Fall 2023

Educational Internship Application

Thank you for your interest in the Fall 2023 Educational Internship at Hawthorne Valley. If you need assistance with the application or have any questions, please email Jae at jvyskocil@hawthornevalley.org.

Please note that at this time, we are unable to assist international applicants with acquiring U.S. work visas.

At Hawthorne Valley, we value and strive for social and cultural renewal in our work. We believe that cultivating an environment where everyone can be – and become – the truest expression of their humanity is essential for individual, organizational, and societal health. We know that a diverse community- where everyone feels safe and is valued as they are- is a strong community. Hawthorne Valley is committed to creating a diverse coworker body, and we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer.

We strongly encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds, cultures, genders, experiences, abilities, and perspectives to apply.

  • Fall 2023 Educational Intern

    Join the Place Based Learning Center at Hawthorne Valley Farm as an Educational Intern! Experience our diversified Biodynamic® farm, while guiding children through hands-on, farm-based activities.

    The Place Based Learning Center has been providing on-farm learning experiences for children and teens since 1972. Our Biodynamic farm, school, and related initiatives all sit on a beautiful 900-acre campus; our mission includes the integration of education, agriculture, and the arts, and our work with students is informed by a deep reverence for our environment, an awareness of the interdependence of our community, and a knowledge of the pedagogy of Waldorf education.

    We are located in Upstate New York in the beautiful Hudson Valley, 2 ½ hours from Manhattan. The Place Based Learning Center offers year-round children’s programming. During the school year, our Visiting Students Program hosts weeklong residential educational farm experiences for school classes (grades 3-10). In the summer, we welcome campers ages 8-16 to our overnight and day camps.

    We are seeking Farm Based Education Interns for the fall semester of the Visiting Students Program at the Place Based Learning Center. The Visiting Students program takes children beyond the classroom to experience nature and farm life rhythms.

    The majority of our visitors are school classes (3rd grade and older) who arrive with their teachers and chaperones on a Monday and stay until Friday. The classes sleep in our sprawling 200+-year-old farmhouse, participate in lessons and activities related to the farm, food production, and nature-based crafts, and enjoy delicious and nutritious, organic farm-to-table meals. Interns are trained how to lead activities with the students, such as baking bread, doing farm chores, gardening, hiking, nature crafts, and more.

    This internship is a meaningful way to gain knowledge and insight about Waldorf education, biodynamic regenerative agriculture, and experiential education. Compensation includes room and board (organic, mostly vegetarian meals) and a $1,100 per month stipend. Interns will live in the farmhouse in private or shared bedrooms with other interns. Please note that our housing cannot accommodate partners, children, or pets.

    Compensation also includes weekly educational enrichment opportunities for interns, relating to art, agriculture, and education. Some examples include a natural dyeing workshop, ceramics lessons, lectures on organic farming, and field trips to nearby farms and organizations.

    If you are at least 21 years of age, enjoy working with children, and have a love of the outdoors, animals, and farm life, consider joining us!

    The dates of the fall 2023 Internship are August 28, 2023 – November 18, 2023. This includes two weeks of training and orientation.

    Responsibilities:

    • Lead activities related to the farm, food production, and nature-based crafts on a daily basis with groups of children.

    • Share meals with students and teachers in our Dining Hall while classes are visiting the farm.

    • Provide students, teachers, guests, and other staff members with a nurturing and responsive environment.

    • Share daily and weekend animal care and periodic weekend programming.

    Desired Qualifications:

    • Experience working with children in an outdoor setting and leading hands-on activities.

    • A good work ethic with an ability to be flexible, work as a team member.

    • Strong communication and organizational skills.

    • Ability to live on campus in shared living quarters.

    • The ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.

    • Practical knowledge of farming, animal care, gardening, and interest in Waldorf education is a plus.

    • Enthusiastic attitude when working with children.

    • Age of 21 or older.

    If you are interested in this opportunity, please complete the Application for Employment form on this page, and email a letter of interest, resume, and contact info of three references (preferably those who have seen you working with children) to Jae Vyskocil at jvyskocil@hawthornevalley.org.

    The interview process is starting now and will continue until all candidates are selected.