving, and a calm presence in order to safely lead the children in their care under stressful conditions
• Ability to maintain focus for extended periods while working long hours (7 am – 10 pm)
• Ability to maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment for participants

Beneficial Experience

• First Aid and CPR certifications
• Lifeguard certification
• Wilderness medicine certification
• Ropes courses facilitation
• Experiential and/or environmental education
• Classroom teaching, afterschool programming, youth work, coaching, mentoring, childcare or summer camp experience
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record

Things to be gained/Advantages
Facilitators receive extensive training, continuous personal & professional development, and meaningful peer & mentor support. This experience allows for the formation of deep perspectives & philosophies regarding youth, society, and education. Facilitators have the chance to build priceless relationships with people who share strong values and ideals and are passionate about their work. Through countless opportunities for service and growth, the internship provides the experience and skills to help individuals develop skills that are applicable to a wide range of professions wherever their gifts are needed.

AYF Mission
The American Youth Foundation inspires people to discover and develop their personal best, to seek balance in physical, mental, social, and spiritual living and to make a positive difference in their communities and the wider world.

Our Commitment to Equity and Inclusion
The American Youth Foundation invites all people to be their own best selves, and we seek to create communities where no one should be excluded intentionally or otherwise because of who they are. We enthusiastically welcome staff and participants with diverse backgrounds, experiences and identities. AYF seeks to continually assess our practices through a broad lens of cultural competency and is committed to taking action and changing for the better of all.

We value each person’s right to fully experience our programs free from prejudice and harassment based on race, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or other aspects of their identity. We believe the diversity within our program communities enriches the learning for all, provided all feel safe to be their own best self.

All reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate participants with different conditions, strengths and abilities. Our goal is to include as many participants as possible; however, we are limited in what we can provide in terms of medical care. We partner with families in a thorough medical review process to determine if we can safely serve their child.

Dates

• Fall semester: August 17, 2020 – November 24, 2020
• Full-year: Fall Semester + Spring Semester – Mid-January – June 2021
• Employment opportunities for 2021 Summer & Fall

Benefits

• $350.00/week – paid on a biweekly basis
• Room and board – meals will be provided when there is program
  • Fully-furnished home with all necessary amenities