Summer Fellows

CitySprouts is seeking qualified and energetic college students to provide essential support to the CitySprouts summer youth program. We expect to accept four college students as CitySprouts Summer Fellows for nine weeks during the summer of 2013. Summer Fellows can expect to gain hands-on experience working with youth in garden-based learning in a public school setting, and gain practical skills in urban agriculture.

CitySprouts’ Summer Program provides young teens with an intensive month growing and harvesting food in an urban garden, expanding their first-hand experience preparing and eating healthy food and fostering a strong connection to their natural urban environment. The program is divided into two sessions serving a total of 100 youth (rising 6th to rising 9th graders).

CitySprouts Summer Fellows can expect a significant learning opportunity as well as opportunities for career exploration. In addition to working closely with CitySprouts staff to lead the two month-long sessions for youth, Fellows will also:

  • Receive a week of training in urban agriculture, techniques for teaching about food and the environment, and strategies for managing youth groups in an outdoor setting;
  • Take part in weekly trainings throughout the summer that will focus on further developing Fellows’ skills and provide an opportunity to reflect on experiences;
  • Document summer program activities for outreach, evaluation and reflection.

Because Fellows are central to our summer staffing and the success of our summer youth program, we ask that they commit to the full nine-week time period.

 

Location: Cambridge, MA

Dates: June 17 ‐ August 15, 2013

Hours: Weekdays, 8:00-4:00

Send resume and letter of interest by March 1st, 2013 to:

Kellyn Shoecraft, Acting Cambridge Program Director

kshoecraft@citysprouts.org

 Note: Write “Summer Fellow” in the email subject line. Please indicate in your letter if you are applying for credit or funding from your college.

Summer Fellow Responsibilities:

Youth Development and Education

  1. Assist the Garden Coordinator in teaching a team of summer middle school interns about growing food, garden care, healthy cooking, and the natural environment;
  2. Work with the Garden Coordinator to plan activities for interns related to food systems, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and community service;
  3. Mentor middle school youth and encourage their leadership skills;
  4. Chaperone youth on field trips to local farms, food pantries and restaurants;
  5. Design and lead a short series of lessons and activities.

 

Garden Skills

  1. As part of an afternoon garden maintenance crew, perform routine tasks such as watering, weeding, harvesting and re-planting;
  2. Complete special garden maintenance and construction projects.

 

Outreach/Communication

  1. Represent CitySprouts at outreach events and fundraisers as needed;
  2. Document summer intern program activities through write‐ups and photos;
  3. Additional office support tasks, as needed.

Expectations:

The CitySprouts Summer Fellowship is an opportunity for college students to gain first-hand experience working with youth in urban gardens, learning and teaching about local food systems and being in the heart of a growing nonprofit organization. Summer Fellows will be given significant responsibility toward making the summer program a successful experience for the 100 youth participants, as well as in representing CitySprouts to young people, families and the larger community. We expect Summer Fellows to:

  • Be curious, open and willing to try new things;
  • Express enthusiasm for the CitySprouts program in the garden, in the neighborhood and on field trips;
  • Approach the physical labor of garden maintenance with energy and a positive attitude;
  • Remember the impact Fellows have on their impressionable youth teams and foster a respectful attitude between youth, other Fellows and CitySprouts staff;
  • Maintain a professional attitude within the organization and outwardly to the community, including arriving to work on time, attending scheduled meetings and a timely response to communications.

Commuting in Cambridge, MA:

Summer Fellows should be willing and comfortable with biking in an urban environment.  Throughout the day, Fellows will be expected to travel between Cambridge school gardens, and a bicycle is the most efficient mode of transportation in this city.

Compensation:

The CitySprouts Summer Fellowship is an unpaid position.  Summer Fellows are strongly encouraged to secure funding through their college/university.