Conflict Resolution & Peace Studies

Seeds of Peace brings together young leaders from regions of conflict each summer at our Camp in Maine. As a counselor at this Camp, you will supervise sports, waterfront, or arts activities, live in a bunk with eight to 10 teenagers, and preside over lively meal tables.

However, these duties are only secondary to your most important responsibility at Camp: to become a friend, parent, sibling, teacher, and role model to the most intelligent, energetic and passionate teenagers you will ever meet. As the campers balance the excitement of camp with the challenges of addressing their regional and community conflicts, they look to their counselors for support, mentorship, and encouragement.

The uniqueness of Seeds of Peace requires counselors to create a safe and comforting environment while encouraging and challenging the campers to address their personal and political beliefs and issues with their conflicts. Serving as a counselor at Seeds of Peace demands far more commitment, energy, and emotion than any other camp, but it is these demands that produce rewarding relationships and positive transformations.

Seeds of Peace hires 40-45 counselors each summer, about half of whom are returning staff from previous years. We assemble a unique and talented group of individuals. Counselors must be team players as working together with the other staff is essential for the success of the program. On a daily basis, counselors will supervise life in the bunk, instruct an activity, eat all meals with an assigned table and engage in the other daily programs. Through these activities, the counselors help to create an unparalleled experience.

Each summer, Seeds of Peace runs a week-long staff orientation followed by two three-week sessions. This summer, Seeds of Peace will have one domestic session with youth from Maine and Syracuse. This program focuses on building bridges and developing strong relationships between immigrant and refugee students and American-born students in order to decrease bullying and prejudice and promote religious and intercultural understanding in their schools and communities.

Second session will be an international session, hosting youth from the Middle East, South Asia, and United States. Campers will have the opportunity to explore competing historical narratives and share their personal experiences of their conflict, confronting their prejudices as they tackle the issues that fuel violence, hatred and oppression at home.

While each program has its own particular dynamic and set of issues, your job as a counselor does not change, and we expect all new staff to work both sessions, with a week-long break in between. Additionally, staff is given time off during each session.

Dates for 2015 Summer Camp positions

Staff Orientation: June 22–June 28
Session One: June 29–July 15
Intersession: July 15–July 18
Staff Orientation: July 19–July 20
Session Two: July 21–August 13

Counselors receive a nominal salary, and all room and board expenses are covered by Seeds of Peace. Applicants are welcome from all over the world, however a valid work visa will be required. Please note that the hiring process at Seeds of Peace is an extremely competitive one, as we receive hundreds of applications each year and maintain at least a 50 percent returning staff rate.

See more at: http://www.seedsofpeace.org/counselors#sthash.nQeQ1Why.dpuf

Please note that the deadline to apply is Sunday, January 18, 2015.