Seeds of Peace brings together youth from communities across divides each summer at our Camp.
During each Camp session, facilitators work intimately with a facilitation partner to plan and conduct 90-minute dialogue sessions (up to two per day, most days a week), creating a youth-led space for courageous conversations that help campers understand the diverse backgrounds, identities, and perspectives of their peers as they grapple with the root causes of conflict and injustice
Facilitators work together on a formal and informal basis for mutual support, ongoing professional development, and coordination of the dialogue sessions. Dialogue is NOT group therapy; dialogue sessions are interactive, experiential meetings in which youth learn to ask questions, make space for other voices,navigate group dynamics, build empathy and conflict resolution skills.
Facilitators also engage with counselors about what is happening in other areas of Camp in order to assure coordination among bunk life, athletic and arts activities, and the dialogue program, and lead certain aspects of Camp community life, such as Evening Activities and Early Bird Activities on rotation.
Main responsibilities
- Facilitate Dialogue activities and discussions with campers
- Work closely with co-facilitator to plan and lead sessions
- Maintain documentation of all session plans
- Debrief with facilitation team and other Camp staff
- Create a healthy and safe environment for challenging conversations
- Mediate conflicts between campers
- Engage in and support other Camp activities and operations as needed
- Facilitators live in shared rooms with one other staff person in cabins separate from Campers.
In addition to your role as a facilitator, you will
- Help keep our community healthy
- Support Camp logistics, Camp sanitation, and camper/staff maintenance of COVID-19 precautions
- Create spaces where youth are seen, heard, empowered, and kept safe
- Believe in the brilliance, power, and potential of our youth
- Maintain commitment to the Seeds of Peace mission in working towards a more just and inclusive world—especially at Camp!
Relevant skills/experience
- Experience working with youth
- Studies or experience in social work or group counseling
- Practice engaging in and leading conversations around identity and social conflict
- Studies or experience in social work or group facilitation
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work closely with a team
- Patience, flexibility and willingness to learn, creativity
- Ability to work with diverse campers and staff of different racial, economic, political, and gender identities