Subject: Youth Garden Summer Program Coordinator with University of Maryland
Extension

Description:
Youth Garden Summer Program Coordinator with University of Maryland Extension
(unpaid)

Description:  One volunteer is needed to aid the University of Maryland
Extension and Field of Greens Community Garden to lead youth garden
activities during the summer.  Field of Greens is a new community garden in
East Riverdale.  In addition to supporting the gardening efforts of 20 local
families, youth garden space promotes hands-on student learning.  We strive
to educate and connect youth with the earth, food production, healthy eating
and an active lifestyle.

Over the summer, a local NGO, SEED, will host a seven week summer camp down
the street from the garden and, with the help of the Youth Garden Summer
Program Coordinator, will be able to incorporate garden activities into the
camp.  Approximately 50 children ages 5-12 will be divided into four groups
based on age, and each group will visit the garden one time per week for an
hour-long activity.

Responsibilities:  The Youth Garden Summer Program Coordinator will create
daily curricula for the seven-week summer camp based on 4-H Youth Development
Experiential Learning activities and research-based educational materials
from UMD Extension. The Coordinator will lead groups of youth in those
activities, with the assistance of camp counselors.  The garden activities
will be tailored to the appropriate age groups, engaging the children’s
attention through hands-on learning.

The volunteer will work 10-12 hours per week (between 9 am and 12 pm, four
days a week), June 2 through August 8.  The first two weeks will be planning
and the last week will be evaluation.  There will be a possibility of
converting the position to a fall internship to continue development of the
garden’s programming.  The primary worksite will be Field of Greens
Community Garden, at 6200 Tuckerman Street in East Riverdale.  It is located
behind the Center for Educational Partnership, 5 miles east of campus and
accessible by the Shuttle UM – New Carrollton Route.

Qualifications:  An ideal candidate for this position would be enthusiastic,
reliable and an effective communicator.  Some experience in teaching and
vegetable gardening and an appreciation for working outside are required.
The volunteer must have their own laptop for research and lesson planning.

To Apply:  Send a resume and a cover letter in pdf format to Esther Gray at
[log in to unmask] by Friday, May 9.

For Additional Information:  Please contact Esther Gray, AmeriCorps VISTA
Community Garden Coordinator, University of Maryland Extension, at
[log in to unmask]


Event Location: Riverdale, MD
Contact Person: Esther Gray
Contact Email: [log in to unmask]