DREAM Program

About The DREAM Program

DREAM is a Vermont youth mentoring organization. We build communities of families and college students that empower children from affordable housing neighborhoods to recognize their options, make informed decisions, and achieve their dreams.

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Job Description
Summer Recreation Specialist Interns (D-Units) work with a passionate group of people providing awesome summer programming to children ages five to eighteen living in affordable housing communities across Vermont. Each intern is responsible for coordinating with the local D-Units to bring focused, themed programming to several DREAM communities within a region. In addition to developing and implementing childrens programming, each intern also works closely with families to build and support strong community relationships.

This internship is time-intensive and requires a serious level of personal commitment. Interns will be working five awesome days a week from June until August. As a D-Unit, you will be collaborating with others to construct a summer of adventure and exploration for incredible children across the state – and you’ll have a kick a** time doing it!

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES • Goal-Oriented Instruction: Develop a series of guided activities enabling children to reach a specific outcome based on your focus. (For example, your focus could be a passion for art, museums, outdoor recreation, or cooking…) Plan individual activities based on current knowledge of your subject area. Facilitate on-site and off-site activities for the children, enabling them to reach a specific goal. • Empowerment Through Ownership: Encourage children to feel ownership over their activities. When individuals feel complete control of a project, they invest themselves more wholly than if they were just participating. By distributing ownership of different projects, DREAM maximizes its available resources and ensures shared enthusiasm for the program. • Community Relations: Engage families by including them in program decision making and group activities. Interns will engage all children in the community interested in being involved and will encourage children to consider becoming school-year DREAMers. • Collaboration: Work closely with other D-Units to organize a ridiculously fun and engaging summer. Each D-Unit will be working intensively with other interns – sharing ideas, projects, and transportation. Each D-Unit will be responsible for holding up their end of the work in this team environment, both in terms of programming and in building trust and open communication within the team. The D-Units will also work alongside the DREAM staff Central Office projects. This may include helping administer and collect program evaluations and acting as a liaison between the housing communities and Camp DREAM.

NOTES: 4 openings.
Additional Salary Information: Americorps position - $2500 stipend and $1000 education award upon completion of required hours.

Requirements
DREAM is looking for someone who: • Believes in The DREAM Program’s mission to empower children to achieve their dreams. • Possesses a strong background in working with children. • Possesses a creative and entrepreneurial spirit. • Has an aptitude in their specific area of focus. • Communicates effectively to a wide variety of audiences including children, parents, local business people and other potential allies. • Works well in a close team environment – understands communal responsibility and is willing to support others’ ideas and projects. • Possesses a good sense of self to maintain personal and professional balance and is comfortable working independently with children. • Works flexibly in an environment of rapid change. • Has dependable transportation for the summer and is comfortable driving with and without children in the car for work. • Has the ability to work some weekends and/or overnights. • Projects enthusiasm, excitement, and energy and is ready to have a ridiculously good time!