GENERAL
INFORMATION ABOUT WORKING AT THE GLOBAL YOUTH VILLAGE
PROGRAM
DATES
Staff
Training: June 24 - July 5
Session 1: July 6 - 26
Session 1 Staff Wrap-up: July 27 - 29
Session 2 Preparation: July 29 - August 1
Session 2: August 2 -10
International Youths in DC: August 10 - 16
Staff Wrap-up: August 10 -12
Staff Depart: August 12
DC Staff Depart: August 16
Staff
are hired for either five or seven weeks. Arrival dates vary, depending
on the position. End dates vary, depending on whether the person is
hired to work either one or two sessions:
* Administrative, Workshop & Food Service Managers: June
24 - July 29 or August 12 *
* Internationals (traveling directly to GYV from overseas): June
25 - July 29 or August 12
* All other staff: June 26 - July 29 or August 12 *
*
Select staff are hired to work until August 16th if chosen to be part
of the DC Trip Staff
THE
LEGACY HONOR CODE
As
a close-knit team, we work to strengthen the Global Youth Village community
and to realize the uniqueness of each individual. Our guidelines are
few, but they are necessary to reach our goals. The Honor Code was written
jointly by past participants and staff, and provides the guidelines
by which we can create a model cooperative community and broaden the
experience of every member of our "global village." Each participant
and staff is expected to:
* Be open to new ideas and willing to listen
* Respect other people's point of view, cultural difference and music
* Participate fully in all activities
* Resolve conflict through communication
* Engage in non-exclusive, open relationships which avoid cliques and
pairs
* Accept a diet free of meat and sugar
* Abstain from tobacco, alcohol & illegal drugs
Please
do not apply if you feel you cannot abide by this code. More details
about staff policies will be provided to those selected for interviews.
BENEFITS
Working
at the Global Youth Village is a very rewarding experience. All positions
include room and board, medical and accident insurance (subject to specific
limitations), and laundry service. A modest stipend is negotiated, ranging
between $900-$1700 gross, depending on the position and length of employment.
(Staff are responsible for their own transportation costs.)
The training and skill development provided also attracts many volunteers.
Professional educators may find this training as a means to fulfill
continuing education requirements. (If currently enrolled in a degree
program, see the "Academic Credit" section below.)
ACADEMIC
CREDIT
Many
staff have earned graduate or undergraduate credit from their colleges
or universities for work at the Global Youth Village. If you would like
to receive credit, Legacy's administrative staff will work with you
and your academic advisor to design and monitor a learning program.
Staff interested in pursuing credit are responsible for making arrangements
with their institution, and for paying any additional tuition.
STAFF
TRAINING
All
staff participate in a 9-10 day training program that includes Legacy's
approaches in:
*
Human Relations: communication and counseling skills, group dynamics,
facilitation, problem solving, and conflict management skills;
*
Intercultural Relations: principles of intercultural relations, daily
life in a multicultural "village," discussions and action
projects addressing global issues; presentations of the arts and traditions
of various cultures;
*
Professional Skill Development: global education, experiential education;
*
Other Components: facility set-up, curriculum planning, risk management,
and orientation specific to individual responsibilities.
(For
those staying through the second session, staff will have a short break,
followed by training sessions, planning meetings and preparing the facility
for the new group of youths.)
"I liked
working at Legacy because of the close relationships that developed
between the members of the staff. Each staff member had a strong sense
of personal responsibility for working together as a team and making
the summer a success. The people at Legacy are always my favorite
part of being in Bedford, and while I worked on the kitchen staff
I learned a lot from my co-workers. Aside from practical knowledge
(I still make Mark's vegan cookies), I also learned a lot about working
in a close-knit team, and became better at working successfully in
challenging conditions (broken equipment, missing supplies, other
surprises)."
--
Leslie Grothaus, former participant & staff, Ohio, U.S.; university
student
FACILITIES,
AND DIET
The
Global Youth Village is located in the southwestern part of Virginia,
about a 4-5 hour drive southwest of Washington, D.C. It is situated
in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, on a beautiful 86-acre
wooded site with a stream, soccer field, basketball court, classroom
buildings, pool, outdoor stage, gardens, art studios and a dining facility.
Accommodations for counseling staff are in cabins with youth. Other
staff are housed in similar cabins, but with adult staff only. Centralized
bathhouses serve each cluster of cabins. Select program areas are air-conditioned.
Legacy serves a delicious vegetarian diet. Special dietary needs can
usually be met. Poultry entrees are served on rare occasions.
RECREATION
Program
and counseling staff participate in and are on duty during the cultural
festivals, discussions, sports and games, and talent nights. Support
staff are invited to join all activities as duties allow. There is a
staff lounge, open 24 hours a day. Computers with internet access are
also available for staff. Special staff events are organized on occasion
during the session such as pool parties, movie nights, and discussion
groups.
TIME
OFF
Each
staff member has scheduled time off a minimum of 12-18 hours per week,
at which time he or she may choose to explore the surrounding area.
In addition, staff have approximately 2 hours of discretionary time
daily. During this discretionary time, staff remain on-campus as many
positions entail 24-hour responsibilities. Some staff choose to do planning
work or nap. Others may meet a friend in the staff lounge, exercise,
or work on an art project.
The surrounding areas of Bedford, Roanoke and Campbell Counties offer
a variety of activities. The Global Youth Village is within easy driving
distance of the Blue Ridge Mountains (hiking, Appalachian culture),
Smith Mountain Lake (swimming, boating), New River Valley (rock-climbing,
tubing, rafting), and the cities of Roanoke & Lynchburg (shopping,
theaters, museums, restaurants).
DURING
PROGRAM DELIVERY, ALL STAFF PARTICIPATE IN THE FOLLOWING:
Meal
cleanup: Each staff member is assigned to a meal clean-up team once
a day, with some exceptions for support and administrative staff who
many have schedule conflicts.
Program
Support Functions: During staff training and throughout the session,
program and counseling staff (and some support staff) may be assigned
to fulfill various duties:
*
Assisting with select evening programs and activities during afternoon
free time period.
* Leading Community Service teams
* Making posters, signs, etc.
* Setting-up or striking set for evening programs
* Moving equipment & supplies, setting up for picnics, campfires,
special festivals
* Trips off campus to public transportation terminals or church services
* Assisting kitchen, housekeeping or maintenance staff
* Being part of staff team that goes to Washington, D.C. for international
arrivals and departures.
Close
of Season:
* Evaluating programs and procedures
* Cleaning cabins and work areas, preparing equipment and supplies for
storage
* Completing inventory reports, summaries, etc.
SPECIAL
INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:
Each
year, Legacy International's Global Youth Village hires approximately
5 international staff. International candidates fill out an application,
submit two reference forms, and are interviewed (both in-person and
by phone) before a final decision is made. People selected as staff
come to the United States as participants in the "Exchange Visitors
Program," which follows certain guidelines specified by the United
States Department of State.
Legacy
hires international staff through one of two methods: it's own Exchange
Visitors (J-1) program or through similar programs run by BUNAC (Bunacamp),
Camp America, Camp Counselors USA and others, which provide counselors
for summer programs across the U.S. In most situations, Legacy hires
staff directly, rather then having the potential staff member apply
through a third party.
The
terms set by the U.S. government for Exchange Visitors include the following:
-- You
will receive a J 1 visa, which permits you to work in the U.S. as a
camp counselor and receive a small amount of financial support.
-- You are permitted to travel in the U.S. for up to 30 days after completing
your placement at the camp.
-- You must return to your home country at the end of the allotted time
period. It is extremely difficult to extend J-1 visas. Requests for
extensions must be made directly to the U.S. Immigration & Naturalization
Service. Legacy has no influence or connections in granting such requests.
Legacy's
Program Benefits: Benefits are the same for all staff, with some
minor additions for international staff traveling from abroad. All positions
include room and board, medical and accident insurance (subject to specific
limitations), and laundry service. A modest stipend is negotiated, ranging
between $900-$1700 gross, depending on the position and length of employment.
(Staff are responsible for their own transportation costs, whether traveling
from abroad or near by.) Legacy assists international staff to obtain
their visas, reimbursing for any embassy fees associated with obtaining
the J-1 visa, but does not reimburse any travel cost incurred in securing
the visa.
In
rare instances, Legacy may hire through other programs, such as BUNAC,
ICEP, Camp Counselors USA, ICCP, and Camp America. Each program has
its own terms and procedures. In general, the applying staff member
pays a fee that covers part of the administrative and/or transportation
costs, receives room & board from the host camp (Legacy), and receives
a stipend. Legacy and the program will help you get your visa.
The
net financial results, whether you travel under Legacy's or some other
program, is approximately the same.
Additional
information is available and will be sent to you if you are selected
to be a staff member at the Global Youth Village.
